Rounding up - Our two cents

NOT before time, the Wexford experiment of 2013 aimed at taking those infuriating 1c and 2c coins out of circulation finally went national yesterday when customers at last had the option of their change being rounded to the nearest 5c.

Recognised globally for its Opera Festival which specialises in putting on rare and forgotten masterpieces, there could hardly be a better town in the whole of Europe than Wexford in which to stage such an experiment. To be fair though, the idea of ridding the world of commerce of those tiresome little coins was also tried out in the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Hungary, and Belgium. Predictably, the result was a resounding yes.

Those who suspect their friendly shopkeeper of consistently rounding up can always opt out as the scheme is voluntary which means people can ask for the exact change. But with millions in women’s handbags or the lining of men’s trouser pockets and in every bedside drawer and kitchen jug, the best thing to do is to collect them all in a bucket and give the resulting hoard to your favourite charity.