First authorized by the Coinage Act of 1792, the dime is the smallest unit of US coinage. The current dime depicts the profile of President Franklin Roosevelt on the front. On the back is an olive branch, a torch and an oak branch. But, with the transition to digital currency, you may be wondering what you can do with the dimes you have. So, here is a list of 83 things you can do with a dime.
- Drop change in Unicef boxes on Halloween.
- Pay your kids to do chores around the house.
- The next time you pass by your neighborhood lemonade stand, buy a cup and support young entrepreneurs!
- Throw some coins in the next fountain you pass.
- Leave a bad tip. But hopefully you won’t be in the position to have to do that.
- Trace around a dime to draw a circle.
- Hand out a dime while giving “You’re a 10!” compliments.
- Roll your dimes as you save more and more.
- Make a $5 donation to a cause of your choice.
- Give a roll of dimes to a friend as a gift
- Similar to the dime challenge, save every dime for your next vacation.
- Follow the same process as #11 and save to pay off a debt.
- Follow the same process as #’s 11 and 12 and donate to a charity.
- Save to buy a friend a gift.
- Pay a toll.
- Save to pay for all of the baby gifts that you will find yourself needing to buy as friends have children.
- Begin your Christmas savings pot.
- Begin your Hanukkah savings pot.
- Begin your Kwanza savings pot.
- Purchase some Wet & Wild makeup the next time you go the store.
- Use your change for your work lunches.
- Use your change to purchase your work related treats.
- Use your dimes to build up your grocery fund.
- Stock up your product pantry for winter with dollar store finds.
- Buy energy efficient light bulbs.
- Use dimes the next time you have a candy craving.
- Purchase your next Justin’s Peanut Butter cup with two dollars worth of dimes.
- Use your change for the tips that you have to pay during your next trip.
- Create a gas fund. Every time you have dimes (or other change) save it!
- Use your dimes to save for long-term goals that you’ve set for yourself.
- Use your dimes to pay off your debt!
- Use your savings to pay for your dental insurance.
- Use your dimes to pay part of your health insurance premium.
- Donate to Heifer International monthly.
- Save and purchase a pair of Tom’s shoes. With that purchase a person in need will also receive a pair of shoes.
- Use your change to add to your barista’s tip jar.
- Pay your blog expenses with ad revenue that typically grows one dime at a time.
- Purchase your next used t-shirt with some dimes.
- Buy a cup of McDonalds dollar coffee.
- Get an ice cream sandwich the next time the ice cream van passes your house.
- If you’re a romance novel fan, you can buy as many books as you would like for a dime a book (usually on a sale day!)
- Save for a friend’s charitable cause-don’t let it be said you’re not helpful!
- Create a themed family fun night where you can only use dimes to bring that night to life.
- Go on a date night with your loved on and have a cap on the amount you’re allowed to spend.
- Go to the zoo.
- Build up your emergency fund.
- Save your dimes for your next yard sale.
- Cash in your dimes to purchase gifts for office mates.
- Give your dimes to a homeless person or a charity
- Use the dime to unscrew a flat head screw
- Pick up an energy bar.
- Pick up an actual paper newspaper. Preferably the New York Times.
- Pay your kids their weekly bonuses for doing a good job with dimes.
- Go to the thrift store on ½ off day and go crazy!
- Buy a meal for $5
- Purchase your next cheap beer at your local bar, but make sure you change your dimes to bills! Make sure you also know the cheapest beer you can purchase.
- Use your savings for networking expenses.
- Give your dimes to your spiritual friends so they can cast a money spell.
- Teach your children about saving by using their change to fund their 529 plan.
- Look for and collect rare dimes.
- Save for short-term goals.
- Pick up treats or gifts for strange holidays like national taco day.
- Save for baby items like cloth diapers and nuk nuks.
- Tithe.
- Cash in your ibotta change and buy a drink.
- Use your change for your “I have to fix the broken things in my house” fund.
- The next time you’re at a food truck party pay with your saved change.
- Donate to your local art museum’s donation box after attending a free day.
- Fund your Roth IRA.
- Fund a household emergency fund.
- Send change to help the U.S. government pay off its debt.
- Feed people who need help with groceries.
- Purchase chickens for your backyard.
- Fund a scholarship that you create. Ask donors to only contribute in increments of .10 at local fund raising drives.
- Pay for an at-risk youth’s camp participation.
- Save for a babysitter so that you can take your spouse out on a date.
- Use the dimes to make art.
- Drill a hole in it make jewelry.
- Cash in your change for your next cab ride.
- Pick up some bath and body works travel-sized products for your next trip.
- Replace your phone cord-again.
- Pick up some dishwashing soap from your local dollar store.
- Buy random vinyl records from the thrift store to see how they sound.
Bonus Idea: Check your dimes to see if they are worth more than face value. Dimes made before 1964 are generally worth more than face value – this is because they are 90% silver. In 1964 and in later years dimes were made out of copper and nickel. These older dimes are worth their face value – just 10 cents (Per Wikipedia).
There are a number of other things that you can do with your dimes, but this list is a great start. Pick up a jar or find a nice piggy bank to begin your savings today.
