What is the trick to get a note into one of those plastic sleeves with damaging the note. Maybe I'm just dumb. I can get them in about half way... then bang the sleeve on the table to get it the rest of the way. They never seen to get to the bottom though. What am I missing?
This works pretty well. Cut two pieces from a slick glossy magazine cover (twice the size of your currency). Fold both pieces in half, glossy sides outwards. They should insert easily (side by side) into the plastic sleeve. Now insert the currency between the two pieces -- again, should be easy, sliding over the slick cover(s). Remove both pieces of magazine cover with tweezers and save for re-use. But the simpler answer is to buy larger plastic sleeves.
Try some WD40. I debated whether or not to put a disclaimer to what should be obvious, but on the slightest chances someone took that advice seriously, please don't...