by Tammy N.
Member since:
December 28, 2008

What does a TRILLION dollars look like?

March 11, 2009 11:34 AM EDT
views: 48 | comments: 16

I think Americans are becoming desensitized by the value of $1M vs. $1B vs. $1T.

Recently, I've tried to stop using M, B, and T in favor of putting the zeros in.  I think it looks more "real" when you do... it's harder to confuse the values that way.  For example...

$1M = $1,000,000 (6 zeroes)

$1B = $1,000,000,000 (9 zeroes)

$1T = $1,000,000,000,000 (12 zeroes)

Here's a tutorial my hubby sent to me earlier today.  It gives a good picture of what $100 dollar bills look like in various sums.. million, billion, and trillion.  If you are curious as to what a single dollar would look like, just try to visual the stacks of money multipled by 100!  On trillion dollar view, make sure to notice the relative size of the man in the lower left-hand corner... it's pretty shocking!

http://www.pagetutor.com/trillion/index.html   

 

 

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Comments: 16

AC W. Mar 11, 2009, 11:40am EDT
I saw something on TV the other day that said (talking about the stimulus bill) if you spent 1 million bucks an hour, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you would not run out of stimulus money for 411 years!
Levin (RUSE the.magazine) Mar 11, 2009, 12:25pm EDT
I don't know if 3.6 TRILLION is enough? (hint of sarcasm)
Elizabeth B. Mar 11, 2009, 12:35pm EDT
that is a lot of zeros!! geesh.... 411 years and one mill an hour..dang I would run out of things to buy lol
Elle L. Mar 11, 2009, 12:37pm EDT
Geeze, and the sad truth is my tax return has never been smaller! That was not the "change" I needed!
Lisa Yang Mar 11, 2009, 12:40pm EDT
That was a great link. I think the reason we don't picture this is because it never gets converted into actual dollar bills. It does, however, eventually see a number form as it is divided up and credited to various organizations. It's just a number on a balance sheet. That's probably a big part of the problem.
Chris E. Mar 11, 2009, 12:48pm EDT
I don't think we have become desensitized i think he knuckleheads in our government have.
Desiree T. Mar 11, 2009, 12:49pm EDT
Can you show it to me in person please? LOL
Tammy N. Mar 11, 2009, 12:55pm EDT
411 years!! Oh my... and we expect to pay off the National debt???

Lisa, you are right... I think this is why Dave Ramsey recommends the envelope method when budgeting... the money is a tangible item then!

Desiree... in the immortal words of someone before me.... the check is in the mail. Cash it and we'll both be in trouble! LOL!~
Nora C. Mar 11, 2009, 1:41pm EDT
Wow. I'd be happy with even the $1M!
Jenysie Jane Mar 11, 2009, 1:58pm EDT
A Trillion $ is a ton!!!
Cool exercise...very convicting...I hope the government reads this!!

Photobucket



Thanks for sharing with The Comment Sweet Spot!!
Desiree T. Mar 11, 2009, 3:11pm EDT
LOL Tammy! You're funny.
Gessy D. Mar 11, 2009, 3:37pm EDT
Wow 1 Trillion I could run a whole country with that amount
C C. Mar 11, 2009, 4:17pm EDT
very interesting, thanks
karen h. Mar 11, 2009, 4:20pm EDT
thank you i know i will never see that
Jennifer B. Mar 11, 2009, 10:03pm EDT
Thank you for the post. Very interesting
Intriguding indeed. ~ Comment #8 from my guessing contest.

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