Money Travels
Have you ever heard someone say, “Money travels?” It really does! Money is paper bills and metal coins. It goes on a long journey before getting into someone's hand.
Print the Bills
Bills are printed at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington, D.C. and in Fort Worth, Texas. Workers in both places check the bills to make sure they are perfect.
Hold the Bills
The new bills are sent to Federal Reserve Banks. The bills are kept in a vault. A vault has thick metal doors. It is a safe place to keep money.
Deliver the Bills
Trained guards drive trucks that have thick metal sides. They take the bills to local banks, like the ones in your neighborhood.
Take Money Out
The local bank keeps the bills. People use an ATM or they go to a bank worker called a teller to take out some of the money.
Spend the Money
People spend the money on many things they need or want.
Replace the Bills
In time, paper bills wear out. Local banks put worn-out bills back on the special trucks. The worn-out bills are shredded. Then they are replaced with new ones.
Fun Money Facts
- A dollar bill lasts almost two years before it is shredded.
- The largest bill ever printed in the United States was the $100,000 bill!
- Each day, the government prints 37 million bills worth about $696 million.
- About 18 tons of ink per day is used to print those bills. That is equal to the weight of about three elephants!
- In 2003, the Bureau started printing bills with a new design that is hard for people to copy. So far, the new $20, $50, and $10 bills are out. Next comes the new $5 in 2008. Later, new $100 bills will be printed.