Man has been saving up pennies for 45 years – Bank tellers are at a loss for words when he arrives to cash in

“Penny saved is a penny earned” is a saying that people who are good at managing their finances believe to be true.

Otha Anders, a former teacher from Louisiana, had been collecting pennies for a very long time. It all started as a goal of collecting pennies he would find on the street, and it soon turned into a passion he couldn’t say no to. Over the course of 45 years, this man had managed to fill in 15 5-gallon jugs of change before he finally decided to cash the pennies in 2015 when his homeowner’s insurance stopped covering the collection.

Source: YouTube Screenshot/ watchJojo

Speaking of his achievement which left the clerks at the bank totally stunned, Anders told ABC News: “If I would see a penny when I’m gassing up, on the ground, or in a store, it would be a reminder to stop right there and say a prayer. I never failed to do that. That’s why they had so much value to me.

“I would never spend a penny,” he told USA Today. “I would break a dollar before giving up a penny.

“I wanted to fill five five-gallon water jugs. That was the goal, but I couldn’t stop. … If I hadn’t turned them in yesterday, I was not going to stop,” he said.

Source: YouTube Screenshot/ watchJojo

Everyone who knows Anders knew of his passion and his collection. Even the kids at the school where he worked. He would sometimes buy pennies from them, but he would never take, not even a single one, without paying for it.

“I never allowed anyone, not even my wife nor children, to give me pennies without being compensated,” he told USA Today. “I wanted the inner satisfaction that God and I acquired this collection.”

Source: YouTube Screenshot/ watchJojo

When he arrived at the Ruston Origin Bank in Ruston, Louisiana, the staff welcomed him in and were more than happy to assist him. For his stunning collection of pennies, Anders got $5,136.14.

Source: YouTube Screenshot/ watchJojo

Take a look at the video below to learn more about Anders and his collection.

How should you react to survive when you suddenly fall into deep water without knowing how to swim?

Falling into deep water unexpectedly can be a terrifying experience, especially if you don’t know how to swim. Panic sets in, your instincts tell you to struggle, and before you know it, you’re exhausted and in real danger. However, survival in such a situation is entirely possible if you remain calm and follow a set of simple but life-saving steps.

According to Dr. Nash and his team of researchers, the key to survival is overcoming fear instincts and following five crucial steps. These steps are designed to help anyone—regardless of swimming ability—stay afloat, breathe, and increase their chances of rescue. Let’s dive into these life-saving techniques.

1. Stay Calm and Relax to Achieve Natural Buoyancy

The first and most critical step is to fight the urge to struggle. Many people instinctively flail their arms and legs in a desperate attempt to stay above water. However, this only wastes energy and causes faster exhaustion.

Instead, take a deep breath and allow your body to relax. When you stop panicking, your body will naturally float closer to the water’s surface. The human body is slightly less dense than water, meaning that if you remain still, you can achieve buoyancy without much effort.

2. Tilt Your Head Back to Keep Your Airway Clear

Once you’ve calmed yourself and started floating, you need to ensure that you can breathe. The best way to do this is to tilt your head back, keeping your face above the water.

Try not to move too much, as sudden movements can make you sink slightly. If you feel yourself going under, resist the urge to panic—simply take a deep breath, relax your muscles, and allow yourself to rise again.

Video : How to Survive if You Fall in Water – Prevent Yourself From Drowning – Survival Techniques

3. Breathe Slowly and Avoid Inhaling Water

Now that your nose and mouth are above water, it’s time to focus on breathing. Many people instinctively gasp for air, but this can lead to choking if water splashes into your mouth. Instead, practice controlled breathing:

  • Exhale slowly through your nose to clear any water that may have entered.
  • Inhale through your mouth in a controlled manner.
  • If a wave covers your face, hold your breath momentarily, then resume normal breathing.

Even experienced swimmers can struggle if they inhale water, so maintaining steady breathing is crucial for survival.

4. Move Your Arms and Legs Gently to Stay Afloat

At this point, you should be floating on the water’s surface and breathing steadily. The next step is to use gentle, controlled movements to maintain your position.

  • Use slow arm movements: Move your arms in a sweeping motion, like you’re making small circles in the water. This will help you stay afloat without expending too much energy.
  • Legs should remain still if you don’t know how to kick properly: If you’re unsure how to tread water, keeping your legs still is often better than kicking randomly. Let them sink slightly while focusing on keeping your upper body above water.

The key here is to avoid frantic movements—slow and deliberate strokes will keep you afloat much longer.

5. Look for Rescue Opportunities

Once you’ve gained control of your breathing and movements, your next priority is finding a way to safety.

  • Scan your surroundings – Look for anything floating that you can grab onto, such as a buoy, a log, or even a piece of debris. Holding onto something will help you conserve energy.
  • Check your distance from the shore – If you can see land, assess whether it’s possible to move toward it using slow, steady movements.
  • Signal for help – If there are people nearby, shout for help. However, conserve energy by calling out only when necessary.

If you’re caught in a strong current, do not try to swim directly against it—this will only tire you out. Instead, swim diagonally at an angle to gradually move out of the current’s pull.

What to Do If You See Someone Drowning

If you witness someone struggling in deep water, it’s important to act quickly but safely. Jumping in to rescue them may seem like the right thing to do, but unless you’re a trained rescuer, it could put both of you at risk.

Instead, follow these steps:

  1. Shout instructions – Encourage the person to follow the survival steps above. Remind them to relax, tilt their head back, and float.
  2. Find a flotation device – If possible, throw a life jacket, a rope, or any floating object they can grab onto.
  3. Call emergency services – Immediately contact your local emergency number and provide details of the situation.

Video : How to get over fear of water – Feel safe on the deep end

Why Staying Calm is the Key to Survival

Many drowning incidents occur not because the victim physically sinks, but because they panic and exhaust themselves. Learning how to override panic instincts and follow a survival routine can mean the difference between life and death.

Dr. Nash explains:

“Whether you’re planning a vacation, taking a walk near a river, or going for a swim, knowing how to stay safe in water is crucial. These simple survival techniques can save your life or someone else’s.”

Final Thoughts

Surviving a fall into deep water without knowing how to swim is possible—but only if you remain calm and follow the right steps. By floating, maintaining steady breathing, and making slow movements, you can conserve energy and increase your chances of rescue.

Now that you know these survival strategies, share them with your friends and family. You never know when this knowledge might save a life!

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