As someone said, prepare ahead of time. I wouldn't worry about quarters. If the total amount is going to be off by fifty cents. I will donate fifty cents. Especially if you are talking about paying half price as it is. It might be worth it to just stop at a bank every now and then and get change. Or if you are at a grocery store or somewhere like Walmart, just request more than what you are paying and they will break it down for you also.
We write checks only when it is necessary. We never carry a checkbook with us. IT stays in the same drawer at home until necessary. We don't even go through a book of checks in maybe a couple years. We also usually don't carry cash, which is something we need to do more of.