How much change should you keep in your cash box?

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Burnhym1
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How much change should you keep in your cash box?

Post by Burnhym1 »

since this is going to be my first experience in the artist alley, how much change should i bring to start with?

how many 10's, 20's, 5's, 1's, etc.
I will be selling stuff that is $5-$80.
i remember someone said how much to bring in a thread before, but i just dont know where that is.
So, i would appreciate the feedback.
How much do you guys bring for as change for you cash box?
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How much change should you keep in your cash box?

Post by KitsuneCreations »

I like to have around $100, because of the nature of my stuff my sales are bigger, and 10's and 5's I'd say are the most useful to have if your items are above $5 and up to $80, thats almost the range of my stuff so Id think we would have similar cash box floats. 1's are good to have too, but I think people spend their 1's the most so they start to add up quick. I'd say...

$20 in 1's
$50 in 10's
$30 in 5's

I think a standard float is around $40, but I dunno, I like to have more just in case XD
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How much change should you keep in your cash box?

Post by Kogarashi »

Allyson-x's suggeston of a $100 float is a good start for your price ranges. That's actually the same amount as Walmart tills start with any given morning (though the breakdown is different). Be ready to hit up a bank as necessary to break large bills if you find not enough people are paying with 1's and 5's, though. And you shouldn't need loose coinage if you don't have anything priced under a dollar.

I usually only bring a $50 float (quarters and singles) since a lot of the stuff I sell tends to be smaller, impulse-purchase stuff (bookmarks, magnets, etc.). That's worked well for me, though there have been times we've had to go break a larger bill too.
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How much change should you keep in your cash box?

Post by Burnhym1 »

Thanks! all this was very helpful!
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How much change should you keep in your cash box?

Post by yuureikun »

I always bring $100 -- $50 in singles and $50 in 5s. I always assume that by the time people are breaking out $100 bills, it is at least Friday night and I have some change in 20s and 10s. Occasionally it is a little tight with change -- so having either a bank you can stop at or money to break at your hotel helps. I once broke a $50 into singles at a hotel where a convention was held, but where I was not staying. Some will do it and not care -- cash is cash -- others will be more picky.
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How much change should you keep in your cash box?

Post by MerchMaven »

I tend to overstock on small bills. If I have to give someone change in nine ones, they'll take it, but if all I have is tens, I'm kind of up a creek.

Also, I've found that having a huge surplus of small bills makes you very popular with your AA neighbors. There's always one or two who don't have the correct change, and you can earn undying gratitude by being able to give someone ten singles for a ten.
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How much change should you keep in your cash box?

Post by SailorAstera »

I usually bring $120:
2 $10s
10 $5s
50 $1s

I actually sell things that are 25c but I always forget to get a roll of quarters :D I need to start remembering that
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How much change should you keep in your cash box?

Post by Bettina Marie »

I personally start with $150. Since I use 1s and 5s the most, I always make sure I've more than enough of them...better to have too many than not enough! :D

$75 in 1s
$55 in 5s
$20 in 10s

[quote=SciFiGrl47]Also, I've found that having a huge surplus of small bills makes you very popular with your AA neighbors. There's always one or two who don't have the correct change, and you can earn undying gratitude by being able to give someone ten singles for a ten.[/quote]

I whole heartedly agree on this! XD LOL With the amount of 1s and 5s I accumulate over the course of the weekend, I'm pretty much a bank for my AA neighbors to help break larger bills with! XD LOL
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How much change should you keep in your cash box?

Post by hookedonchibis »

Another thing to think about is the actual price-points on your items. I can usually avoid having to deal in $1s at all by keeping my prices in multiples of $5 only, but that doesn't work out as well if you sell buttons, bookmarks, or other small items (and indeed, since we'll have buttons this year, that will change how we do things! ^^;). If you sell lots of things for $5, $25, $45, etc, you will need to go heavy on the 5s. things for $1, $6, $11 etc will need a lot of 1s.

Basically, depend on your customers to have only $20s (that's what ATMs give), and look at your price points, and think about how often you'd have to give each bill. Once you have an idea of the proportion of each you'll need (I wouldn't even bother with 10s, imho - you can use two 5s instad, and then you won't be stuck with 10s but no 5s when you have to give $6 change back!), then think about how much cash you can afford to keep in a float. AB is HUGE and, while not everyone makes a fortune, people do come to spend. If you can arrange it, a $200 draw might not be out of the question - especially if your stock will be more heavily on the low end of your pricing spectrum. But a $100 draw will certainly serve you well.

For myself, in the past I've tried to bring $100 in 5s and $40 in 1s. Last year I ended up running out to the bank on Saturday morning to get more 5s ^^; so I might work it differently this year. (Another important point: Banks sometimes have Saturday morning hours, but they rarely have Sunday ones. If you have to run out for cash, do it before 11:30AM on Saturday, and at that time, try to anticipate your needs based on what you're running out for - you might not get another chance to stock up!)

