Got No Dough - Saving Money in Slim Times

I guess it happened in several places across the U.S. but last Thursday, our local radio station (99.1 KGGI) gave away free gas paid for by Verizon Yellowpages. The first 200 people got $40 in free gas.

Well, as it turned out, it was in the same city that my husband works. So, he dropped me off for work and after playing with the kids for awhile, he ventured off for some free gas. He got there at about 8:30 am.

The Redlands Police Department kept things in great order from what I hear. Each car got a piece of paper with a number on it that went in the windshield. My husband was number 38. Then, when they got to number 200, the line was cut off with a police car.

My husband only waited 2 1/2 hours to get his gas and it exactly filled our tank. The only other thing he would have been doing during this time was practicing an instrument, so there was really no time lost. While he waited he got to meet the morning DJ Jeff Pope. We love to listen to him and Evelyn every morning during our commute.

On the other hand, there are some people who taking frugality to a new level and lack a little common sense. Rumor has it that there was someone at this event that drove about 75 miles to come and get free gas. If I do a little calculating and say they get 25 miles per gallon, that means they spent 6 gallons to drive there and back (assuming no traffic). And again, for the sake of simplicity, we’ll say gas is $4 a gallon (I think it was a little over at the time). That means that it cost $24 for this trip, leaving them with only $16 in free gas. I guess that’s still not a bad deal. Oh wait, I forgot to mention one thing. THEY WERE HOLDING THE SAME EVENT IN THE CITY THIS PERSON CAME FROM!

So please, while it is WONDERFUL to be frugal and get free gas, please think it through before you take part in an event like this. Please don’t wait 12 hours in line (like someone else did) and please don’t drive half way across creation and waste your time and free gas.