Gold panners. I had an uncle that did that in Idaho.
That Gold Fever is no joke. Those idiot prospectors will spend a summer burning up $2000 in gas traveling to and from their 'claim' and powering their generators and dredges.

...then completely cream their jeans over 3 pinpoint sized flakes at the bottom of their pan like they just hit the mother lode.

Fuel -$2000.00
Food -$500.00
Equipment -$3000.00
Divorce -$75000.00
Value of gold +0.01