I hope this helps :)
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How much change should you keep in your cash box?

Post by Majik »

Friday at any show is ATM day. They've just arrived, they've just been paid, and they've not bought anything yet. Expect to see a lot of 20's, even if it's for a $1.00 bookmark.

(The bulk of my items are at prices that end in $x2, $x5, $x8, $x0... So most of my change comes out needing 2 or 3 $1's... Figure what (priced items) you'll sell the most of, and plan your small bills accordingly.)

And it never hurts to make friends with your neighbors, just in case.

Sooner or later, someone in Artists' Alley is going to sell something BIG, and get paid all in $1's. ..Or quarters. Ohdeargawds, the quarters!!!!! *flail*
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How much change should you keep in your cash box?

Post by Majik »

OH! And just a note on monetary safety - even the best-guarded cash boxes can walk off during the course of a busy weekend.

Put your LARGE BILLS somewhere safe.

If someone breaks a $20 or $50 bill at your table, the next person you make change for doesn't need to see it sitting on top of your stash. Tuck them somewhere safer until you get back to your room!

(There was a certain mid-atlantic convention, and the year of the stolen backpacks.. that made a lot of very sad, very poor artists!)

We like to hope that no one at our favorite convention is nasty enough to have sticky fingers, but it only takes one rotten apple to ruin it for countless random victims.

Hopefully, nobody needs this warning! ;)
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How much change should you keep in your cash box?

Post by Blitzava »

Expanding on the "keep your money safe" part....

I never keep more than $100 in my cash box. In groups of $60 or $100 (depending on the convention and how secure I feel there) I wrap my 20s and store them in alternative places before going up to the my room. Even in the room I spread out my cash so that if something was to go missing they get $60 or $100 rather than my entire con spendings. $100 in in a roll of twenties takes up almost no room so you can get creative.

In previous years I was forced to walk through boston alone after the con to get to the bus station. Often as the sun was setting. Stick with groups (cosplayers are a good choice XD they stick out) and spread your money out. A friend of mine was mugged in Boston but the mugger only got $30 (which he handed over willingly of course), everything in his pockets. My friend was carrying $1500 at the time spread out around his body, shoes, pants lining, socks, and a pouch in his belt....he only had his travel money and a little extra in his pockets. Spread out your money, keep some in your bag in different areas, some on your person in different areas.

When you take a lunch break and set your bag at your feet while you eat loop the strap around your leg. it is INSANELY easy to slide a bag out from under a table, even a thief with the grace of a one legged headless chicken being electrocuted can snatch one without the owner's knowledge (and you totally want to draw that now don't you?)

On the protection of other items while walking through Boston. If you have an ipod or mp3 player BUY BLACK HEADPHONES or better yet, don't have them on while walking around in the first place. Nothing announces better to a potential thief "I have a valuable mp3 player in my pocket" then those damn white headphones (I swear they glow at night XD)
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How much change should you keep in your cash box?

Post by KitsuneCreations »

[quote=Blitzava]
it is INSANELY easy to slide a bag out from under a table, even a thief with the grace of a one legged headless chicken being electrocuted can snatch one without the owner's knowledge (and you totally want to draw that now don't you?)
[/quote]

XD I love your explanation! As silly as it is, your post makes me feel more aware I guess. I'm always paranoid when I go to Boston that someone is going to mug me... which reminds me! If you are mugged: Step 1 - Wrist control, Step 2 - pull out your gun! If you have no idea what Im talking about, you must see this video XD http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2REG3-Wb5gM

But yeah, good idea about spreading out your money :)
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How much change should you keep in your cash box?

Post by Kogarashi »

One of my best con investments was the purchase of a locking cash box with cable "leash" at Staples. The cable loops around part of the table leg (in a place where just lifting the table won't enable a thief to run off with the box anyway), and then bolts to the inside of the cash box. The cable is sturdy enough that anyone who snatches the box and runs is going to get brought up short (or be dragging a table) long before they get away from the crowd. The box stays out of sight when we're not making change, either, and all big bills go under the tray, not in it, so other customers can't see our cash total. And we take the cash box home with us at night, rather than leaving it in the Alley.

Good tips on spreading out the money, everyone. :) One good trick my husband found out while spending two years in Venezuela (and actually getting mugged at one point) is to always find the less likely places to stash the real valuables, and only keep minimum change in the obvious places (pockets, purse).
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How much change should you keep in your cash box?

Post by Burnhym1 »

I'm so happy you guys mentioned this stuff cuz i would have never thought about it...like spreading my money in different places....i kinda live in a little suburban town so dont have to worry that much about muggers etc. XD
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How much change should you keep in your cash box?

