Carlene Havel's Blog: Carlene - Posts Tagged "neatnett"

How do you treat money? I'm talking about temporary storage, not use. This subject comes to mind because of two women I knew who had quite different approaches to this issue. Both had wallets; however, one never used hers for money. Coins and bills alike were dropped into the great yawning maw of her oversized handbag. When it came time to pay for lunch, she would have to go on a mini-treasure hunt. All kinds of unusual things would emerge from the depths--paper clips, lipstick, a Swiss army knife--eventually including wadded-up currency. She would finger press bills and put them in stacks by denomination. When there was enough money on the table to cover lunch and a generous tip, the remaining detritus would be scooped over the table's edge and back into the purse. If a napkin or plastic fork went along, oh well. Another friend ironed her paper currency. No kidding. Then it was arranged by denomination--largest in the back, graduating to ones in the front--in the appropriate place in her wallet, of course. Needless to say, each bill was right-side up and all faced the same direction. I don't have to tell you what their closets looked like. Nor is it any mystery which one could go to the movies on the spur of the moment and which had to have at least a day's notice (preferably more)to plan an outing. Both were interesting people, engaging conversationalists. It's all part of life's rich pageant of diversity.