I generally use my credit card for purchases at the grocery story, even at movie theaters now that ticket prices are usually over ten bucks.

But I will usually pay cash at fast food places, card shops, or convenience stores.

The other day, I ran out to my favorite place for banh mi, a Vietnamese sandwich shop, so I could lunch on a Number 2.  That’s a roasted pork sandwich on a hard roll with a wonderful assortment of spicy, pickled condiments.

When the manager, who is always polite but is always in a hurry, rang up my order and said seven-forty-nine, I performed the ritual of coin hunters everywhere.

I ran my hand across the bottom of my purse, then into the zippered compartment where I keep my driver’s license and most-used credit card, then went on a quick dive into my front pants pockets.

I smiled even though everyone in the counter line was waiting for me.

I sighed with satisfaction when I pulled out a five-spot, a couple singles, a quarter, two dimes and four very old pennies.

I had to think about this transaction during the time I stood to the side and waited for the kitchen help to emerge from the back with my order.

Why did this minor event of having the exact change make me so happy?

Of course, it’s nice under any circumstances, to have precisely what is called for in a situation. Whenever I’ve been able to produce a Band-Aid or nail file just when someone asks for such an item, I feel well-prepared and helpful.

I feel like I’m honoring myself when I don’t let the agenda of others determine what I do.  The fact that I took a few seconds to act on my knowledge that I had the correct coinage on me felt good.

The time I took to locate my pennies and dimes didn’t really delay anyone significantly, and I felt good about sticking with what I set out to do rather than bailing on my intent because I was worried about whether a stranger did not want to exercise a little patience.

I also felt lighter.  Something was so nice about getting rid of the weight of coins I carried around with me.

Sometimes, I have taken on the weight of coins for no better reason than I was just too lazy to look for the right change.

I thought of all the times when I would simply hand over a twenty or a ten dollar bill and just accept whatever change was counted out for me.  I would throw money into my purse or pocket unconsciously.

I didn’t give much thought to what resources I had or where I should be able to find them.

But the morning before this transaction occurred, I remember looking at a pile of coins on my dresser, emptied from my pockets the previous night.  I didn’t count the change, but I imprinted the image in my consciousness.  I knew, generally, what I had.

There’s something empowering about knowing what you have, what your resources are and where those resources can be found — waiting only for the right time to be used.

So, my own mindfulness about my cash situation, made me feel empowered and happy.

Paying with exact change is no small thing.