title: Code skips if statement even though parameters are correct
body: <p>This code is supposed to take the input from the customer in this format "$(amount of money)". The if statement is to check that the first character in the string payment equals a '$' but this doesn't set off the if statement it it keeps reading as an invalid payment. </p>
  
  <pre><code>double money = 0;
  String payment = input.next();
  String $ = "$";
  String test = payment.substring(0);
  if (test.equals($)) {
    System.out.println("You entered " + payment);
    payment = payment.substring(1, payment.length() - 1);
    money = Double.parseDouble(payment);
    if ( money &lt; sum ) {
      System.out.println("Not enough money. System terminating.");
      System.exit(0);
    }
  System.out.println(payment);
  }
  else {
    System.out.println("Invalid coin or note. Try again.");
    payment = input.next();
  }
  </code></pre>