Good Grief!..Doesn't anybody pay for something with Cash anymore?

[BlueJazz]

..or are People terrified of carrying Money.

This is not so much of a Rant than total Bewilderment.

I mean, I see folks in stores getting milk... Use Credit Card.
Buy Cigeretees..Use Card, Buy One loaf of bread..use Card.

I (almost) NEVER use my Card.
The main reason is time and for larger ticket items..it's Smart...
..Like last week I bought a New Digital Camera from Circuit City (with cash.. $230.00)
I didn't like it.
I took it back into the store....told the service desk I didn't care for it...
Zip, Zip, Zip..."Here's your $230.00 sir" ...and I'm out the Door!
No crap about a check being sent in the mail or whatever and having to sign 17 pieces of paper.
"Sorry Sir..Since the amount is over 100 dollars we can't give you credit right now..Etc..Etc"

Anyway....I'm done.. :)

[NMDemDist2]

1. doesn't seem like it

I try to carry cash usually and if i'm out, I ask the nice clerk at the store for "Cash Back" when I whip out the old debit card

[MADem]

2. Are you sure it isn't a debit card? I have one of those, and I also have

a checkcard that appears to be a credit card but it's actually a debit card.

I use them a great deal. But I don't HAVE any more credit cards. Got rid of 'em. I'm debt free completely, and I like it that way!

[BlueJazz]

12. Opps...Yes ...Debit Card....But I still like to get Money back and not ..

...have to wait 10 minutes while the poor salesperson has to run the card though and sign my life away.. :)

[Book Lover]

3. I use cash only myself, but I have friends who

fly alot and so the way they set themselves up fiscally, they end up getting quite a few air miles each month due to their use of the cards. And some folks like the cashbacks they get with certain setups. Different strokes...

[seabeyond]

i use cash under ten. otherwise the card. no more time than cash in

most all places. i like to keep cash for running in for a coke or something. all goes on credit card and i pay all at end of month. i also get frequent flyer miles and am not charged a rate, just an annual fee. i am not scared though

[etherealtruth]

4. You wouldn't be able to tell my debit card from my credit card ...

I am afraid to carry cash ... I'm the mother of 3, any cash I have is immediately confiscated by those to whom I have given birth.:)

Seriously, many people use their debit cards in place of personal checks; it may not be as it appears to you.

[phylny]

5. I use our credit card for everything possible, including paying cable,

newspaper delivery, groceries - everything. I'd pay for college tuition and my mortgage by credit card if I could!

We pay the bill off every month, don't carry a balance and get cash back. It adds up nicely.

[XboxWarrior]

56. yeah, yeah, yeah.....

I grow plants for a living.....

my flower buyers use cash!

can I argue?

I use my debit card at the grocery......

makes me look civil.

peace

[Hardrada]

6. I carry cash around and also write checks.

Use my biz credit card for biz expenses though since it is easier to keep track of tax-deductible items that way. Some of the people you describe may not have their own businesses or companies.

[POAS]

151. Your wasting money on those checks

and your probably annoying the people waiting for you to finish writing that check and then show your ID.

How is it a waste of money? You paid a printing charge for those checks right? Do you have the checks returned to you with your monthly statement? If you do you are paying for that service.

I use my debit card for every purchase and if I use it like a credit card (that is actually signing a receipt instead of entering a pin) my bank pays me 25 cents per transaction. The money comes out of my account immediately and I don't have to keep track of outstanding checks.

[Hardrada]

186. They don't ask for my ID around here.

In any case, when people do choose to use checks, others should exercise the Virtue of patience. Being rushed through everything is a serious fault of our present "civilization."

[POAS]

190. I'm sure you don't take very long

writing your checks and I'm sure the other people behind you are not terribly inconvenienced.

It's funny though that I also wrote about the extra cost you are incurring yet you only responded to my comment about inconvenience. Sorry if my attempting a little helpful advice inconvenienced you and thank you for your patience.

[Hardrada]

204. Really, we always like free advice. But, you know, banks

love people to be always using debit cards since some folks tend to be too optimistic and overdraft that way. It's too easy to do and banks don't mind this because they can charge a few penalty fees (or a LOT of penalty fees), don't you see?

