java - Code skips if statement even though parameters are correct -

this code supposed take input customer in format "$(amount of money)". if statement check first character in string payment equals '$' doesn't set off if statement it keeps reading invalid payment.

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 < 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(); } 

payment.substring(0) returns entire string, want compare "$" payment.substring(0,1), or compare payment.charat(0) '$'.

so either :

string test = payment.substring(0,1); if (test.equals($)) { 

or

if (payment.charat(0) == '$') { 

will work.

another option is:

if (payment.startswith ($)) {