I own my apartment. I am not going anywhere. Back to the US is never going to happen. My social security wouldn't even cover my monthly bills there. I am here to stay come hell or high water.
I have to pay my building consorcio and my health insurance premium to their banks. I deposit cash to their bank accounts via ATMs. I have no bank account here.
No small denominations. Its 100$ bills if you want the highest exchange rate,. Regular shops and restaurants take pesos. Many places give a discount for cash ( effectivo). Cash is king.
I have four verdurias around my block. I use the autoservicio. You pick out your own. When I first started going there I was señora. Now I am mamita. It helps to be able to laugh and joke in Spanish. And I love their cat.
It is so much cheaper than the States. My favorite neighborhood cafe yesterday had a lunch menu executivo for 6000. P. You can't get a glass of house wine in the States for 6$. I can still get a nice bottle of wine at my Chino for 2000.p.
I still have my library card from my town in Arizona. I read books and magazines on kindle. And listen to audio books. And love Walrus Books on Estados Unidos in San Telmo