I was stopped for speeding and passing in a no-pass zone in Costa Rica (at least it was a no-pass zone according to the police office). He told me it was typically a combined 50,000 colones fine ($100) at the courthouse, but he'd let me off for 30,000 and could take the money and do the paperwork without the trip into town.
I opened my wallet with 20,000 (the rest was in my pants pocket) and told him that was all I had. He took it, smiled, and told me to have a nice day.