Old money bags

Standing there at the till in our supermarket the other day, the missus grabbed my arm as I was thrusting the change into my back pocket. “Did you check it?” she asked.
Like any other trusting male, I replied with all honesty, “No, of course I didn’t.” Walking out of the store I knew the missus was right. I should, but I never check the change that I am given. After all, it’s a matter of honesty, it’s something many of us fail to query. It was only after the missus said, “She gave you change for 10, and you gave her 20,” that I got concerned. How naive could I get?
Everyone pays up forgetting that the change is an important part of the transaction. I went back, and looking in my pocket found myself staring at three R10 notes and a pile of small change. I wasn’t in a position to suspect the till operator’s honesty anyway. The missus was fuming. “I bet you don’t even know how much you have in that trouser pocket of yours?

I blushed a shade of pink. “No lovey, I have no idea.”

“You men.” Of course I retaliated with, “So how much have you got in that old purse of yours?” The missus looked towards heaven. “A R50 note that I keep for emergencies only, a R20, a R2 piece, two 50c pieces, and about 40c in odd copper.” We drove home in silence. Dammit, how wealthy can a guy be if he doesn’t even bother to count his small change?
“Come on, let’s check your purse and see how far you are out?” I said, as soon as we got home. Emptying the lot onto the bed, we began the count. Three cents out isn’t a lot, but the episode certainly taught me a lesson. It never pays to be flippant where money is concerned. Ask any accountant!