You’ve had a long day, your mind is racing with a shopping list and your only goal is to get home as quickly as possible. You stand in front of the supermarket, mentally repeating to yourself what you need, and confidently head for the trolleys. But that’s when the harsh reality hits: you need a coin – and you don’t have it on purpose. Your pockets are empty, your wallet is empty.

But who among us carries change in our pockets these days? We pay by card, by phone, by watch… Everything around us is speeding up – only the hole on this metal relic of the past continues to smile from the locks of the trolleys, forcing us to look for alternative ways. Fortunately, over the years of these mechanisms’ existence, a number of surprisingly simple tricks have emerged to unlock your trolley without having to return to your car or ask strangers for help.

An inconspicuous companion on the keys

The first and most common solution is to get a portable token. Nowadays, it no longer looks like a kitschy plastic pendant, but instead you can find stylish and imaginative designs that can also serve as a modern accessory. The advantage is that you always have it with you, it doesn’t wear out like a coin – and most importantly, you finally don’t have to check your wallet before every purchase.

The power of an ordinary key

But what if you don’t have the token and the coin is nowhere to be found? In that case, you can get by with a perfectly ordinary key. In fact, the round end of most ordinary house keys can fit perfectly into the coin slot in the trolley lock.

Simply remove it from the bundle, insert it and push it in slightly, as if you were imitating the insertion of a coin. The trolley releases obediently and you can go shopping in peace.

It’s a faithful card!

We often carry cards in our wallets that we no longer use – old loyalty, club or expired discount cards. These are the ones that can become another handy tool to unlock your shopping trolley.

Try folding it to the approximate width of the hole, breaking it and then inserting it into the mechanism. The card replaces the coin for a moment and releases the lock. When you return the cart, simply pull it out again and safely put it back in your wallet for possible future use.

Sometimes we use an item we find in our purse or backpack to unlock the basket ━━ Sometimes we use an item we find in our purse or backpack to unlock the basket ( Source: Swaasfotografie /  Pixabay )

Creative solutions from everyday life? That’s possible too!

It probably sounds unbelievable, but there are other, more creative ways to get around the wheelchair. Sure, you might not carry the following items around in your pockets all the time, but you never know when you might accidentally find them in the bottom of your handbag…

One of these clever little things is a can cap. If you can manage to rip it straight off without bending it, it also makes a great coin replacement. Just insert the narrow end into the hole and push, this should release the cart without any problems. This trick is especially appreciated by those who indulge in a refreshing can of soda or energy drink before shopping and the eyelet would otherwise end up in the trash.

In a pinch, a cotton bud can also help. If you accidentally discover it in the bottom of your backpack, it can easily fit into the trolley lock thanks to its size and shape. Tuck it into the hole, the mechanism unlocks and you’re ready to go shopping. When you’re done, just gently pull the bar out. Admittedly, it’s not the most practical solution, but in a pinch, it’s also a delight.

So whatever situation you find yourself in, there’s alwaysa solution.

These tricks will help you avoid inconvenience and allow you to shop in peace without undue stress. Whether you reach for a portable token, improvise with a key, pull out an old loyalty card from your wallet, or use a creative “lifesaver” in the form of a metal can opener or cotton bud, you’ll be sure to never be caught off guard by a missing coin.