Shopping Part IV: Strategies for Life, Living Well with Vision Loss
Mary Beth Caruso, Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist
October 1, 2009
This month’s column presents tips for efficiently and safely paying with cash. Coin identification is fairly easy once it has been mastered. The dime and quarter have ridges called “reeds” on the outer edge that can be felt with a fingernail; the nickel and penny have smooth outer edges. Coins can be lined up one on top of the other with the largest being the quarter on the bottom, next the nickel, and then the penny topped by the smallest coin the dime. Pennies may be identified by their copper or brown color and are thinner than the nickel. Additional coins that may be in circulation include half dollars, which are ridged and dollars which are golden in color. If in doubt, ask!
Of course it is harder to distinguish coins when feeling pressured to hurry. Instead of juggling coins, bills can be used. Coins accumulated as change can be sorted and counted at home, used where one is comfortable or exchanged for bills at the bank. Coins saved in a “money jar” can also be turned in at the coin machines in supermarkets.
Paper money now has an easier to read larger, darker denomination number on a light background in the back lower right hand corner of the new $5, $10, $20 and $50 bills. As old bills remain in circulation, one can not solely count on this larger print to be on each bill. If unable to visually distinguish one bill from another, tactual methods need to be relied upon.
Paper money can be folded in a variety of ways (e.g. keep $1 flat; $5 in half crosswise; $10 like the five and then half again; $20 in half lengthwise and $50 like the twenty and then in half crosswise). The key is to use a system that can be remembered and accessed easily. The ideal wallet depends on personal preference; however one that can be opened effortlessly and has several secure compartments for bills, as well as coins, is recommended.
If one has a general idea of the total cost of items being purchased, then that amount of money can be removed from the wallet prior to checkout. Some people find this is safer as they are less flustered and consequently less likely to drop money. Paying with the lowest bill that is closest to the cost is another strategy.
One can withdraw money from the ATM machine so only using $20 bills. There are large print displays, braille labeled ATMs and talking ATMs where a headset is used for privacy. The lighting and print size may be adequate or low vision devices can be useful. One can ask at the bank counter for all bills to be a specific denomination such as $10. Keep these separate from bills returned as change, which can be sorted at home, even if asking for change to be only $1 bills. Portable talking paper money identifiers can be used in public with headphones or at home to organize money in the wallet at the end of the day.
It is good to have options, so next month’s column will provide information on ways to confidently pay with checks, credit cards and debit cards.
Perkins Outreach Services for Ages 55 and Older, Outreach@Perkins.org, 617-972-7643.
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