Post by mystcloud »

man, i live in boston and I don't really know anyone who's been mugged here, your friend must have been extra unlucky. Just try to travel in groups and keep your cash spread around so if you do lose something it's not all your cash. As for mp3s and headphones, people are listening to ipods/iphones/game systems all the time on the train, i feel like thieves probably just assume you're carrying some sort of expensive electronic, because face it, most of us are. Having an ipod really isn't going to make you stand out, just don't walk around town wearing it, that's a terrible plan for anyone. If you can't hear and you're not paying attention to your surroundings you're a prime target for muggers (or getting hit by cars) Just be alert, look people in the face if they're acting suspicious and stay in lit and well trafficked areas.
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How much change should you keep in your cash box?

Post by Aurabolt »


I live in Roxbury, one of the Boston Neighborhoods. I can honestly say despite the fact two rival gangs live in my neck of woods I haven't seen so much as an an arguement in the 5 years I've been at my current address.

In addition to that I found out it was almost 20 years ago a girl was shot and killed while she was sitting on a mailbox at the end of my street, an innocent bystander and victim to senseless violence.

Having said that, common sense should be utilized when it comes to money and valuables. I keep my Zune HD, Cellphone and 3DS in my pockets when walking in areas with alot of foot traffic unless I'm sure I won't have to worry about my getting held up.

At the same time you don't need to make it obvious you're carring stuff you're afraid to lose. To those with Cash Boxes, my suggestion is to do business with someone you trust or even better, pair up with another artist.

If you do the former, one of you should handle the money while the other works the floor. That way, anyone with sinister intentions watching will have to think twice.

At the end of the day, do yourself a favor and just go through the mall(s). There are cameras and security. After dark, avoid Bolyston Street from The Hynes to Copley Square if you can--Some Red Sox Fans can get rowdy and you never know if you're being followed. If you have to walk down Boylston stay on the Apple Store side of the street--it has more foot traffic but you can see into the stores and restaurants you're walking by and most are open late if you think you might need to duck into one.
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How much change should you keep in your cash box?

Post by Majik »

Sounds like Kogarashi is ready to run a panel on safe tourism!
Fantastic input, guys, this is all kind of fabulous, and definitely worth the read, for first timers, and for veterans who might be feeling too confident.

Now, Boston's not known for it's crime, and I feel safer there than in, say, Baltimore *by a LOT*, but all it takes is ONE TIME. Better safe than sorry.

When in doubt, it's time to make a few new friends. Buddy up with a GROUP, not a single person, if you feel you need an escort. And it's NEVER a bad idea to ask a staffer or volunteer to help, or find help for you. It may take a little wait for someone to become available, but if you fear for your new-found income, someone's going to be happy to help.
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How much change should you keep in your cash box?

Post by KitsuneCreations »

Hmmm... now I am a little bit concerned about walking back to my hotel so late at night! We are staying at the Midtown hotel, so I know that is a short walk but nevertheless it will be 11ish or later when we head back... is that a scary walk or well traveled?! D: It is just me and my boyfriend, and we will have our cashbox with us everynight (probably in a bag, hidden).
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How much change should you keep in your cash box?

Post by Mara »

Chances are that a few other attendees will be on their way back to the Midtown at that time, and honestly, the best way to avoid trouble anywhere is to use common sense, don't flash your stuff around, act like you know where you're going even when you don't, project confidence, don't yell unless you need help, travel in groups, make friends with someone intimidating-looking, etc. etc. etc. Huntington Ave. is well-lit and well-traveled, and I don't think you've got much/anything to be worried about.

In the 21 years of my life that I spent growing up in Boston, I was mugged once with my friends when we were freshmen in high school. Honestly, I think we made ourselves easy marks as a group of giggling, silly teenage girls. We probably could have easily fought off our muggers because there were more of us than them and to the best of my knowledge, their only weapons were lit cigarettes and the fact that they were older than us. We were at the inbound green line stop across from MassFart at 8PM. In retrospect, I think that if we had shown even the smallest bit of resistance, we would have gotten away with our (limited) cash intact (they got six bucks from me). I think they were banking on us being afraid because they caught us off-guard, and it worked.

Honestly, Boston isn't bad. It's not to say that mugging and break-ins don't happen, but use common sense and you should be okay. There's always a chance that even if you do use common sense, you still get mugged, and that's sadly just how it goes sometimes. I wouldn't make it my main concern, though. I'd be more concerned about receiving verbal harassment from drunks and dudebros.
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How much change should you keep in your cash box?

