RIP to the Penny: The Real Reason It’s Gone and the Future of Money

Everyone's Talkin' Money

Shari Rash

Self-improvement, Business, Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Education

4.2 • 648 Ratings

🗓️ 18 November 2025

⏱️ 12 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

The penny has officially been laid to rest — and while most of us won’t shed a tear, its retirement marks a surprisingly big moment in how America handles money. In this quick update, I’m walking you through what happened to the penny, why the U.S. finally pulled the plug, and what this tiny change means for your wallet and the future of cash. You’ll hear: Why the U.S. Mint stopped making pennies and how much money it saves How other countries (like Canada) ditched their low-value coins decades ago What rounding rules mean for your everyday purchases Why this signals a major shift toward a digital-first financial system What to do if you still have jars of pennies hiding in your house A little funeral, a little financial education, and a lot of clarity about where money is heading next. Talkin’ Points → where your money gets smarter. Real talk, practical tips, zero guilt straight to your inbox. Sign up here. Be sure to like and follow the show on your favorite podcast app! Keep the conversation going on Instagram @everyonestalkinmoney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey Harry.
0:00.7	Hello mate.
0:01.5	Got any tips for the football?
0:02.8	Your best bet is to head over to Bet Victor.
0:04.9	They'll give a new customer as a terrific welcome offer. If you bet a minimum of £10, they'll give you £30 in three bets. Oh, that's a steel of a deal. It's a good darn deal that'll make your squirrel for real. Neil? My name's not Neil. I know, bet it rhymed. Listen to Harry and make your best bet on the football at Betvictor.
0:23.4	18 plus opt in best bet on the football at BetVictor.
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0:28.8	Gamblerware.org.
0:30.0	Ladies gentlemen, financially frustrated Americans everywhere.
0:34.7	We gather here today in a moment of national reflection. A moment none of us
0:39.7	asked for, but here we are, to lay rest to a tiny, coppered, colored companion who has lived in our
0:47.3	pockets, our cup holders, and the darkest, dustiest corners of our homes. Yes, the penny. Our smallest, most useless, and somehow
0:57.7	most abundant coin has officially retired by the U.S. Mint. Let's take a moment of silence for every
1:05.2	time a cashier handed you four pennies back and you thought, what am I supposed to do with these?
1:13.0	Thank you. Okay. Let's talk about what actually happened and why the government finally pulled
1:19.0	the plug. You're listening to everyone's talking money, the show that's all about making life
1:24.3	richer, from your bank account to your mindset and everywhere in between.
1:29.2	Whether you're here to crush debt, build wealth, or finally feel in control of your cash,
1:35.3	you are in the right place. Let's dive in and get you living life on your terms. You are one
1:41.0	conversation closer to financial freedom.
1:55.0	Thank you. You are one conversation closer to financial freedom. So what happened? As of January 1st, 2026, the U.S. Mint will stop producing new pennies.
2:03.0	Existing pennies are still legal to use, but no fresh batches are coming out.
	...

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