[Rabrrrrrr]

7. Pretty much just use my card. I get annoyed at places that don't take it.

There aren't many of those places yet, but I've gotten screwed a few times at restaurants and some other places when I go to pay and the jackoffs say "Sorry, we don't take credit cards".

Seriously, what the fuck? This is the 21st century.

I hardly ever use cash - pretty much only for small things.

Otherwise, it all goes on the card. It's just easier.

(and I use a debit card, not a credit card)

[BlueJazz]

14. What you say is True But.. Damn...it's SO nice when you have to return ...

...something to get the Dough NOW! :)

[Rabrrrrrr]

20. But, since I never used cash to pay for it to begin with,

it really doesn't matter to me if all they can do is a credit to the card - in fact, I prefer that over getting cash back (because I'm the type to then go spend the cash).

[Nia Zuri]

23. when you use a debit or credit card for returns

amount is instantly credited to your account, also, some stores don't require a receicpt when you've used a credit card, they can do the look up of the purchase based on the product sku and your card.

[pitohui]

17. well it's the 21st century but things will have to start going the other way

i realize people love their "cash back" cards but it's eye-opening how big a burden they put on the small business person

it really just knocks the profit out of a lot of businesses to pay so much to the credit card companies

knowing what i know, it just seems wrong to pay with a credit/debit card for a few (very hard to redeem) frequent flyer miles at a small business

the chains, who cares, and i have certainly picked up my share of cash backs and free flight tix

but going credit/debit only puts a HUGE burden on independent businesses, i'm just saying

[Rabrrrrrr]

25. The independent businesses have the choice whether to take cards or not.

And I don't know that I would call the 2-3% surcharge HUGE.

I WILL say that it's totally unreasonable, though. For the card companies to charge that much to the business just to take the cards is ridiculous.

The businesses need to rally together and say "Hey - wait a minute, you bastards!!!!!" and renegotiate.

[mtnester]

85. I am with you on that...I tried to pay for some gas at a major brand

gas station...and they aid "no we do not take debit cards."

Sheesh...my hubby who runs his biz out of his truck will take everything credit and debit except Amex. Swipes it on an Aircharge machine attached to his Nextel, fat encryption, and the customer gets a nifty carbonless receipt to sign. No hassle going back to the office and entering all that crap, and we have NEVER had a chargeback (knock wood..no)

[pitohui]

104. reality will intrude soon enough

you will get your chargebacks sooner or later, and probably at the least convenient time

i hope you enjoy them

some people don't care about anyone else until they go through it themselves because "i never thought it could happen to me!"

[mtnester]

155. You know what? So far, after 1 1/2 years in the business...we have not even had

a bounced check. As hubby's "dedicated" bookkeeper, I had to tell him he had to tell people that "the office" would not let them write checks for an amount that exceeds the invoice...if they wanted to tip him, they had to do it in cash. (It is a bookkeeping menace to deal with if you are not in the restaurant industry and set up for it).

Now, will we get a bounced check at some point? Sure. No way I believe we will be lucky enough to go through the entire business career without one. However, we are considering adding AIRCHECKZ to our machine, so we should not even have to worry about that.

My husband has NEVER met a stranger, and everyone simply loves him as he is polite, respectful, clean and treats people with the ultimate in customer service. We have received letters from people, and we make sure, monthly, to send a thank you postcard out to every single customer we do business with. In September, we sent a gift certificate for dinner at a very nice place to our very first customer ever, and they were stunned that someone would think of them that way. We plan on sending that out to them every year.

Now, if we get a chargeback, it will be difficult to deal with a garage that has no door on it when we come and take it back....and yes, we have a tenacious and top notch lawyer for those type of things (if you are going to use a lawyer, you may as well use one that enjoys biting someone's leg off who is trying to screw you).

Now, if anyone can suggest how we fight the state for more in discounts when we do their effing job by collecting destination based sales tax...I would love to hear it! That pisses me off more than anything. If I pay early, I might get a whole $10.00 credit for early filing of said sales taxes. If I am simply ON TIME, I get ZIP. I mean, we do them a SERVICE, and get NOTHING for it except MORE taxes with a Commercial Activity Tax once my business reaches a certain level of gross sales, which in my opinion is PUNITIVE upon a small business just when they start rolling.

