Gas prices are dropping. And in Wisconsin Rapids, for a few hours, they were dirt cheap. By accident.
It's made the national news wires: On Monday, a gas station here accidentally programmed their gas to be 34.9 cents per gallon instead of $3.49. So a person gases up, realizes the mistake, calls a friend and they gas up, too.
The station owner estimated 30 to 40 customers fueled up at the incorrect price — between 200 and 300 gallons worth — for about 90 minutes. Did no one think that they should tell the manager? Apparently, when it comes to getting cheap gas, no one has a guilty conscience. We deserve it, right? I'm just glad that for the moment -- and I say moment because it could be changing as I type -- that the prices have dropped a bit.
When we saw yesterday that gas prices had dipped below $3 a gallon (for real), Carter says, "Man, they're giving it away!" I don't think he realizes Daddy is sarcastic when he says that!
How did we get brainwashed into thinking gas under $3 is a bargain? It doesn't seem that long ago when gas was sitting at $2.25 and hubby and I (who commute 45 mile to work) said, "If gas ever gets close to $3, we better consider moving or getting new jobs." Then, bam! We're suddenly inching our way to $4.
I feel like this old-timer talking about gas under $2 in the good ol' days. Of course, after getting my dreadful 401K statement in the mail yesterday, I will be an old-timer -- very old -- before I can retire! Sheesh! Things sure were different back in the day...
Way over and up here in NW Wisconsin where we only get Minnesota news channels, your Wis Rapids story about the cheap gas made the 5 o'clock news. I wonder what would I do if I drove up to the pump and saw 34.9 cents? Fill 'er up please!!
ReplyDeleteNo, I think I would ?? and I am hoping I would be the party pooper and tell management!! I only have an IRA passbook with little in it -but Rick's 401K I know took a real nosedive- it's scary. Just 9 months ago we felt good about him being able to retire at age 70, now we don't know. Now where can i find that info on planning for your funeral, so it's paid for b/4 I die? Okay, Robyn - this wasn't "on the Light Side"! Love, Romey