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Using Everyday Items For Everyday Problems

It seems nowadays that someone is always selling some new technology or method to accomplish everyday tasks. During the holiday season, many retailers, concerned about counterfeit money, tend to purchase pens or lights that will assist them in verifying bill authenticity. Consumers are wary of receiving large denomination bills during the holiday season. Last week 4th graders from Gary, Indiana were caught with counterfeit currency produced on their personal printers. In the United States in 2002, $43 million in fake currency was circulated. When counterfeit currency is seized, neither consumers nor companies are compensated for the loss. So what can we do about it? Two things: Visual inspection and a little-know test to tell good currency from bad.

The first things to look for are these three telltale signs: the first is the serial number, it must be evenly spaced and is the same color as the Treasury seal. Next is the edge lines of the border, on a genuine bill these lines are sharp and unbroken. Finally, the paper on a genuine bill has tiny red and blue fibers embedded in it, not just printed on the surface. The second way to verify paper currency is to test the ink. How? A legitimate U.S. bill has iron particles in the ink that are attracted to a magnet. A strong magnet is preferred for this test. To verify a bill, fold it in half and lay it on a table so that half the bill stands up vertically. Point a magnet near the standing edge of the bill and it will move toward the magnet.

Whenever you doubt the authenticity of paper currency, simply pull out your magnet and perform the magnetic attraction test. Cy Tymony, author of the new book `Sneakier Uses for Everyday Things`, explains how to reuse everyday objects in unusual ways. A photo of this test can be viewed at Tymony`s website Sneaky uses. Tymony`s website also includes a free `Sneaky Toy Reuses` article. With a little knowledge, simple and high-tech toys - even damaged ones - can be used for amazing and educational purposes. It costs next to nothing to do, so it`s almost a crime to send reusable items to landfills.