I cannot WAIT for the sweeping clean of my statehouse this January...ALL Dems walking into the major offices (governor, AG, SOS, Treasurer, ALL)

:)

[pitohui]

196. oh i see, you're superior to everyone else so it can't happen to you

My husband has NEVER met a stranger, and everyone simply loves him as he is polite, respectful, clean and treats people with the ultimate in customer service

do you not understand how jerky that sounds, guess what, the people i know are kind polite people who give great customer service too

as i said upstream, some people are incapable of caring about an issue until it touches them, i present your post as exhibit a of that type of uncaring

[mtnester]

200. Here is one for you...I don't think that at all, I am proud of the service we give

and what my husband is....

and you are an utter and complete asshole for that one...TOTALLY uncalled for response...
Speaking of uncaring..I guess as an expert in that you would know...

Oh, and before you edit away your assholeness, here is the shit you threw:

"oh i see, you're superior to everyone else so it can't happen to you
Posted by pitohui

My husband has NEVER met a stranger, and everyone simply loves him as he is polite, respectful, clean and treats people with the ultimate in customer service

do you not understand how jerky that sounds, guess what, the people i know are kind polite people who give great customer service too

as i said upstream, some people are incapable of caring about an issue until it touches them, i present your post as exhibit a of that type of uncaring "

choke on it fucker...click

[Dunedain]

209. Pretty much not thinking it through....

seriously, .17 a transaction on average, plus a percentage of the total bill to boot. I'm one of those little players who had to bite the bullet and get a service, and this "jackoff" now averages over $200.00 a month in processing fees, so people with your attitude can have their convenience. :eyes:

[Ms. Clio]

8. are you sure they are using credit cards?

My check card is a Visa card, and I do use it for almost everything, although I always try to carry some cash for really small purchases.

[Skittles]

210. same here

I find them convenient and use them to get cash money too

[sandnsea]

9. I'm all about the green

or whatever color our money is these days. But my kids use their debit cards for everything. I understand it costs businesses money, so I don't get why they prefer cards to cash. Just another change I guess.

[kestrel91316]

18. I own a business and I sure as hell prefer the green stuff. I also

welcome personal checks from my established clients. The damned credit/debit cards cost me money every time clients use them. And the % of the bill that goes toward fees gets quite high if people use them on tiny purchases. I get charged a percentage PLUS a per-transaction fee.

[pitohui]

21. they DON'T prefer the cards to cash

i was recently talking to a small b&b owner and she said that she is not allowed, under the terms of her credit card contract, to give people a price break for cash even though the credit/debit fees are eating her alive

she's not supposed to tell customers, so how do they know unless they themselves have been involved in small business? they don't, and meanwhile on teevee there are a million ads telling you how debit/credit cards are better than cash!

this lady's business is probably going to end in bankruptcy from the sound of it, too many fees, too many expenses, just nowhere to turn any more

these days, there is every trick in the book to make sure the little guy can't make any of the profit, he just gets to do all the work

i did not fully understand how the merchant has to help pay for the cash backs, but i got the point, that it was a big problem, she has completely stopped accepting any discover cards for that reason

[Ellis Wyatt]

36. If accepting credit cards offered her negative economic value

she would just stop accepting credit cards altogether.

That she still accepts some, means that even with the fees she loses, she realizes that accepting credit cards offers her positive economic value, and therefore, by definition, the credit cards help her more than hurt her cause.

[pitohui]

103. she would like to stop accepting cards altogether

unfortunately in the hotel industry this means closing the doors and going on welfare

i really don't know what she's going to do

i know in my case that the endless fees eventually cost me my business, i was working too hard to pay everyone but me

many small business people only survive by cheating and i won't do that, many honest people won't

they are squeezing out the decent people and leaving only the scumbags

[irislake]

52. If that's true I will use cash

in smaller places. Get cash back at the supermarket.

[tridim]

10. Debit cards are faster than cash

But only if you're on the ball. That means swiping and typing as your stuff is being scanned.

IMO checks should be outlawed. Especially when the customer waits until the last possible moment to get out the checkbook and fill it out.

Edit: I like using my debit card so I have an electronic record of every transaction. No such luck with cash.

[RaleighNCDUer]

19. But credit cards are slower than either --

was stuck behind a guy today at a gyro shop who paid his $7 tab with a credit card, and had to wait for it to process, for him to sign the copy, etc etc.

