Spare Change

[ws23rt]

For years I've struggled with spending my coins. When in a checkout line I want to move and I still use cash for those transactions. In order to get it done I spend paper money. The result of this is I accumulate coins.

So here I am again with the task of cashing in the cash. The first time I did this I had $1700 in coins This time it was only $1200.

One thing of (some) value is I have found the average mix of coins (spending only paper money) equals $10.72 per pound. (the way I counted it). So I've cashed in over 270 lbs. in about 20 years. While not exactly like taking out the trash it is indeed a chore.

I'm not yet fully using a card for all transactions but am close.  I do however tell those asking for money that I no longer use cash and also have paid much in taxes for them already.---It soon will be true that I give up using cash.--- and a few dimes.

[polywideblock]

so how long until homeless start carrying  EFTPOS machines 

[kab69440]

I've bought several nice things with accumulated change. I put a wraparound diner booth and display shelves in my breakfast nook. I bought and fixed up a golf cart. The last time I cashed it all in, I bought a pickup. I cashed in some more last year to buy and install a 9' Knapheide service body. As soon as I have enough for a crane and outrigger setup, I'll be golden. I bought a huge gun vault last summer. The stuff really adds up quick. Before I scrapped my old Camaro daily beater, I cleaned just shy of $280 out of the console. I have to wrap it as I go, though.Banks will take a healthy amount of vigorish for themselves if they have to run it through their counter/ sorter.

[Lord Warlock]

I collect it in a jar, and when it fills up I take it in and cash it in.  Only difference is now I just pour it into a machine at the grocery store and it spits out a receipt minus a fee for counting it, I would have paid that much in an atm fee so don't complain much.  Haven't bought anything important with change though, usually just gets turned back into cash and I use it as needed.

[TCB]

I always try to spend my extra change during a cash transaction (to the exact amount) without accumulating any extra coins.  I really don't like to keep coins.

So I guess I'm the complete opposite...... I find a way to pay the exact amount at every transaction to avoid having extra coins in my pocket.

I also start the day with remaining coins from the day before - just to get rid of them.  Its an old Polish thing, but I figure I won't be losing money this way.  

I'd rather collect paper.  

Anyone else spend their coins this way or am I the minority? 

[polywideblock]

you aught to try it over here where we have $1 and $2 coins to add to the mix   

[TCB]

I'd be spending those bastards in a heartbeat! 

[JB400]

Got to have something to use in the vending machines.

[Paul G]

I am with TCB. I try to spend down the pocket change whenever possible. Having no change in my pocket is the goal. Like a game I play by myself.

Recently though I got a Southwest credit card that pays back in points to use for air travel. I have been using that card for everything. The wave of the future?

[b5blue]

  I'm down to a plastic tub about 4"X6" in size. As it fills I grab a hand full of change to use up so never empty or full. It use to be emergency fund for my kids, they would hint around about being broke and get "the tub" now and again. (Just this little tub could hold over 50.00 easy.) 

[wingcar]

Many times when you try to use a couple of coins to "even out" the transaction...it totally throws off the kid behind the counter.  It seems as if a lot of today's generation can't count in their head anymore...if the machine doesn't tell them what to give back...they are lost.   Without a calculator ....they can't function.

[TCB]

Many times when you try to use a couple of coins to "even out" the transaction...it totally throws off the kid behind the counter.  It seems as if a lot of today's generation can't count in their head anymore...if the machine doesn't tell them what to give back...they are lost.   Without a calculator ....they can't function.

So true.  Many times I have to tell them how much change I'm supposed to get back.  The blank stare is priceless!

[twodko]

Back in the day I would put all my change in one of those big
5 gallon water jugs. Once filled off it would go to the bank.
I began using other banks too because my bank would grown
when they saw me lug in a bottle.
Then I started using those "coin sort" machine at supermarkets.
That was easy but time consuming. As I got older and those jugs
became heavier I began leaving pennys at the register for someone
else short of a few and spending any coins I have as quickly
as possible. 

[Paul G]

Many times when you try to use a couple of coins to “even out” the transaction…it totally throws off the kid behind the counter.  It seems as if a lot of today’s generation can’t count in their head anymore…if the machine doesn’t tell them what to give back…they are lost.   Without a calculator ….they can’t function.

All the more reason to do it. If they didnt learn in school they will learn in the real world. Practice makes perfect.

[Old Moparz]

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[ws23rt]

Many times when you try to use a couple of coins to "even out" the transaction...it totally throws off the kid behind the counter.  It seems as if a lot of today's generation can't count in their head anymore...if the machine doesn't tell them what to give back...they are lost.   Without a calculator ....they can't function.

This is one of my biggest beefs with trying to make it simple for the checker and me. -- As an example lets' say I have a total of $16.05. I hand the checker a twenty and a dime. I would get a quizzical look about why I'm giving him the dime.

Sometimes a transaction like this stopped. And I would have to say (for the sake of this example) just enter $20.10 and see what the computer says is the change.

The reason I don't like to dig in my pocket for correct change is half the time I come up short after fumbling with the coins and need to go for the next paper money anyway.

I remember a very old woman in front of me at check out one time. She was making change from a squeeze purse. She needed to find a dime and three or four penny's as I recall. She would pinch the coin pouch and find what ever coin her bony fingers could grasp and put it on the counter. This would be repeated until there was enough coins to satisfy the tab. In this case all I could do was smile and was in no way irritated by the delay. It was just so sweet to watch this.

When I think of my 112 lbs. of coins I remember that wonderful old woman and her bony fingers finding the proper coins for her purchase.

For me spending paper gets me out of the line and on my way. BTW I have spent plenty of time waiting for someone in front of me trying to make the card reader work.  The fumbling with miss entering codes or pin's can and do take more time than counting coins.

[warmpancakes]

Many times when you try to use a couple of coins to "even out" the transaction...it totally throws off the kid behind the counter.  It seems as if a lot of today's generation can't count in their head anymore...if the machine doesn't tell them what to give back...they are lost.   Without a calculator ....they can't function.

if you really want to bring a taco bell to a screaming halt, hand a cashier a 2.00 bill.  

[Green71R/T]

when doing a cash transaction i always have all my loose change in my hand so when the total comes up i know if i have the correct amount to make a transaction easier. i hate it when people fumble for exact change. i also stopped receiving pennies 15 years before canada stopped producing that useless coin. around here leaving change in your car is a good way to encourage repeated break ins.

[John_Kunkel]

  Went to the welding supply this morning; the tab was $11.84 and I had 94 cents in change. Walked in leaning a little to the left (my change pocket's there) and walked out upright. 

[stripedelete]

I grab a giant random handful before heading to the grocery store and exact my revenge on the annoying self  checkout machine.   For some strange reason it makes me feel good.   

[Bandit72]

my kids get most of mine, I usually keep afew silver pieces just in case but other than that my 3 year old is in heaven putting them in her "piggy bank"