Saturday 7 August 2010

Epic Feats of Frugality: Fish Fillet Millionaire



Tight Fist Legend

Want to become a millionaire? Conventional wisdom says you'll have to be a rock star, sell lots of drugs, or (shudder) work long hours in a suit to achieve this goal. But no, you can be an ordinary working stiff and save millions with pure Tight Fisting. Today our inspiration comes from Verna Oller a Tight Fist extraordinaire from the American heartland who worked an hourly job filleting fish her whole life yet managed so save 4.5 million. (Ok, it also helps the she was a savvy investor.) Here is the story from ABC.

I don't really have much to add to the story, but let me call your attention to a few key points:

  • Verna never went to a hairdresser- she always cut her own hair. (Maybe she read Tight Fist Tip #19)
  • She did all her clothes shopping at thrift stores. (Tight Fist Tip #29)
  • When her shoelaces broke, she replaced them with a zipper from an old coat.
  • She cut her own firewood until she was 90.
  • Although Verna was making millions trading stocks, she read the day-old newspaper from her neighbor since she didn't want to pay for her own subscription.
What a legend! Verna Ollie, on behalf of all Tight Fisters around the world, I salute you. You are a true inspiration.

3 comments:

  1. ... she looks pretty good for 90. I'm surprised the Tight Fist isn't hittin' on that treasure chest!

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  2. She does look great, actually.

    Are you sure she's not diving off the deep end of frugality there? A zipper?

    Still, very inspiring!

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  3. typical responses....saluting extremism......u folks can never stick to a budget because it is always about feast or famine....

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