currency

New $5 bill starts circulating today

Posted 9 weeks 1 day ago by Philip Brewer

The new $5 enters circulation today with a ceremonial "first spend" at the gift shop of President Lincoln’s Cottage at the Soldiers’ Home in Washington, D.C. The various Federal Reserve Banks will also start providing new $5 bills as they fill orders for cash from banks. Some banks should have them in a matter of days, although it'll probably be several weeks before you start seeing them.

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Local Currencies

Posted 29 weeks 3 days ago by Philip Brewer

Personal Finance, Frugal Living, Life Hacks

Because the advantages of trade (lower prices) fall into the hands of the person making the decision (the buyer), there's a constant tendency to move toward freer trade, unless there's some sort of institutional pressure in the opposite direction. Local currencies are one way to institutionalize a preference for buying local.

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How to spot counterfeit money

Posted 34 weeks 1 day ago by Philip Brewer

Personal Finance

It used to be that spotting a "good" counterfeit bill was impossible for ordinary people. If it was good enough to pass the "look and feel" test, then it was going to take an ultra-violet light or a magnetic ink detector. But for the past ten years, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing has been making bills that are easy to check.

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New $5 bill unveiled

Posted 34 weeks 1 day ago by Philip Brewer

Personal Finance

The US Treasury today unveiled a new $5 bill, with security features intended to make it harder to bleach out a $5 and use the paper to counterfeit a $100 bill.

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Carry some cash

Posted 34 weeks 2 days ago by Philip Brewer

Personal Finance

I recommend carrying some actual cash money. When I do that, a lot of people say, "Why? Everyplace I go takes credit and debit cards." In fact, I know people who brag about spending no cash at all for weeks or months at a time. A no-cash life may be good for bragging points, but I suggest you carry some cash anyway.

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