I STILL have the 40 cup coffee pot I bought with S&H or Blue Chip Stamps - and it still works! My DH's mom made her 3 boys put the stamps in the books if they stayed home from school sick. That was enough to keep them well.
Oh - and he and his pals used to catch fire flies in a mayonaise jar and release them in the theater at the Saturday matinee. ONE guy would pay to get in and open the side door for the rest of them. I think they had enough money and just liked the thrill of sneaking in.