---
type: Tip
title: Carry small change
description: Break your notes before you need them — in much of the world nobody has change, and a large note can stall an otherwise simple transaction.
tags: [money, cash, practicalities]
timestamp: 2026-08-04T12:00:00Z
---

# Carry small change

Harry's repeated experience is that small vendors, drivers and even major
transport hubs simply do not hold change. Turning up with a large note leaves
you either overpaying, waiting while someone goes to find change, or unable to
complete the transaction. His advice is to get notes broken down in advance
rather than assuming the seller will solve it.

## How Harry applies it

Paying for his head massage in [Delhi](/places/delhi.md), the exchange stalled
on change — and he generalises it on camera: nobody in India ever has change,
anywhere you go, even at train stations, so it's worth getting change
beforehand. The same day, his fixed-price shirt purchase in
[Old Delhi](/places/old-delhi.md) came down to whether he was holding the
right notes.

## Demonstrated in

- [Crazy $10 Challenge in Delhi, India 🇮🇳](/videos/abnAQ26UKlY.md)