Just started a retail job and struggling with counting money

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Hi everyone,
I just started working in retail about three weeks ago as a sales associate, and I’m realizing how hard this job is for me when it comes to handling cash. I’ve always struggled with math since I was a kid, but I didn’t know that what I had was actually something called dyscalculia. I honestly didn’t even know it was considered a disability until recently. If I had known that earlier, I might’ve mentioned it before applying — but at the time, I just thought I was “bad at math” and pushed through it.

Now I’m in a position where I have to count change and handle money quickly, and it’s extremely overwhelming. My brain just goes blank under pressure. I was taught how to count money growing up, but it never made sense to me. And now, being in a fast-paced environment where people expect fast, accurate transactions is stressing me out to the point where I get emotionally overwhelmed just writing this post.

So far, I’ve asked for help a couple times from co-workers to count the money with me so I don’t mess it up — but next week on Friday, I’ll be closing the store by myself for the first time, and I’m really scared. I won’t have anyone to help if I get confused or freeze up, and I don’t want to make mistakes or get in trouble.

What’s making it harder is that I don’t even know how to bring this up to my manager. I never mentioned dyscalculia before because I didn’t realize how serious it was. And I’m worried that if I do bring it up now, she won’t take it seriously or might just say, “That’s your problem, not mine.” It feels like no one really understands what discalculia is, unlike dyslexia, which people seem to at least recognize. I feel really alone in this, and I don’t want to lose my job or disappoint anyone, but I also don’t want to feel like I’m drowning every shift.

Has anyone here dealt with something similar? How do you manage cash in retail with dyscalculia? And how do you even begin to explain this to a manager who may have no idea what it is?

Thanks for reading if you got this far. It’s just been a lot emotionally.

Have your bosses complained about your work performance? If not I would try and stick with it. I wouldn't last 5 minutes in a job like that.

everybody goes through a learning curve. I had somebody practice with me when I started my first checkout job, took a while but it feels more natural after you do it for a while.

Try to practice while it's quiet and even count the money in your wallet as practice. Take a calming medication if possible but if not, just take a deep breath as you'll find it much easier if you can stay calm. We all learn new things as we go along. I admire your determination to succeed at your new job and wish you the best.

I thought a lot of young people have trouble counting money.
It was a skilled that I learned because my father was a store manager but never had to use it on the job.

It was a common skill decades ago. Not just counting money, but making change.

Just beware... Might it look like some money disappeared while you were handling it?

Sorry guys I just saw the comments, I’m new in this website I don’t know how to use it. And I apologize for any grammar mistakes English is not my first language.

I’m going to answer your comments and questions, I’m going to add a little bit more about me and my situation with dyscalculia:

I’m originally from Nicaragua, and back home, the coins are easier to understand — they clearly show the value, and I was used to recognizing them. When I’m alone and need to double-check how much money I have to pay for something, I can usually do it at my own pace. But in the U.S. ( I just started to live in the States a year ago, so I’m still adapting on the money currency), it’s so much harder. I get really confused with the coins and bills here, especially under pressure. Giving change is the hardest part for me, and even though the system usually tells me what to give, I still get anxious and frustrated — my brain just shuts down sometimes.


When I was a kid, I was diagnosed with dyscalculia, but no one really helped me. My grandparents would ask me to count money, and I would just freeze. I felt stupid. I never got any kind of support or intervention for it. I’ve noticed that people with dyslexia seem to get more awareness and understanding, but dyscalculia just gets ignored. There’s barely any information about it, and that makes it even harder to advocate for myself.


I’m actually having a bit of a breakdown over this. I’ve been really overwhelmed and scared that I’ll mess up, and even more scared about what would happen if I got fired. I don’t want to have to tell my mom I lost my job over something that feels so “stupid,” even though I know deep down it’s not stupid at all. It’s just something I’ve struggled with for years.



I was diagnosed with dyscalculia as a child, but sadly I never got any real support or help. My family didn’t know what to do with it. When I was little and my grandparents asked me to count money, I’d just freeze and they’d get upset. I’ve always felt so ashamed about this. I didn’t even know dyscalculia was considered a disability until recently. I feel dumb saying that, but it’s true. I didn’t realize I might’ve had the right to ask for help or accommodations.


And honestly, I don’t even know if my job offers accommodations for something like this. I’ve never heard of anyone bringing up dyscalculia where I work, or needing help like this — which makes me feel even more alone and unsure about how to start that conversation with my manager. I’m afraid they’ll think I’m just making excuses or not taking the job seriously, when in reality I care a lot and I’m just really struggling.

