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You Can Tell if the Money is Real or Fake

Cy Tymony, author of the new book `Sneakier Uses for Everyday Things`, explains how to reuse typical objects in unusual ways. And now, he is revealing a secret that is easy to do and could save you a lot of trouble -and money. Tymony has devised a test for checking the validity and authenticity of currency. A photo of this test can be viewed at Tymony`s website Sneaky Uses.

Large denomination bills during the holiday season can be a bit frightening to receive. Last week, 4th graders from Gary, Indiana were caught with counterfeit currency produced on their personal computers. 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 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 (some weak refrigerators magnets may not work). 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.

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,` Tymony says. `It costs next to nothing to do, so it`s almost a crime to send reusable items to landfills.` He suggests readers not overlook reusing other holiday staples around the house. `Milk can be turned into plastic or glue, bookmarks can be turned into boomerangs, a penny can be turned into a radio and walkie-talkies and other devices can be placed in clothing to make a `gadget jacket.` Even gift-wrapping paper can substitute for air for `inflating` a flat bicycle tire in a pinch,` Tymony says.