How I made $4 buying pants

I love how my brother never lets his wife get away with saying that she saved him money by buying something.  He always says, "Cool, let me check the bank account and see how much it went up!"  Obviously, you don't save or earn money while you spend it- except for me!  Yep, that's right, I have a gift!  If only I used it more often, we would be rich!

While we were in Garmisch- oh so long ago- we went to the PX there and they were having a sale on their Jack Wolfskin and Columbia summer things.  It was the end of the season, after all.  I found some Jack Wolfskin capri's that were originally $58 for 30% off- not bad.  We also bought Emma this Jack Wolfskin hat (I think it was also 30% off and originally around $30).

We got a whole bag of other things like shampoo and candy.  Our total was right around $50.  Hmm, I thought.  I looked at the receipt and there were no pants on there.  I took it back and the lady thought I was changing my mind about the pants.  "No," I informed her, "I didn't pay for them.  I need to pay for them."  She was duly impressed that I took the time to bring them back and pay.  She looked over the receipt and said, "No, you did pay for them.  They are right here, see?"  Sure enough, there was the number code from the pants on the receipt next to some thing that said $8.  Now I am no mathematician, but I can tell you off the top of my head that 30% of $58 is not $8!  I tried to argue with her, but then she explained with some complicated assumptions that if I wanted to return the pants, I would get $4 back.  I can't even imagine how she came up with that number!  So, in the end, I walked away with a pair of very nice pants and at least $4 more in my bank account.  I'm telling you, if it happens again, I am dubbing it my super power!