Anders’ hobby of collecting pennies started as a fun activity but grew into an obsession. He believed every penny he found was a sign from God to be grateful. “I became convinced that spotting a lost or dropped penny was an additional God-given incentive reminding me to always be thankful,” Anders told USA Today. On days he forgot to pray, a penny would often appear, reminding him to be grateful.

For 45 years, Anders saved pennies, guessing he had collected hundreds of thousands of dollars. The bank employees spent five hours cutting open the jugs and counting the coins. In the end, Anders had saved $5,136.14, averaging about $114.40 per year.

Anders used the money to settle a dental bill, sponsor a family trip, and make donations to his church.