Forty bucks

Growing up in Port Stephens, the local newspaper was "The Examiner". It was pretty typical fare. What I liked about it was that you could put an ad in the classifieds for free. The catch being that the item(s) had to be $40 or under.

I'm sure I wasn't the only person who knowingly sold stuff for less than it was worth just to fit it into this section. Like a stack of regular "Mad" magazines and specials. Those were purchased while the paper was still hot off the press by a man who claimed they were for his nephew.

And like an Atari 2600 with two joysticks and half a dozen cartridges. Can't remember who nabbed that bargain.

And like a hard-ridden Cobra BMX. Funnily enough, it went to a mate's younger brother who wasn't aware I wanted to sell it 'til he saw the gratis advert. But not before he got me to do a little work on the bike.

He expected a lot for his $40, that kid. I blame "The Examiner".