I stopped at a Coke machine at a shopping center where Cokes are fifty cents. When I put in two quarters and selected my Coke, the machine spit out a Coke and a Sprite.
In the WM parking lot right at my feet lay a nickel and a penny. Of course, I bent over and picked them up. Since they were right next to the electric cart I was about to get on in the parking lot, I held the cart to be able to bend free of pain.
Last week, I decided to get three more bags of PictSweet frozen vegetables. The next morning, I looked at the receipt. I spent $7+ instead of $3! So, back to the store I went and got back $4.14. Instead of paying $1 for each bag, I paid $2.38 each, the regular price. The same woman made the same mistake as last week when I overpaid by $11 on a $27 receipt. This is getting old and is a not-so-small economy.
Gas is now $1.81/gallon. I remember the times in the early 1990s when I was upset if gas rose to over $1/gallon.
Your turn
Do you have a place that sells soft drinks from a machine that only takes two quarters? And, you do pick up change? Is gas low where you live? What small economies have come your way?
Unleaded Regular gas is USD 5.31/gallon here. And no, my math is right. Us, Turks are using the most expensive gas in the world just because the Government likes the high taxes. Thankfully, I am driving a company car with all the costs paid by the company. When I fully retire, I doubt if I will own a car. Renting when a car is needed could be a lot more wiser especially, if I keep on living where I do.
ReplyDeleteT'Pol,
DeleteThat price boggles the mind. You are lucky to have a company car. Is your neighborhood walkable? I may have nightmares over that price.
Regular unleaded is $2.35 a gallon in my neck of the woods. I rarely drink soda so never pay attention to soda machines.
ReplyDeleteOne,
DeleteI am not sure if that is really low for you. But, it is high for here. I don't do it because I am trying to stay upright, but you could check for left change.
No soda machines that take 2 quarters. Most are $1.
ReplyDeleteAlways pick up change, even Canadian - we have a lot of Canadian snowbirds. However, there are rarely coins to pick up. I think it's because I live in a county with a high percentage of over 65 with incomes bordering on poverty level and we account for every penny.
Gas locally is $2.09 but we have an electric car and use no more than a couple of gallons a month.
Small economies - none that I can think of off hand. But, after reviewing our June shopping receipts I think we're going to stop shopping off Amazon. Way too easy to say "that's a great deal" on something we really don't need. That would probably qualify as a big economy for us.
Bellen,
DeleteThis machine is in front of a store with more people who are poor, yet someone leaves money in the change cup or on the ground. Not often, but enough to encourage checking. I am sure the Amazon savings would be a large economy.
The drink machines are all fifty-cents. I think the Sam's club drinks are a quarter. Then, there is the grocery store I mentioned for two quarters and two machines in town that are three quarters--75 cents.
I paid 1.92 a gallon yesterday.
ReplyDeleteThe Pig near me has 50 cent drinks, but I am unsure if it takes ones or just two quarters. I will have to look when I go there next time.
Anne,
DeleteAll my cheap places take quarters and ones.
At the moment we are paying $1.10 per litre for gas, it was about this price briefly last year but for quite a few years now it has been closer to $1.30 or even $1.50 so I filled my tank and hope it lasts.
ReplyDeleteI have had two client meetings in a cafe and the client paid both times which is only a small economy but much appreciated
kylie,
DeleteThat is very expensive! Yes, any small economy is great. I do appreciate the small economies, even if it is a free coke or six cents.
I am very bad at watching these things. I need to improve.
ReplyDeleteurspo,
DeleteCatching mistakes means money to me. I have little, so I watch.
Gas ( petrol ) here in Yorkshire, England, is $6 a gallon!
ReplyDeleteEnjoying your blog very much. X