4 amusing money fails

People often do stupid things when they are trying to save money.

Here are a few amusing tales that gave me a chuckle and made me remember some basic money lessons.

1. Texas man rescued from chimney said he was trying to save money

Deputy Fire Marshal Robert Loveless tells the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (http://bit.ly/sb4ZlD ) that the man and his family were locked out of their house. Loveless says the man, wanting to save the price of a locksmith, decided to enter the house through the chimney as his wife and child waited outside around 1 a.m. Monday…Fire officials say they had to hoist the 22-year-old man by rope from the chimney of his house in southwest Lubbock early Monday.

Lesson: in an emergency, bite the bullet and call for help.

2. Police: Man fakes $5 robbery to avoid fight with wife

Sutton provided officers a description of the robber and said $5 had been taken from him. Detective Larry Boren investigated the crime and found the information about the robbery was not true, the release said. Police believe Sutton had voluntarily given a homeless man $5 and lied about it to prevent an argument with his spouse about giving money away.

Sutton, 23, was charged with making a false report. He was booked in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

Lesson: lying to your spouse about money often ends poorly

3. DIY backfiring: fixing leaky refrigerator

My refrigerator sprung a leak when the ice machine broke in my house. Instead of hiring a professional, we sopped up the water and tried to tinker with the refrigerator ourselves. It leaked several more times, damaging the wall behind the refrigerator and cracking a few of the tiles. About two years later, I noticed mold inside the kitchen cabinet and warped cabinet wood near the leaky refrigerator. Total cost of the flub: $1,700.

Lesson: know your limits with do it yourself projects, and pay for professional help

4. Thief gets caught trying to save his victim a buck

A man who police say used a stolen credit card to make an $11 purchase tripped himself up when he pulled out a store discount card in his own name and had the store clerk scan it to save some money.

Rubin was charged with third-degree identity theft, illegal use of a credit card, receipt of illegal goods, sixth-degree larceny and two counts of credit card theft.

Lesson: illegal activity will catch up to you