Changing My Mind About Change

For a very long time, I have hated change. 

And by change, I am referring to the pieces of metal floating around in the bottom of my purse.  I never find a wallet that I like that will hold a lot of change.  I never feel like I have enough time at the register to put the change in a change purse.  Ever notice how the cashier seems to shoo you away as soon as they rip that receipt out of the register and hand it back to you with your change?  So not only are you stuck trying to put your coins in the change purse/zippered compartment, putting the dollar bills in another compartment but you are also trying to handle the receipt and putting it in the bag or in your purse (whichever you prefer).  I hate that awkward moment as you shuffle around taking care of that and pushing your grocery cart out of the way with your hip so that the person behind you can start their own checkout/change dance.  Because I hate that awkwardness, I usually just chuck the change in the bottom of my purse.  I also do this when I go through a drive-thru.  They push you through there even faster than the grocery store so there is no time to put it away nicely.  Chuck it in and drive away!  Eventually my purse gets too heavy and I have to clean out the change and other stuff I end up throwing in there. (trucks, legos, books....you can tell I am a mom.)  Once I clean it out, I end up putting it in our change jar.  Every year we empty our change jar and use the money towards something fun. 

I never used to hate change.  In fact there was a time I loved it.  Specifically the change I would get from my dad's nightstand.  I always left him the pennies....I only wanted the silver.  And yes, there were times in high school and college where I paid for gas in all coins.  Betcha the clerk hated change on those days!

Recently, I have been trying to make a conscious effort to use the change in my purse and I have created a game with myself in trying to always come up with exact change.  (Yes, the little things entertain me.)  So maybe I am beginning to think differently about change....I may just learn to love it!