Just like Cresta said <read my signature>, and he's got that creativity!
Cresta
with $3049 left.
Many of you got 3000+, so that was a close call. For a moment I was thinking there would be a tie between sendai45 and markmadras 3035 solutions, so I made a 3047 POC, then Cresta stormed in with his excellent $46 catcher. I'm also glad some of you weren't shy to post your not-so-cheap solutions, they are always more interesting than the stressful ubertweaked ones You should also check out mx781's apt cloth bug, which generates perpetual motion (the solution is over 200 secs, so be patient)
Thank you for your submissions and congratulations to the winner!