Money and Cost
| US MONEY INFO |
| Currency Name |
US Dollar |
| Symbol |
US $ |
The American paper bills or its banknotes are often confused with each other especially among its tourists and visitors because all has the same size and color. Always take note never to have over too much amount of cash and to always check your change very meticulously. Notes that have some small rips can be accepted but be wavy in accepting those incomplete and those severely torn notes since those kinds are almost always not refused.
American bills come in different denominations like $ 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 (rare) and 1 dollar. Coins come in different denominations as well like: 50 cent, 25 cent (quarter), 10 dime, 5 nickel, 1 penny and also the dollar coin.
CHANGING YOUR MONEY
The used of credit cards and debit cards such as the Visa Cash Passport Cards are very widely accepted in the country. Also, accessing your bank accounts with the use of those ever present and ever reliable US ATMs. The use of travelers checks is very convenient since it can be easily converted to cash from any banks. But you need to have your passport for proper identification.
MONEY TIPS
If you plan to stay or camp on US hostels, ride on public buses and cook your own food, then you can definitely explore the beautiful country about US$ 50 / day. But staying at motels while eating at some modest cafes will cost you about US$ 100 or even more a day plus enjoying the comfort of a rental car could hit your budget up to US$ 150 a day.
| SAMPLE PRICE GUIDE |
| Souvenir T Shirt |
US$ 10.00 |
| Small Bottle of Beer |
US$ 0.95 |
| Liter of Bottled Water |
US$ 0.95 |
| Liter of Gas |
US$ 1.55 |
| Loaf of whole Wheat Bread |
US$ 1.45 |
| New York Hot Dog |
US$ 1.50 |
| Hotel Double Room |
US$ 70.00 US$ 100.00 |
| Restaurant Meal |
US$ 25.00 US$ 40.00 |
| Printing a Roll of Film |
US$ 5.00 |
| 1 lb Ground Beef |
US$ 1.85 |
| Broadway Show |
US$ 100.00 US$ 250.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
US$ 7.00 US$ 9.00 |
| Gallon of Milk |
US$ 3.50 |
| Internet access per hour |
US$ 3.00 5.00 |
| Pound of Apples |
US$ 1.20 |
| AVERAGE ROOM PRICES |
| LOW |
MID |
HIGH |
DELUXE |
| US$ 12 -60 |
US$ 60 100 |
US$ 100 180 |
US$ 180+ |
| AVERAGE MEAL PRICES |
| LOW |
MID |
HIGH |
DELUXE |
| US$ 3 10 |
US$ 10 15 |
US$ 15 20 |
US$ 20 + |
TIPPING
The tipping culture is widely practiced in the country. It is particularly expected in areas such as restaurants, cafes and hotels. In some restaurants are there is the extra rate of 15% or sometimes even more on the bill.
When dining in fast food outlets or on a self - service environment, bear in mind that tipping is not expected. Those taxi drivers, hairdressers and bartenders would depend on small gratuities.
The sales tax of a particular item would vary from one state to another but generally it has only a 5% to about 8% difference but on some states they enjoy a NO sales tax. Those top - end and leading accommodations in the country also charged a bed tax to its patrons that is as high as 15%. So, also try to check if their quoted rates of lodging already include all other relevant taxes.