Listen to the text of this lesson via human narration; click or tap the audio track below:
Find the recommended money management resources used in this lesson:
- Wallet with Multiple Compartments: Organize your bills and store your change in separate pockets for easy access. Click or tap to find this wallet online.
- Ideal Currency App: this talking SmartPhone app uses your phone’s camera feature to determine (1) what bill you are holding, and (2) the front or back of the bill. Click or tap to find Ideal Currency online.
- iBill: this U.S. Currency Reader is available through government funding. Click here to access the application form.
Image of wallet with 5 dollar bills and credit cards, flanked by house key and phone.
Video: Money Management – Wallet Recommendations & Money Identification
Click or tap below to play the video and listen to the lesson.
Transcript
Another nice thing is there are wallets that have different sections for your bills, like this one, for example — the one I am demoing. It’s a nice, black wallet with multiple compartments.
One side has a regular, large slot with no sections — it’s one, big section. And on the other side, it has tabs for each section, so you can easily separate your bills and know where they’re at when you put them in each section.
Here at the front, there’s also pouches for your coins to keep separated and organized when you’re getting your change back.
Some people ask how can you identify bills when you have low vision, when it’s difficult? You can either download an app on your phone. I have an Android phone, and the app I currently use is called Ideal Currency.
What this does: when you have your bill on your table, and you point the camera right at it, it will read to you (app reads) “$5 dollar bill, front.” And, it will also read the back. (App reads) “$5 dollar bill, back.”
Another example is the $1. (App reads) “$1 dollar bill, front.” And the back. (App reads) “$1 dollar bill, back.”
If you don’t have an Android or an iPhone, not to worry. There is a free iBill reader. This also reads to you what the bill is. In my hand, I’m holding the iBill reader, and it’s about as big as my palm. I just slide my bill into the corner and hit the button on the right as the iBill is facing me, and it will read what the bill is. The volume is a little low, but it’s saying $5.
So, this is an alternative way to use a bill reader.