Post by hookedonchibis »

Carrying your bag hidden is a good plan. The box I use for cash is a locking pencil-box, so it's not very big and it tucks into just about any bag with room to spare (even a purse of sufficient size!). Because it's so small, while I'm sitting at my table, I can usually tuck it into a suitcase or tote-box among the other goods, where it's not very grabbable. And if I get busy enough that I have to leave it on the table for convenience's sake, it looks like a supply box, no different from by boxes of buttons or string or yarn ends - because it wasn't designed to be a a mega-secure money box, it doesn't visibly say HELLO I HAVE MONEY IN ME, HELP YOURSELF :D

It is small enough to be grabbed, so I've also taken to spreading the money around, and I'm glad to see that so many people here have said that too. Even if you don't have a lot of places to stash the cash, something as simple as using all the zippered pockets in ONE bag can help. That way, when you go to get money, you can act much more naturally about accessing $100 than if you have to pull out a wad of $1000 in 1s and 5s ;) and the more confident and natural you feel about getting your money out, the less attention you will attract.

Be safe out there, but also relax - Boston is both safe and generally wealthy, so carrying a certain amount of "bling" isn't going to make you stand out as a target :D just don't be reckless and you'll have a great time!
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How much change should you keep in your cash box?

Post by Tuberat »

what i use isn't a box at all - i get gripes from anyone who assists me at my table or at least VERY strange looks - but nobody ever expects what i'm using :P it just doesn't look like a cash box at all...but it still has different 'pockets' for separating cash into areas to more easily find change and such.

i don't know what its called. its exactly the width and height of a bill and opens up like an accordion into many little pockets.
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How much change should you keep in your cash box?

Post by SailorAstera »

That sounds fancy! Like a money organizer :3 My money gets so unorganized @_@ but fortunately I have a mum to aid me in that matter xD
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How much change should you keep in your cash box?

Post by Kogarashi »

[quote=hookedonchibis]Carrying your bag hidden is a good plan. The box I use for cash is a locking pencil-box, so it's not very big and it tucks into just about any bag with room to spare (even a purse of sufficient size!). Because it's so small, while I'm sitting at my table, I can usually tuck it into a suitcase or tote-box among the other goods, where it's not very grabbable.[/quote]
Indeed. My cash box is fairly small, about the size of two hardcovers stacked on top of each other. It's small enough to fit in one of the suitcases we bring or even my backpack, and still not leave a noticeable bulge. Unless you're swinging your hidden cashbox around to the point that it's rattling with all your loose coinage, a potential mugger most likely isn't going to treat you as any more a potential target than the next person on the street.

As stated before, be confident, look people in the eye, and don't spook like you're carrying the contents of a bank on your person. Don't be obvious and you'll do fine.
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Post by hookedonchibis »

Oh, one other thing I'll add, from my retail days: don't TALK about your money.

that sounds really inane and like something you'd all know already, but it goes further than just "don't yell to your friends how much fat loot you earned today". If you have to go to the bank for change (and there are a couple of banks in walking distance, including one with Saturday hours), DO NOT SAY "ok i'm going to the bank" or anything similar, ever. If you need to communicate that to someone, agree beforehand on a code phrase. At my Starbucks, since it was about 90% women on staff, they'd agreed on hair appointments as their cover: "Ok ladies, I'm going to get my hair done now, back in a bit" ;)

By having a specific errand, you'll look less suspicious than if you suddenly have to "go take care of a few things" in the middle of a convention. Excuse yourself to go change into more comfortable shoes, or step out to buy coffee, or even plead that you need to poo (if you're a boy, since girls don't do this!) and you're going in search of a more private bathroom. :cool: But DON'T EVER "go to the bank"!!
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How much change should you keep in your cash box?

Post by marikotoeii »

My Cash Set Up:

Keep in mind that the most expensive thing I sell is a 40 dollar commission. Most of my items are ten bucks.

I keep a till of 20.00, one ten, one 5, and five ones. And I just forget about that money. After a con I always make sure the same denomination is there.

If you run into a situation where you need change, as around if your fellow artists can break higher bills for you.

Just my two cents :)


to add onto the money security issue:

your hotel should have a safe. USE IT!!! Cash out your money EVERY DAY. Leave just the bare minimum for change.

This also keeps you from blowing your earnings.

Be mindful of your cash box, and also KEEP TRACK OF WHAT YOU SELL AND HOW MUCH! I wish I had started keeping an inventory sooner 0-_-

And unless you really have to, try to keep con earnings seperate from con cash for food and swag.

A good point is to atleast put some of what you make back into your art.
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How much change should you keep in your cash box?

Post by marikotoeii »

the walk to the midtown is not too long, and not too scary. Remember people are all over that area. If you get really nervous, I am at the Midtown and will be heading back there every night after the Alley closes :) feel free to come see me
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How much change should you keep in your cash box?

Post by KitsuneCreations »

Thank you :) Yeah, I figured a lot of people stay there so when big events close down it shouldn't be too hard to blend into the crowd if it is well traveled :)
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