for years a I drove all over to get the cheapest gas. Then one day, trying to defend myself, I showed someone else that I'd saved... wait now... 10cents per fill-up for each penny.

it'd have to be 10cents per gallon lower to save ONE DOLLAR.

If my time is worth $60 per hour, or $1 per minute, then if it takes 10 minutes to find the lower priced gas then I'd need to save $10 to be worth it. Or $1 less per gallon.

See I don't see this being silly. You've already spent the money on the toothpaste, so you may as well get _all_ of it. Unless of course, you sprain your thumbs to the point of needing to spend other money to help them feel better.

I decided not to pay the $50 parking ticket online because of the $3 convenience charge, instead taking the time to write out a check and walk to the post office and buy a $.44 stamp. But at least I picked up a few other things while I was in the square.

I will agonize over signing up for some online service that costs $9/month, but have no problems going out to dinner or lunch 5-6 times a week (at $9-$20 a pop).

Read "Predictably Irrational" by Dan Ariely. It discusses some of these effects at the intersection of economics and psychology. Like how effective just saying something is "Free" can be in getting people to behave how you want them to behave. Great book.

What he said.

I shop for clothes (mine and the kids') at tag sales, and buying anything clothing-related at retail feels like having my teeth pulled.

Yet I think nothing of spending $60 on a restaurant meal I'll never use again.

Go figure.