Our Canadian friends are losing their pennies. The Canadian government ceased making them a week ago today and there’s a growing concensus that the U.S. should do the same. I’ve heard radio discussions about the numbers of seconds wasted counting out each penny in change, that costs could simply be rounded up, that it costs more to make the penny than it’s worth.
The sad thing is that it’s been so very long since a penny could buy anything. Sad because it makes me feel much older than I care to admit. But in the days when I bought the odd penny candy I certainly never imagined that oneday I’d “spend” most of my money with a debit card and rarely hunt up change of any denomination because I wouldn’t need it.
I was hoping that the government would come out with a tenth of a cent. I have always wanted to pay the exact amount for my gas when I fill the car up:-)
No doubt there will be another push to 86 the penny here, since our friendly neighbors to the north have done so. I wonder…why don’t we also get rid of the 100 dollar bill? How many Americans are walking around with those in their wallets nowadays? And, more to the point, how many businesses actually accept them? We also probably should move toward getting rid of the Sacagawea, since few people understand what it is or its value.
I’m not sure we’re going to follow Canada’s lead for awhile yet. But it does cost 6 cents, I think, to make a penny. There’s been talk about using cheaper materials. Personally, I don’t much care either way. I fill up a can full of pennies every once in awhile and take it to the bank. Hey, it pays for around of golf – or two! 🙂
Penny candy…I remember that. We always stopped at the penny candy store before going to the movies that we could get into for 50 cents where we could buy a bottle of coke from the machine for 10 cents. Right now I try to save all my change and then hand it over to my 3 grandsons. One day I’ll have to tell them what a penny could once buy but I know they’ll think I’m telling them a fairy tale! Yes, I’ll miss that penny if the US decides to follow suit.
I’m not sure how I feel about a world with no more pennies. Perhaps it’s a good idea but I think I’d kinda miss them. What will I put in my piggy bank?
I remember penny candy…really hasn’t been “that” long ago….I worked at a factory in 1975…I used to stop by the little neighborhood grocery story and would get a whole bag of penny candy and share it with my co-workers.
I also knew a girl that was friends with my daughters…when she got pennies, she just threw them away…literally. And her mom let her.
Pennies do add up…and if they don’t make that much difference, then why don’t they round down?
i read that it costs more to make a penny than its worth!
and yes, i hardl have any real money nowadays.. all with the card…