I paid cash, and it took 15 seconds.

I get so pissed when everybody doesn't do things the way I do...

[mondo joe]

34. People are more slow than any process.

I've seen people be incredibly slow with cash, checks and charge.

If you have everything ready to go as soon as can be used, you're good.

If you wait until the last minute, and fumble around looking in your pockets or purse, any method of payment can take a long time.

[SoCalDem]

80. "I KNOW I have a penny in the bottom of my suitcase-sized purse"

I have "paid off" many a grocery amount just so i wouldn't have to wait while they looked for coins...

Once a lady in front of me was in the throes of "put this back & see how much it is now"..I handed the checker a $10 and we snet that lady & her kids on the way.. a good deed for me, and a faster check out :)

[shanti]

126. pay it forward

that was nice of you :)

[POAS]

152. Amen---I get really annoyed at the check writers

Especially the ones that ask how much over the purchase amount they can write so they get change to pay cash at their next stop.

Yep, inconvenience me so you don't have to stop at the ATM.

[Pirate Smile]

11. I use a credit card which is actually a debit/credit card. It is the same

as writing a check. It comes straight out of my checking account. I use it all the time and don't carry much cash. I'm not "scared" to carry cash. I just don't keep much on me.
It hasn't been a problem with returns. I don't see the problem.

[Beelzebud]

13. I paid for 600 dollars worth of PC equipment in cash, and everyone looked at me like I was nuts.

As I was leaving the store I made sure to comment to the guy that this was so cool to have all this new stuff, and to not have it on credit, but to actually own it.

I'm one of those freaks that will actually save money for a month or two and just buy what I want.

[The River]

51. I'm Exactly The Same

A medical bankruptcy 6 years ago took
me off the credit-go-round. Everything but the rent
and electric bill is paid in cash.
I don't worry about carrying cash because
I'm too big and mean looking to be robbed. and...
I've never been more solvent.

[Greyhound]

71. We are why they are trying to get rid of cash. If you are not worried about

your credit rating, they have less ability to dictate to you, and cannot control you through endless debt.

[Solon]

109. I do the same thing...

Right now I'm saving up for Christmas money, I'm waiting for some cash to come in and then going X-Mas shopping this weekend, hoping the weather gets milder though.

A few years ago, when I bought my recent upgrades to my computer, I spent about 800 bucks for pretty much all the major stuff, Mobo/CPU, RAM, and Case/Power supply plus some other stuff. It was from a smaller, locally owned computer company, and, at first, they looked at the cash I carried as if they would catch leprosy if they touch it. But after they "highlighted" it(checked if the 100 dollar bills were fake), they were all smiles, and they even helped me carry the stuff out to the car.

[Misskittycat]

177. I've done the same thing. Mine was $900.00. Use cash all the time. n/t

[MrCoffee]

15. i almost never have cash on me anymore.

unless i'm going on a road trip where i might need some emergency money, i don't carry cash.

[Bandit]

16. I never carry cash. Always use my VISA

It is a Debit Card so I only spend money I have but it is so much more convenient..:shrug: Never thought I would hear anyone bitch about it but I guess people will bitch about anything..

[BlueJazz]

26. Ah... You...My (Hopefully) Du Friend... have never stood in a ....

...Long Line at the return desk while people screw around trying to find their Card and the overworked service desk person is about in Tears...

...and Besides..it's fun to Bitch...

[seabeyond]

32. i keep mine in back pocket. quick as a flash to whip out

much quicker than someone digging for exact change. i have it swiped and waiting for cashier, so i can sign, again, much faster than the cashier trying to figure out change.

HEY all you CASH using people, what are you doing making me WAIT so long in line, how dare you. go to a card, wink

teasing

i am just so patient with people and not a big deal to me.

[irislake]

53. I had a senior's moment once

at a supermarket check-out. I couldn't remember my password numbers. There was a long line waiting and that didn't help me to remember. Awful.

[William769]

22. Whats cash?

My money is direct deposited, then I use my debit card. Not only is it safer, if I lose or have the card stolen I can cancel it. Can't do that with money.

P.S. I do keep a small stash of cash in the house in case of Emergency's.

