Gee, let me get in on this one. A couple of years ago, I bought something like $147.01 at Wal-Mart. I counted out the dollars exactly and with a straight face, I told the clerk I didn't have a penny. She had a fit and was in the process of calling her manager. I found a penny to relieve her anxiety and asked her if I hadn't found a penny would she have processed the sale? And she said she wouldn't have. I would have had to put something back. This blew my brain.
When I was in High School, the Franc was depreciated by two decimal points. They simply moved the decimal point over two places and something that had cost the French 10,000 Francs one day, now cost them 100 Francs. It was simple and complete. I have been advocating this for a few years now. I used to buy penny candy. In fact, we had 2 for a penny candy, even. Now these same candies cost 10 cents or more. Candy bars were 5 cents and 10 cents, depending on the size. Now they are, what, 69 cents and a $1.29, or something like that. A movie on a Friday or Saturday evening cost $1.00 for an adult. Gas was 27 cents to 32 cents.
When I graduated from college in 1972, I looked at a new Monte Carlo, a car that was just being introduced, and they were asking over $4000. I could buy a Chevrolet Impala for about $2700.
You see, if you multiply these prices by 10, you seem to be quoting the current prices today. I suggest we simply move the decimal one point to the left and the penny and the nickel will have value again. \
Mick