“The world’s thriftiest millionaire” digs through trash to find food. Illustrative photo from Unsplash
Although he owns nine properties and has a sizable bank account, German Heinz B., 80, chooses to live off food found in trash cans.
Nicknamed “the most thrifty millionaire in the world”, Heinz B. may have only 15 euros ($16.25) in his current account, following the withdrawal of 700,000 euros to acquire his 10th property. He keeps an extra 100,000 euros in a term savings account, reports the sun.
Finding joy in scavenging food from trash and picking up discarded items, Heinz B. believes in a life of frugality, saying he doesn’t need money to be happy.
Residing in Darmstadt, Germany, Heinz B. first attracted media attention in 2021 for seven houses and two apartments and had around 500,000 euros in his bank account. In three years, he expanded his portfolio to ten properties, thanks to his savings.
The retired electrical engineer, former senior telecommunications official, lives on a pension totaling 3,756 euros. Yet he spends less than 5 euros per month on groceries, his only other expense being the Internet connection for his laptop.
Heinz, with no immediate family or siblings, is uncertain about the future of his estate. Although he has distant relatives, he points out that they would not be able to pay the inheritance tax.