[billbuckhead]

27. I think you should pay higher taxes on purchases if you use cash

This would kick hell out of the underground economy. Why shouldn't crooks pay more?

[William769]

28. Sorry that doesn't make sense to me.

:shrug:

[billbuckhead]

95. I think citizens should be rewarded for being transparent

We can't expect the government to be any better than we are.

[Solon]

115. So now we have no right to privacy?

Jesus H. Christ, here's a dollar bill, buy a clue.

[billbuckhead]

128. If you use a bank and a Kroger card you're already there

Why should I subsidize crooks. Of course there have to be improving all the time safeguards, but the horse has left the barn a long time ago.

[Solon]

129. Look at post 111 as to why I don't use banks anymore...

Also, we don't have Kroger's around here, and I really hate store cards, period, hell, I lie when Best Buy asks for my phone number after a cash purchase. Why they ask for such shit, I have no idea.

[Dunedain]

211. demographics

spending habits by area code.

[RaleighNCDUer]

48. Some of us who are NOT crooks depend on the underground

economy.

[Megahurtz]

72. Fuck That!

So you think that everyone that uses cash is a crook?:wtf:

That's really messed up, Dude.

Likewise, you guys should be the one's paying more because
you pay a nice percentage already eveytime you use your card.}(

Maybe we all should just get a Bar Code stamped on our foreheads.
Would that make you feel better? :sarcasm:

[Ariana Celeste]

76. Am I criminal for not trusting banks and credit cards?

Do yourself a favour, and watch the PBS Frontline episode on Credit Cards. THEY are the fucking crooks.

[Solon]

114. So, being poor is criminalized now?

Cause most of the poor use cash, they have too, whatever credit cards they can get have interest that is so high they cannot even afford the payments. Also, I don't see how this would stop the "underground economy" that is mostly used to avoid paying sales taxes in the first place.

[Ani Yun Wiya]

147. Why shouldn't crooks pay more?

I have NEVER used plastic.
Always cash to pay and preferably cash in being paid.
Since when does that make me a crook?

[PVnRT]

160. Don't feed the trolls. Thank you.

n/t

[MadHound]

181. Not only are you foolish in your notion, but it seems that your attitude towards

A person's privacy is, well, lacking.

First off, in your great rush to get rid of the underground economy by having this country go cashless, you are forgetting a few vital elements. First, and the largest, is that our entire economy depends on the underground economy. Right now the underground black market economy makes up at least ten percent of our annual GNP. Take that away and you will see the US economy crash hard. Second, the vast majority of the poor use cash, they can't afford to use plastic. Therefore your proposal would hurt these people the most. Thumbs up on the compassion for those with the least in our society:sarcasm: Third, the underground economy wouldn't go away. It would take a serious hit for awhile, but it would figure out another way to get paid, humans will always find a way when it comes to fulfilling their illicit and illegal desires, from drugs to sex to whatever. All that misery you cause, all of that economic chaos you cause, it will all be for naught.

And while you may enjoy being a sheep, with your every move, purchase and waking moment scrutinized by either government or corporations, most of the rest of us are rather uncomfortable with the idea, if not downright hostile. I prefer to not use plastic for several non-privacy reasons, I don't have to pay the extra fees, I don't have to worry as much about ID theft, it's quicker to use cash, etc. etc. But yes, one of the big reasons I use cash is because I don't want to have my life under somebody's microscope. And no, I don't use debit cards or discount cards either. I will fight with all I've got not to suffer such scrutiny, not because I'm a crook or engaged in illegal behaviour, but I believe in the principal of individual being free from the prying eye of others. While you may love Big Brother, I don't, and find those who try to force Big Brother down my throat to be going against the spirit on which this country was founded on.

So frankly, what you propose is simply wrong, for many different reasons, and the reason for this proposal I find to be more suited to Orwell rather than America.

[rocktivity]

206. Same here, except that I keep enough cash for small purchases.

What's easy to overlook about direct deposit is not only does it cut down on trips to the bank, your money is instantly cleared. I just finished a contractor job where once a week I had to drive to the agency to pick up my check, drive to a check cashing place to cash it, and drive to the bank to deposit it. The alternative was waiting for the check to arrive in the mail--and if I didn't cash the check before depositing it, I'd have to wait a few more days for it clear completely. Thankfully, I am now working with an agency that offers direct deposit.

