Electronic payment systems like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay services are fantastic when you are out and about. Unfortunately, it gives the user the mistaken comfort that you don't need to carry credit cards and cash. Remember back in the day, it was not a good idea to just carry credit cards and no case. Fast forward to today - if your smart device is not working or if your provider is down, it can put you in an embarrassing situation. I always carry a few credit cards, a $20 bill, and a bunch of two-dollar bills - people love getting tipped a “Jefferson!”

Did you know the first $2 notes were authorized by the Continental Congress nine (9) days before the birth of America? There is $2.4 billion dollars worth of $2 bills in circulation as of 2017. Want one/some? If you can find one of your bank branches open, you can ask them for $2 bills. They should be able to order them if they have none. I do it all the time!

Interested in the history of the $2 bill or other United States currency? Check out the U.S. Currency Education Program at https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/2 before paper bills disappear; perhaps forever!

In a future posting, I'll discuss the convenience of taking payments, for trust accounts or otherwise, using mobile payments.

Happy Lawyering!