Pluggers by Rick McKee for May 06, 2020

When I carry change, I usually carry all the other denominations (if there’s not a big pile to fit into my wallet’s built-in coin pocket) and only four pennies; I keep extra pennies in a jar.

Here in Canada, we got rid of pennies!

When I was out in public I had mostly given up carrying change except on the way home. I have a half-filled mayonaise jar here at home.

Money is Money … Remember the Superman movie and what Richard did ;-)

And I must add,….’ And is utterly oblivious to the people waiting in line behind‘.

Have to get rid of change from time to time. Otherwise I start to list to the left (that’s where I keep the change I get if I don’t use exact change.)

Google – “Chawly changer”

I get behind that person every time…..

We need to ditch the penny, nickel, half dollar coins, and paper dollars. It takes a quarter to get a gumball and full-sized candy bars are a buck or more.

Pluggers have a way of taking the “speed” out of “Speedy checkout.”

There are places in the US that no longer take any cash (although I don’t really think this is legal). I was surprised at the Huston Airport when our next flight was postponed because none of the shops or restaurants took cash. I really hate having to use plastic to buy a bottle of water (even if it cost several dollars). In my old-fashioned way, I find it easiest to write checks or pay cash because when I am doing that, I am aware of the money I am spending. When I push a credit card into a machine, I don’t have that same awareness.

Instead of fumbling for change, I just round up to the nearest whole dollar and dump the change I get in a change jar at home. Use it to buy special things for the wife when it get full.

I tell them to keep the pennies. We should kill the penny.

And.. those plugger cashiers know how to count out your change as well instead of just handing over a handful

Cashiers appreciate exact change. It makes their work a bit easier and I have received many thank-you’s for doing so. To be fair, I keep my change in one place and don’t fumble around for it so as to hold up the line behind me.

“The cashier needs the change more than I do.”

I rarely count out the exact amount anymore, on the rare occasion I pay in cash, that is. Mostly my change goes in a jar that gets cashed in once a year or so.

Good one, Benard

Bypassing the middleman – MeisterCard

I used to have a lot of coins, but instead of cashing them in at the bank, I made a practice of spending the coins until they were mostly gone. Then I switched to plastic for everything, so I get no more change. I use my watch wherever Apple Pay is accepted, and my phone most other places. As a last resort, I get a card out of my billfold. Right now, I have a bunch of gift cards for a restaurant, so I may have to start ordering takeout, since I won’t eat in there until a vaccine is available.

The pennies are important for local and state taxes. Maryland would take the hit if they had to go back down to 5% rather than 6%. I guess they could always just jump to 10% tax. Alcohol is already at 9%.