As for buying food with credit cards, I know it's purely psychological. Spending twenty dollars on food eaten in a restaurant with a credit card? Normal. Spending twenty dollars on food in a supermarket with credit card? Irresponsible. Spending twenty dollars on food in a supermarket with a check? Impractical when there are such things are debit cards. Spending twenty dollars on food in a supermarket with a debit card? That's perfectly acceptable to me--I guess it's because it EQUATES to parting with cash which you don't HAVE to replace!

:headbang:
rocknation

[onethatcares]

24. I just bought 3800.00 worth of windows with cash

The salesclerk wasn't sure how to issue a receipt. WTF???? After running the counterfiet pen over the money, they didn't have a drawer for that many Cnotes.

[Ellis Wyatt]

41. baffling

You realize how easy it is to get a credit card (AMEX, VISA, MC, they all offer it) that gives you AT A MINIMUM 1% cash back on your purchases?

So you basically spent an extra $40 on the windows. If you can afford $3,800 windows and have that much cash lying around, then $40 may not be a big deal to you, and if so, kudos on your success. But multiply that one purchase on that one day, by all of purchases you'll make over the rest of your life.

We're talking tens of thousands of dollars you're just leaving on the table.

[beth9999]

43. Of course that assumes...

... that you're disciplined enough to pay off the balance each month. If you don't, anything you've gained in "cash back" will be more than wiped out by the interest.

[Ellis Wyatt]

46. absolutely

correct.

But I always pay my bills at the end of every month, so I don't have to worry about interest. And the guy who can shell out $4k on windows on the spot probably doesn't have to worry about it either.

[onethatcares]

82. it is a matter of having cash

you know, those sniveling little bills that don't want to be in a bank account. Does anybody else ever do misc. jobs and collect dollar bills,or take a bit of the paycheck and stuff the mattress?? Or do people just expect to be given checks and credit slips? Sheesh, have I stumbled onto something heretoforunseen?

[Ellis Wyatt]

168. wow, I hope not

Putting cash in the mattress is just foolish.

Your deposits in the bank are FDIC insured up to $100k, so unless the government goes bankrupt, you don't have to worry about it. And unlike your mattress, the bank pays interest on your money (small as it may be)

On top of that, when you put your money in the bank, it can put 10x that much into the economy because it means that banks can use your deposit as a basis for loans to small businesses & individuals (10x is a federal statute, not my prediction)

[Solon]

111. Not really, I plan ahead myself...

and SAVE the money till I need to use it for "big" purchases. That's the advantage of cash, if you need to make a big purchase, but don't want to pay interest because you don't MAKE well over 3 grand in a month, then saving up the money, a little bit at a time, over a period of several months will allow you to purchase such things without paying 15% or more interest if you put it on a credit card. I don't make a lot of money, not really, but with a little budgeting and smart shopping, you can get quite a lot of stuff, if you want it. Though, even with Debit cards, there are problems, I had to replace the back window on my convertible a couple of years ago, luckily, it was a separate assembly that was bolted to the convertible top frame, but still cost close to 300 bucks.

I had the money in the bank, just got paid, so I went there with my debit card, and it was promptly rejected by their machine. What happened was that my bank had a "theft security" technique of limiting the amount of money I could withdraw per day, so I had to wait till the next day to get my car back, something that was inconvenient to say the least. The limit was 500 bucks, and I finished grocery shopping, after borrowing my parent's car that day. It actually wasn't that much money, a little over 200 bucks, enough food for me and my roommate, we alternated grocery shopping, for 2 weeks of food.

Unfortunately, my car wasn't done by the Vinyl place till about 4 PM, I didn't even get a chance to talk to the bank that day, both places closed at around 5. The next day, I called the bank, and told them, straight up to get rid of the limit. They actually said no, something to do with insurance or something, so I withdrew my money and swore off banks. Already got screwed with another bank before, because they wouldn't deposit my paychecks on the next business day, they did it, seemingly randomly, throughout a period of 2 weeks, which really pissed me off when I had to pay late fees for bills and rent, or worse, bounced checks. These were paychecks from a major corporation, no less, and they couldn't deposit them? What the fuck is that about?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

89. Pretty Stupid Right?

That's how I look at it.

