Change Jars: Another Guy Thing

Is it in their DNA, along with Not Asking Directions? Almost every guy I know has a place where they throw loose change, as if it weren't real currency. A woman will hold up a line counting out exact change (in my case, it's because I don't want to carry around extra weight). But most guys have change jars. My neighbor is even filling up huge empty watercooler bottles: how will he ever be able to empty those?

When my Irish roommate left in 2001, I learned my first Change Jar Lesson: he'd left behind a small Mason jar of change, and I took it to the bank. That little bottle had $65 in it! Imagine what is in that watercooler jug!

My theory is this: if all the money in men's change jars were gathered up (it's out of circulation anyway), we could pay to fill all the potholes in NYC and update the entire subway system, as well, with millions left over. It's a gold mine just waiting to be discovered! We could even reform the healthcare system!

So when I'M Mayor . . .