And to answer some questions:

My manager hasn’t complained about me not know how to handle the cash, she doesn’t know about my issue, I haven’t told her. I’m doing well with the costumers but I’m still learning a lot of stuff about how the store works and retail stuff, I’ve never worked on retail before so this is completely new to me.

I do know how to count money by myself but when I’m under pressure I can’t do it fast I’m very slow or I just don’t know what to do.

Recognizing the different types of coins might be manageable. Using your computer can you make a reminder sheet showing a penny, a nickel, a dime, a quarter, and a 50¢ piece...each labeled with a picture and a note for how much it is worth? Using that, you might be able to count coins.

But when you're seen with that reminder sheet you certainly will not inspire confidence in people.

And with or without that sheet, are you likely to make mistakes?

If you are likely to make mistakes then maybe it is not a good job for you. Especially since it involves money...no matter how innocent your mistake is, because it involves money people might assume it was not an innocent mistake.

In any event, it might be a good idea to preemptively tell them you have trouble counting money. Rather than attributing it to a mental problem, perhaps you could attribute it to a cultural problem...noting that U.S. coins and currency are unfamiliar to you and you think that could cause you to make mistakes.

Good sound advice from DR. He's had plenty of life experience! I'm not all that far behind!

It must truly be difficult not having English as first language! I think they need to take that into account.

Many of us have had to learn skills we didn't ever think we would manage, and while I don't have dyslexia or dyscalculia I don't handle pressure well and sometimes had meltdowns of different types while still working fulltime. I have worked in some high-pressure situations and didn't handle them well for the most part. It's when things are super busy.

In my country the coinage is pretty easy to learn and it's just 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2, R5 and then the paper notes.

If you bring this issue up OP, it's possible your manager would assume that you cant handle the job & you might get fired. If you could possibly transfer to another department at the store & say do something like stocking shelves or custodial stuff instead, it might be worth a try asking for a department transfer. If you do stop working there, I would suggest applying for jobs that do not involve handling & counting money. It's good you tried giving the job a chance & tried working through your issues but if your majorly struggling & stressed & cant adapt after a bit, being a cashier might not be a good job for you & other types of job might be a lot better for you.

you have a lot of time to see what your good at

Oh...I'm assuming each coin would be represented by a circle the same size as the coins of that denomination and the correct color. A picture of the face (and reverse) of the coins would be nice but they are starting to vary that a bit.

Amazon lists a number of coin counters. Some are fancy machines, but still under $200. Other devices are under $20 but not as automated.

Doesn't the cash machine calculate the change? And all you'd have to do is know how much money you're being given? Every place I buy from, the cash box displays the change owed. You must be working in some little ma-and-pa antique store or something like that? As for closing the store by yourself, how about using your phone's calculator?

And why would your boss say, "That's your problem, not mine" when you're HER employee working in HER store?

You can also show her, off your phone, a brief narrative of dyscalculia.

Lots of employers have policies against employees using their phones when on the clock & not on break. The three places I worked at had those policies & two of them were retail but I never worked a register, I did custodial stuff while the stores were open.

I have dyscalculia & when paying with cash while shopping I have problems quickly processing & counting the cash & change I'm grabbing to pay & what I'm being handed back, it's one of the reasons I almost always use a card to pay. Perhaps the OP has a similar type of issue.

I don't know what kind of reasonable accommodations her employer could allow her. I would assume that being able to handle money quickly is a major requirement for being a cashier, being fast was a cashier requirement at the two retail jobs I had. If the OP were to be allowed to work slower than the other cashiers that could lead to resentment from the other cashiers(I hated management expecting me to get more cleaning done than some others) & if the OP does work slower than others an extra cashier might have to work during her shift to make up for her slack. I'm not trying to sound negative here but I know in retail(as well as lots of other places) that employers/management generally want to get as much work done as possible while hiring as few employees as possible, employers want a skeleton crew.

The good news is that for these no experience required jobs such as retail, there is usually a grace period of a couple/few months where new employees are expected to learn & catch on. Since the OP is new she might not be expected to meet speed requirements yet & she might have a little more time get faster. However if she still has major problems another job might be more suited for her. Even a bit(or perhaps a lot) of non-disabled NTs struggle working in retail. Yet for some reason retail workers are stereotyped to be lazy slackes. I'm guessing that stereotype is perpetuated by employers as an excuse for only paying workers the minimum-wage & the fact that those jobs don't require college degrees, certifications, or special license & lacking those gets associated with a person being too lazy to apply themselves with school

im looking for a job rn and I can't find anything that isn't cashiering bc I hate counting cash too but I think you'll get thru it