Toilet paper, butter, eggs, and gasoline?

In our grandparents' day, hoarding was not unusual. Many older persons still hoarded even after restrictions of WWII were lifted. WWII babies growing up in hoarding families continued the practice, creating mini "stores" on basement shelving. In the 1960s, my father bought canned goods at the cheapest prices, along with jar goods--peanut butter, jam, and jelly. He had watched his parents' hoarding, and followed suit. Once started, making a food stock seems difficult to stop. "What if prices go higher?" "What if weather, finances, or war causes another shortage?" These questions terrify many Americans who are used to fresh foods available at every corner store or super-super discount stores.


Now, we can add gasoline to the list of commodities people are willing to hoard. In fact, the AP reports the first (known) case of a couple hoarding a substantial amount of gas-- 45 gallons (170 liters) to be exact. They stored it in plastic jugs stacked in a closet. Unfortunately, the closet also held an air conditioner compressor. When gas fumes built within the unventilated small area, a fire erupted.


In the residential complex of eight units, no one was injured, thankfully. But fire, smoke and water damage forced all the families to stay elsewhere. Besides disrupting and irritating their neighbors, the couple may be charged with violating local fire codes. Apparently, homeowners and renters can keep a small amount of paint, varnish, gasoline or other flammables if stored properly, but 45 gallons of gasoline is far beyond the limits.


At current local prices, their cache worth $180.00 cost them (likely) $110,000.00 or more (my rough estimate). Their prized hoarding cost them 70-80 times the current market value of gas. The AP didn't say whether the gaswas high-octane at 4.50 a gallon.


To me, the point is clear: If you've got some extra money to stock up, it's best to stick with toilet paper and canned goods. Stay away from perishables--especially gasoline.



Judith

Source: "Apartment fire caused by couple hoarding gasoline" (AP). [Two line URL]http://realestate.aol.com/article/news/_a/apartment-fire-caused-by-couple-hoarding/20080606085209990001?ncid=AOLCOMMre00dynlsec0003