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The US Mint lost $69M making pennies last year

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Re: The US Mint lost $69M making pennies last year

#24
post #3

So get rid of them. At one point in my life, a long time ago, things could be purchased for a penny. That time has long passed. Now pennies are used just to make the math work out. Round everything up a nickel ($0.05) and call it a day. Or look at it another way: inflation has made the nickel from my youth into today's penny.

No. Most purchases are not made with cash and fewer people are using cash every year. You're basically saying that all consumers should pay more with every purchase so that the mint can make https://www.frbsf.org/cash/files/figure-3-2015dcpc-share-of-...

Non-cash transactions would still be commonly made in $0.01 increments. $53.47, for example. The difference is, if you wanted to purchase a dozen things that total $53.47 at a store, if you use cash, you'd end up paying $53.45 or $53.50, depending on the store's policy. Many may end up rounding down, what a deal! Or they'll choose to be greedy and trade in that goodwill for three measly cents.

Re: The US Mint lost $69M making pennies last year

#25
post #3

So get rid of them. At one point in my life, a long time ago, things could be purchased for a penny. That time has long passed. Now pennies are used just to make the math work out. Round everything up a nickel ($0.05) and call it a day. Or look at it another way: inflation has made the nickel from my youth into today's penny.

No. Most purchases are not made with cash and fewer people are using cash every year. You're basically saying that all consumers should pay more with every purchase so that the mint can make https://www.frbsf.org/cash/files/figure-3-2015dcpc-share-of-...

It’s actually the people who use credit/debit cards to make purchases who raise the prices on all goods/services for people who pay cash.

The average merchant pays 2.3-3.5% per swipe, as a result prices are increased across the board and passed on to consumers, no matter if they pay with card or cash.

Re: The US Mint lost $69M making pennies last year

#26
post #3

So get rid of them. At one point in my life, a long time ago, things could be purchased for a penny. That time has long passed. Now pennies are used just to make the math work out. Round everything up a nickel ($0.05) and call it a day. Or look at it another way: inflation has made the nickel from my youth into today's penny.

No. Most purchases are not made with cash and fewer people are using cash every year. You're basically saying that all consumers should pay more with every purchase so that the mint can make https://www.frbsf.org/cash/files/figure-3-2015dcpc-share-of-...

You're basically saying that all consumers should pay more with every purchase so that the mint can make

I basically said what I said. I want all consumers to pay more so I don't have to have pennies rattling around everywhere, which I eventually accumulate to the point that it's worth going to bank to get rid of them.

Pennies: the busy-work of finance.

Re: The US Mint lost $69M making pennies last year

#27
post #3

So get rid of them. At one point in my life, a long time ago, things could be purchased for a penny. That time has long passed. Now pennies are used just to make the math work out. Round everything up a nickel ($0.05) and call it a day. Or look at it another way: inflation has made the nickel from my youth into today's penny.

No. Most purchases are not made with cash and fewer people are using cash every year. You're basically saying that all consumers should pay more with every purchase so that the mint can make https://www.frbsf.org/cash/files/figure-3-2015dcpc-share-of-...

Then only round cash purchases.

Re: The US Mint lost $69M making pennies last year

#30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No. Most purchases are not made with cash and fewer people are using cash every year. You're basically saying that all consumers should pay more with every purchase so that the mint can make https://www.frbsf.org/cash/files/figure-3-2015dcpc-share-of-...

You're basically saying that all consumers should pay more with every purchase so that the mint can make I basically said what I said. I want all consumers to pay more so I don't have to have pennies rattling around everywhere, which I eventually accumulate to the point that it's worth going to bank to get rid of them. Pennies: the busy-work of finance.

So do what most people do: don't pay with cash.

Asking everyone to pay more so you're not inconvenienced with change, even though you're asking for it by using cash, is quite self-centered.

If you don't like pennies, then just give them away as soon as they're handed to you.

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