This happened a few years ago when gasoline was over $4 per gallon. I was on my way home from work and I noticed my gas tank was on E. I stopped at a gas station about halfway between my work and home.

When I reached over to get my purse, I realized it wasn't where it's supposed to be. I searched the whole vehicle and realized that I had completely forgotten my purse in my locker at work. In the midst of my mad searching I had managed to find some loose change under car seats and in the cup holder.

I gathered up all the loose change and went inside to prepay for my gasoline. I had less than $4, so it wasn't even going to buy one gallon. I just hoped I could get enough gas in the vehicle to make it home.

You can imagine the look on the clerk's face when I laid my hand full of change on the counter and said that I wanted to buy gasoline for pump number 3. He said, "seriously?!" I told him I'd forgotten my purse and this was all the change I could find in the car. At that point the guy behind me in line reached forward and handed me a $10 bill.

Honestly, it hadn't even occurred to me to ask anybody for help. I told the guy that if he would give me his contact information that I would pay him back the next day. He waved off the offer of repayment and told me just to pay it forward the next time I saw somebody else in need.

Since that day I have bought gasoline for 4 other strangers that were struggling. I also pass along the message that when they are able they should pay it forward.