Muchos Pesos?
By Jim Bauer
@porwest (78761)
United States
July 15, 2018 12:25pm CST
For some of you who do not live in the United States, you may find it somewhat surprising that carrying around $100 bills can be difficult to spend depending on where you go and what you are buying. Many places do not have the ability to provide change for that.
This can be especially true at gas station convenience stores, fast food restaurants, and small shops.
Surprisingly, it seems that that seems to be the case with a $500 peso bill in Mexico. Based on the current exchange rate, $500 pesos in Mexico is really only $25. But breaking a Quinientos bill in Mexico can be tough. And pull out a $500 peso bill in Mexico and the locals look at you as though you are rico…
That's rich for the non-Spanish speaking folks around here.
Just an interesting tidbit I thought I would share from my recent travels to Cozumel, Mexico.
In your country do you have certain bills that are hard to spend? And how much are they worth in equivalent American dollars? Just curious.
7 people like this
11 responses
@marguicha (215441)
• Chile
15 Jul 18
When I visit the US I buy dollars, but I have to ask the Bank to give me at the most US$20 bills. It is not easy there to pay with a $100 bill there either.
For me the best is to have change for taxis and souvenirs and use my credit card as much as possible. In my country, the biggest bill can only be used in big stores.
2 people like this
@marguicha (215441)
• Chile
18 Apr 22
@porwest I only use here my credit card for groceries, restaurants and even the taxis when I use the Uber and the like. I have cash only for emergencies or for small markets
1 person likes this
@porwest (78761)
• United States
19 Apr 22
@marguicha Most of the time I use my credit card as well. In fact, my Discover, and that's because they will pay me 1%-5% cash back on every purchase, and so long as I pay it off right away each month I never pay interest and it is like free money.
@porwest (78761)
• United States
18 Apr 22
It is kind of like that here too. For example, I can easily spend $100 bills in grocery stores, Target, Walmart and places like that. Even in restaurants for a dinner or something. But anywhere else it can be tough for people to be able to make the change.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
15 Jul 18
In comparison, you hardly ever see anyone pull out a $500.00 bill here in The US.
Gas stations here in the US even have banners that say something along the lines of "Our attendants do not have change for $100.00. Thank You."
I don't carry cash often but when I do?I don't try to pay with anything above a $50.00
2 people like this
@porwest (78761)
• United States
15 Jul 18
Well, in the case of $500 bills in the U.S., they are not made anymore and are no longer in circulation. In fact, the $500 bill in the United States has been out of circulation since 1945. But even seeing someone pull out a $100 bill in the U.S. is rare. Agreed on all other points.
1 person likes this
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
15 Jul 18
I am from India. The biggest bill we have is Rs.2000.00 which equals about 30 plus US Dollars. Except for small road side vendors we don't have any problem in getting change for this bill. Plastic currency is gaining popularity slowly in India, though that is popular in Urban areas rural areas will require some time! Thanks
1 person likes this
@porwest (78761)
• United States
19 Apr 22
Part of the reason here in the U.S. it is difficult to use larger bills is for that very reason. Most people are using credit cards or debit cards for purchases and many places also let you get cash back. So registers are more often emptied than refilled.
@akalinus (40440)
• United States
15 Jul 18
Most places around here will not take a $100 bill. Some places won't even take a $50. They have ways of checking whether the money is real but perhaps it leaves them short of change. Picture someone buying a pack of gum and getting change for a $100. And, perhaps they are wary of getting robbed with people knowing that there are large bills on hand.
1 person likes this
@porwest (78761)
• United States
19 Apr 22
I can use one in bigger stores like grocery stores and Walmart for example. But using one anywhere else is next to impossible. I MAY be able to use one to pay for a dinner at a restaurant but it would never fly at a place like, say, McDonald's.
1 person likes this
@Jessabuma (31700)
• Baguio, Philippines
15 Jul 18
That's interesting!
Our highest bill here which is 1,000 pesos is equivalent to $18 point something..
1 person likes this
@Jessabuma (31700)
• Baguio, Philippines
16 Jul 18
@porwest it's not easy to get change for it
1 person likes this
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
15 Jul 18
I once exchanged money for French Polynesia and I had one ten thousand note! I bought a drink at the airport to see me through a night of waiting. I live in England and don't very often see a 50 pound note. That would be hard to get change for wouldn't it. Some money is special for me like a 3 dollar note from the Cook Islands. From there I got a triangular coin.
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
15 Jul 18
$ 1.00 usd is around 53 Philippine pesos, the problem with pulling out a 100 dollar bill here is people would doubt that it's genuine, sad but true, there are lots of scammers and fakes circulating, so you need to go to a legit money changer who has the expertise and tools to detect counterfeit, change to php and it's easy to spend.
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
15 Jul 18
Thank you I will find the lowest value of paper money if I ever decide to visit Mexico so not to get robbed for being Rico.
1 person likes this
@porwest (78761)
• United States
15 Jul 18
Surprisingly I have always felt relatively safe in Mexico. But it DOES depend on where in Mexico you are. Generally even the cartels appreciate the Americans who are spending their money and adding to their economy. Not always the case, but it seems to hold true.
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
15 Jul 18
Some places won't accept above a 20.
1 person likes this
