Another sign of inflation?

[lurky]

I went to the ATM today and took out $200. To my surprise, it gave me all $50 bills. I wasn't asked what I wanted, or given a mix of different bills -- it just spat out four $50 bills like that was normal.

I actually didn't notice at first. I just stuck them in my wallet and went to lunch. When I got ready to pay, I looked in my wallet and only saw four bills and I totally freaked for a second, until I figured out what happened. I was a little embarrassed when I was paying, since this was just a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant, but the guy acted like he got large bills all the time.

I know the dollar doesn't go as far anymore, but are fifties replacing twenties as walking-around money? Has anybody else experienced this, or is it a New York thing?

[Fed_Up_Grammy]

1. Are you serious? Inflation because you got fifties? I doubt it.

[ileus]

2. #1 indication: The content of a penny is worth more than it's face value

[AndyTiedye]

10. They Have Been Making them Out of Zinc For Some Time Now

That's just a thin copper plating over the zinc. Sounds like play money, doesn't it? That's because they used to make play money out of zinc before they started making it out of plastic.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

3. ATM out of Jacksons?

:shrug:

If it starts spitting out Clevelands, let me know!

[lurky]

5. I've never gotten anything but Jacksons.

Even when I had to take out big chunks of money. Maybe I'm just a rube... ;)

[roamer65]

4. They're still a pain to spend.

I always seem to have to ask if places have change for a 50.

[lurky]

6. Exactly.

I was pretty annoyed, actually.

[AndyTiedye]

9. You Have Trouble Breaking a 50 in New York City??

With the price of everything in NYC, that surprises me.

[lurky]

11. If I'm buying a cup of coffee or getting a loaf of bread

at the corner deli, then yeah, it can be a pain in the neck.

[liberal renegade]

7. I'VE GOT TO BREAK A BENJAMIN JUST TO FILL THE CAR!

[AndyTiedye]

8. I Got 20s and 50s from one in Portland Oregon 20 years ago.

and 100s from an ATM in Las Vegas a couple of years ago.

[mikelewis]

12. They're probably just trying to pack it with more money so they can reduce service trips...

Offering fifties allows the machines to issue more cash thus limiting the need for money changing trips. Less trips equals more profit... more profit equals more reasons to steal elections... stealing elections leads to more profits.... on and on and on... it's madness really. Think of it as lilies in the field where the lilies represent chickens eating popcorn and the field being the 9th level of fault... I've seen it all the time... and it must stop... these voices... AHHHHHHH!!!!!!