How to Count Money Back

Most retail employees rely on the cash register to tell them how much change to to give back to customers. However, what happens when the cash register doesn't work? Knowing how to count back money can help you in that situation, or at any other time that you need to give someone change.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Begin with the amount of purchase. For this example, let's use a purchase price of $6.55 and say that the person gave us a twenty dollar bill.

2. Next, you need to figure out the amount of change that will bring the price amount to the next whole dollar. In our example purchase, $6.55, that would be .45 cents. Give the person the .45 cents and say $7.00

3. Now, you want to bring the amount up to ten dollars. Since we are at $7.00 now, you will need to give the person three more dollars. Count up from seven as you hand them each of the dollar bills. $8, $9, $10.

4. Finally, you will want to get to the twenty dollar amount that you were given in the beginning. Since it will take $10 to get to $20, you will give the person a $10 bill and bring the count to $20. If you on;y have fives, yo will give them two $5 bills and count from $15 to $20.

Tips & Warnings

• It doesn't matter how small the purchase amount or how big a bill you are given. If you work your way up one bill at a time, you will be sure to give the right amount of change.
• Counting money back can be a great way to review math with your kids. What kid doesn't like money?