Paula had her first panic attack six months ago. She was in her office preparing for an important work presentation when, suddenly, she felt an intense wave of fear. Then the room started spinning and she felt like she was going to throw up.
There is about $1.2 trillion dollars of U.S. currency in circulation. The Federal Reserve Banks distribute new currency for the U.S. Treasury Department, which prints it.
U.S. banknotes have a surprisingly short lifespan. The most frequently used denominations, such as the $10 and $50 bills, have an estimated life of less than five years, estimates the Federal Reserve. Banknotes remain in circulation while they are still in good condition, but once they deteriorate they are destroyed.