I bought 3 shirts for $4.25 each and a dress that was $12.00. If I gave the cashier $30.00, how much was my change?

The total cost of the 3 shirts is $4.25 x 3 = $<<4.25*3=12.75>>12.75

The total cost of all the items is $12.75 + $12.00 = $<<12.75+12=24.75>>24.75
My change would be $30.00 - $24.75 = $<<30-24.75=5.25>>5.25. Answer: \boxed{5.25}.