Have you gone cashless?

I always carry enough cash to buy the routine stuff. I can get what I want, and spend a few seconds at the cashier, and be on my way. It's a bit irritating to be in line behind several people buying minor items with their plastic...and each one fiddling around for what seems like forever, getting their purchase authorized, then playing with the pad, and invariably forgetting to hit "done" when they finally figure out how to sign their name. We use a credit card for unexpected major purchases, or traveling around, etc. I don't think we've paid a nickel in interest on anything in the past 20+ years....and the Discover Card says our Credit Score is 822.
 

I think even if I had a credit card, I'd only use it for "big stuff" and leave the piddly-diddly purchases to cash. There was a woman I used to with with that put EVERYTHING on her credit card, even if she bought a pack of chewing gum. She said that way, she has a record of everything she buys.
 
One of the problems I've found is getting rid of coins. I've got this huge glass jug full of coins that I have been collecting for years. It's so heavy I can't move it. I can't find a bank that will take all of them. Those coin machines in stores want 15%. That's way too high.
 

fuzzybuddy said:
One of the problems I've found is getting rid of coins. I've got this huge glass jug full of coins that I have been collecting for years. It's so heavy I can't move it. I can't find a bank that will take all of them. Those coin machines in stores want 15%. That's way too high.
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Too bad you don't live close to me - I LOVE wrapping coins. Banks won't take a large amount unless wrapped. When I cleaned out my uncle's apartment 2 years ago, he had a huge jar of coins. I wrapped them and it came to over $240. Here's a pic of them when I was done. I even found an old silver dollar among them.

coins.jpg
 
There was just something on the local new along this line. Studies show more and more people are using their cards for small purchases. That being less than $5. I do not have a credit card per se, but my bank card (attached to my checking account) is a debit/credit card.
 
The only routine purchase I make with a credit card is gasoline, at the pump, it saves me having to run inside and wait in line for an authorization. Using cash helps me to control my spending and stay within my budget. I also like the idea of using cash so I don't leave an electronic trail of every little thing I buy and everywhere I go.

As I mentioned in my earlier post I'm amazed that people don't keep emergency cash on hand at home. To me a stash of cash is just as important as the the other emergency supplies that people keep on hand for natural disasters.
 
Butterfly said:
Almost all debit cards nowdays treat "funny" transactions the same way credit cards do. I can challenge a debit charge and go thru the same type of thing I would with, say, American Express.
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Seems like we had this discussion before? It is better to deal with a disputed charge than to deal with getting your money back. There is a timeframe involved in getting things settled and this can be big problem if enough of your money is unavailable to you. In a worst case scenario they might clean out your checking account. Also how quickly you notice and notify the bank might be more critical with a debit card. I don't see any reason for me to use or to even have one when I have credit cards, with credit cards that I pay off in full each month I get cash back and I get to use the banks money as a buffer... what is the down side to that?
 
Laurie said:
Surprised that totally cashless seems so common in the US.

How do you manage if buying a newspaper from a newstand, or at a bridge tool or similar? Do you ignore atreet charity collectors, or rhe church collection plate? Do they all have contactless card facilities?
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1. Newspaper - delivered or convenience store rack
2. bridge toll - Fast pass
3. panhandlers - your choice
4. churches - auto payment or check if you're so inclined
 
Don M. said:
I always carry enough cash to buy the routine stuff. I can get what I want, and spend a few seconds at the cashier, and be on my way. It's a bit irritating to be in line behind several people buying minor items with their plastic...and each one fiddling around for what seems like forever, getting their purchase authorized, then playing with the pad, and invariably forgetting to hit "done" when they finally figure out how to sign their name.
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I put the card in the reader, wait a few seconds, then remove it. Easy peasy and fast.
 
I used to write a check for everything but not any more. I find it sort of irritating to be waiting in line at the grocery store and someone waits until they get the total to fill out their entire check and then have to hand over an ID. When I wrote a check, I already had the payee info written and my signature done, so all I had to do was put in the amount. I guess I am impatient!
 
nvtribefan said:
1. Newspaper - delivered or convenience store rack
2. bridge toll - Fast pass
3. panhandlers - your choice
4. churches - auto payment or check if you're so inclined
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Thanks for that, but I was thinking generally rather than specifics.

Is there really never an odd occasiob in the US where you need just a few cents?
 
debodun said:
Yes, when you reach in your wallet and there's nothing there, at least you know it's time to stop. Credit cards allow people to over-spend. That's why there so much card debt these days.
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Yup, reaching into the wallet and having to pull out a $20 bill makes a person think about the wisdom of the purchase. Using plastic for everything increases the odds of running up debt, needlessly, IMO. It's no big thing if a person pays the full amount when the bill comes, but those who just pay the minimum balance each month are really hurting themselves, financially. Depending upon which report a person looks at, the average household debt...not including major items like a house or car...varies anywhere between $5,000, and $16,000. That keep the banks rich, and winds up costing the holder of that debt far more than buying their items with cash. Around here, many of the local stores offer a 3% discount for paying with cash...that's what they figure their cost is for processing purchases made with credit/debit cards.
 
Don M. said:
Around here, many of the local stores offer a 3% discount for paying with cash...that's what they figure their cost is for processing purchases made with credit/debit cards.
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One time I was on vacation with a friend that necessitated making an overnight stay. When we went to pay for our separate rooms, my friend payed her bill with a credit card. I paid cash. My friend was charged an extra 5%. She said at that time it was wrong to charge extra for paying with a credit card. I didn't know since I never had one. So it seems you are either rewarded for paying with cash or penalized for paying with "plastic".
 
nvtribefan said:
Well, I'm sure that will be the least of our worries, won't it?
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For some people, I think it might seem to be the end of the world. There will always be those whose world crumbles at the slightest provocation, and those who can adapt and survive.

Of course, having zombies chasing me down the street WILL have a slightly higher priority ... ;)
 
I have three debit cards I never use and I carry only one. It's in case I have to use an ATM machine (which I've only done about 3 times in my life). But if I do, there's no fee no matter where I use it. If something is under $8, I pay cash. If it's more I'll use my credit card so I can get my reward points.
 
Always cash unless for a big ticket item (car, refrigerator, washing machine etc.)

Utilities are on "Auto Pay" . and are subtracted from my checking account.

I always keep several hundred $$$ at home and take what I need when I go shopping..

I never hold up the line at check out.
 
Falcon said:
Always cash unless for a big ticket item (car, refrigerator, washing machine etc.)

Utilities are on "Auto Pay" . and are subtracted from my checking account.

I always keep several hundred $$$ at home and take what I need when I go shopping..

I never hold up the line at check out.
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Falcon, I'm glad to hear you say that you never hold up the line at check out, that is one of my pet peeves and also one of my fears as I get older. I always make sure I have my discount card ready to swipe and my cash or credit card in hand when my turn comes at the checkout. I don't want to become one of those doddering old fools that seems surprised when the cashier asks them to pay and then fumbles around for five minutes to find a credit card or the exact change!!!
 
I only carry a small amount of cash $8 - 10 and I don't ever use it unless I absolutely have to and I refuse to use debit cards (used for a short while when traveling abroad to get local cash; otherwise too risky.) I pay almost everything with a credit card - even groceries. I do most of my shopping online - love Amazon!
 

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