Were you taught to make change as a kid?

I learned how to count to 100 in elementary school.

My mother was a bookkeeper when she worked before marriage. She showed me how to handle cash when I was a kid. I was very grateful during the time we had the store.

I was taught how to add and subtract. It did not take a whole lot to apply the principle to the “one dollar equals a hundred pennies” standard. It is funny you should bring it up. This seemingly insignifigant phenomenon, in my opinion, exemplifies everything that is wrong with the politically influenced, union corrupted, and morally confused public education system. I sacrificed plenty to send my kids to a private school where they, expensively, learned to add and subract.

I surprised a customer once many years ago. He was about 20 years older than I (I was all of about 27) , and when I went to hand him his change from a $20, he said, “I’ll bet you can’t count that back to me and come out at 20.” He felt a little silly when I did it without hesitation. I don’t really remember, but I think my mom taught me how to do that.

I know, it’s so bizzare. Yes, I have had to tell a clerk how much money is due back. Oh well.

I’m old enough that we had to learn to do that in school, and when I worked retail I always counted it back to the customer, even though the register told me what it was.

I was required to learn inverse operations in third grade and to show that I checked my work. It was tedious, and I hated it, but it landed me a job as a bank teller in college

Yes, I knew how to make change very young. Cashiers today are clueless withoutthe computer telling them how much to give you back. If you question it, they have no idea. I returned a $20 item to a department store that was part of a total purchase over $100. The clerk couldn’t figure out how much to refund (with tax) so she just gave me a refund for the whole thing. I couldn’t believe it!!

I learned because I had a paper route when I was 8.

I agree with you…I can’t believe how many people just can’t make change. I once told a cashier that she had given me an extra $.10. Not a big deal. She refused to believe me so I just pocketed it.

We also had to memorize what makes 10—9 +1, 8 +2, 7+3, etc.

I went to a private school before entering public school- I didn’t learn in either place. My grandfather taught me using a cash register insert from the courthouse he worked in. Of all the mundane things I’ve learned like tying shoes, brushing teeth, sewing buttons, etc., making change has impressed people on occasion and also kept me from being shorted.

Anyone else think it was fun? I did.

Learning to make change/counting was mandatory in my day. Today I see clerks and cashiers counting on their fingers to make change (seriously).

I don’t recall any lessons on making change. However, our 3rd grade teacher bribed us for giving accurate answers in subtraction with M&Ms as long as we promised to not tell her husband that she was doing so. And now the truth is out.

Yes, I learned it in school and I also had a job as a clerk in a drug store when I was a teenager.
On my first day of work, my boss, The owner asked me if I could count back change, I showed him that I could. If I didn’t know how, he was prepared to teach me. The cash register in the store was really just like a big adding machine. It didn’t tell you how much change was due back.
I have had to help people on occasion now when I am due money back.

Yes, I learned how to count money back when I was about 4 years old. My Dad taught me.

My husband’s co-worker was disappointed when she learned I would be busy moving and I couldn’t help with her garage sale. She was hoping I could help because she can’t make change. She’s in her 20s. :/

I remember learning it in school and my son is learning it right now in school (public school). He’s in 3rd grade. He actually started learning it at the end of 2nd grade and they are expanding on it this year.

I was a newspaper girl, for a while at 12 and I learned to make change that way.

I’m 14, and no, I haven’t really had to learn it in school, even though I’m homeschooled. My dad is disgusted at all the “kids” (he’s 60 so somebody’s a kid even when they’re 35 to him) that don’t count your money back for you. He has made me count him back some money when I need to break a 20 in odd change (happens rather frequently, actually), though.

Sure, of course. My 4 year old knows how many quarters are in a dollar.

I can do the math and give you the correct change, but I have had trouble with the counting change back to the amount that you are given. I can do it if they don’t give me extra change with that 20 etc. I’ve always thought it was an odd way to give change back. Sounds like you are getting back exactly what you gave, and I found that wrong. But, I’ve been a clerk in one way or another for about 20 years, and I can do the math.

It’s not just about being able to do the Math. It’s about starting with the amount of the sale, say it’s $4.27, and they have given you $5. You begin by stating that amount to the customer and counting their change back to them as you place it in their hand.
You say, $4.27, then you then give them 3 pennies and say $4.30, then two dimes and say $4.50, then two quarters and say $5.
The process lets both the customer and the clerk, do the Math and check the accuracy of the change given back. I also think it’s more polite than just handing back the change.

@wilma – Thank you! I was trying to think of how to phrase “counting back change” and couldn’t do it. Perfect!

@wilma I agree. It is more polite than receiving a handful of bills, change and the receipt all at once. I hate that!

I learned this in elementary school. It’s just basic subtraction.

@Wilma: Exactly!!!
This really helps the clerk also in that they touch each coin and each bill to verify they’re correct instead of grabbing x amount of ones, fives or whatever and mashing them into someone’s palm or worse yet, slapped on the counter with a receipt.

My brother taught me the way that finally stuck. Which is Wilma’s way. It seemed much less abstract to me.
now if only people would learn to put the change in my palm before the bills and receipt

@lazydaisy they put the bills and receipt down first to stop them getting knocked off or blown away. But you’re right, it annoys me too. I need to put the change away first before dealing with the notes.

My mother made me learn how to see the clock.!! when i was 6 years old

Other than just in arithmetic class, no. I guess it was taken for granted that the subtraction segment part woul do it.