After finding out that $20 is the most common amount carried in cash, I figured out a suggested break-down that best optimizes the $20 into bills and coins.

Look It Up

A survey from Bankrate found that  most common amount carried in cash is less than $20 and that 40% of consumers (varying by gender, age, and income) carry less than that on a daily basis.

In general, $20 makes sense because it would meet your needs on a daily basis, save your butt in a short-term crisis, and not break the bank if lost/stolen.

Personally, it gives me peace of mind to have $20 petty cash both in my car, purse, and work/home junk drawer … you just never know when it will come in handy, do you?

Break It Down

So, let’s say $20 is the right amount. After contemplating it (because I got “dime” for that), below is how I would break a $20 to make the most combinations of exact change.  And, good thing too because a post from Lifehacker agrees with me!

– $10 bill (1)

– $5 bill (1)

– $1 bill (4)

– $0.75 in quarters (3)

– $0.10 in dime (1)

– $0.10 in nickels (2)

– $0.04 in pennies (4)

BY:  moolamom.com