Cash, cash, cash! Nothing feels or looks better than a newly minted coin or paper bill. So, why settle for mutilated money? If it's been destroyed by water, fire, chemicals or other forces of nature, exchange it through the department of the treasury. The federal reserve follows two criterion for determining dead currency: if it's less than one-half of the original bill or the value of it is questionable, you may have a case. And don't hesitate to trade those old, tired and flimsy bills at your bank.