I get a discount because I use my credit card. Not sure why that would be something to gripe about. But what can ya do.

[Leopolds Ghost]

125. You sound like those people on TV who crow about how they got 3 shoes for the price of two

Sale addicts. It's a math phobia. How much do you pay your credit card company every much? What percent of that is interest and what percent is balance? I bet it's more than 1% and not restricted to large purchases.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

130. What An Ignorantly Assumptive Statement That Is. I Always Pay My Statement In Full Every Month.

0 interest. All rewards I receive are pure rewards. On my 10,000 new furnace I'm having installed, I just saved a $100 cause I'm putting it on my credit card. $100 bucks, just like that.

Your entire premise in your reply is wrong as it relates to me, so I'm not sure what motivated you to reply in that manner to begin with.

[Ellis Wyatt]

170. None. Zero.

That's the point. Did you even read what I wrote?

I pay no annual fee. Not that difficult - very few credit cards charge a monthly fee
I pay 100% of my balance every month. Also not difficult. Only charge what you can pay for. Pretty simple. I've never paid one red cent of interest to a credit card company. It's called discipline.

Therefore, my cost to the credit card company, is....calculating.....calculating....approximately zero dollars and zero cents.

Yet, I receieve 1-2% cash back from my credit card every year. Over $100 a year.

I am still shocked that people are trying to make a mathematical argument AGAINST credit cards. If you can pay for it in cash, it means you have the money to pay for it. If you have the money to pay for it ANYWAY, then charge it on your card, and get 1-2% cash back.

[NickB79]

202. It also helps your credit score

Rent, groceries, clothes, gas, it all goes on the card, and it all gets paid off at the end of the month. I get about $10-$15/mo back, and every little bit helps.

Besides the cash-back bonus, there's also the boost a properly managed credit history gives to your credit score. When I purchased my first new car at 25, the lady behind the counter was amazed I had such a good score. All I've ever done is pay my bills on time, every time, and not use my credit cards on frivolous things.

[Solon]

127. What if it simply wasn't in his budget for the month?

What if he only makes about 3 or 4 grand a month, hence couldn't afford to pay off a credit card in a month? Which is smarter, saving up the money over a period of months yourself, or using a credit card, and having to pay off a 5 or 6 grand debt due to interest rates?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

131. Ummm Hellooooooooo, Save Up The Money, But It On The Credit Card, Reap The Rewards, Pay Off

statement in full.

Yeah, that's difficult.

[Solon]

135. So you can use a credit card like a bank?

In other words, you can put money into the card, that you can then use later, so you remain in budget? Sorry, never had a credit card myself, I remember getting the offers back when I was around 17, they always went in the trash. Also, where are the rewards, and when do you get them? If you don't fly, nor use the card much, where is the benefit? Also, I've seen and been offered interest free cards before, but those deals never last more than a year, what is the length of the contracts, usually?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

137. I'm Perplexed As To Why This Is So Hard For You To Follow. The Post Related To The Context Of Mine

spoke about paying cash for windows. The money had already been saved. When paying with cash, the money has to already exist. Why you are twisting that into an argument about not having the money saved is an enigma to me, since the very concept of already having had the cash to begin with is inherent in the entire context of this argument.

The entire point is that if you already have the cash to buy something, put it on a credit card instead. Then use that very SAME cash you would've used originally to immediately pay off said card. That way you not only receive the goods, but you also as an added bonus receive the rewards offered by the card. This is an amazingly simplistic concept, and I hope it is now able to be understood.

Here's a repeat example: I just went through a cash out refinance. I have the cash in my bank. Part of it will be going towards a new gas 95% high efficiency furnace and air conditioning. Total bill is about ten grand. Instead of using the cash, I'm putting it all on my credit card. That will immediately give me 10,000 points or in cash terms $100.

Therefore, if I was like the other poster and paid in cash 'just because', my bill would be $10,000. Because I'm smarter than that and put it on my credit card, to be paid off in full with my cash, my bill is now $9,900. I saved $100 while also having the piece of mind of the protection that comes along with a credit card as opposed to the risks you take paying a contractor friggin cash.

So you may want to argue that my method was not the smart way, but that notion would be absurd on its face.

I hope this concept has now been made clearer.

[Solon]

138. I have a question, why aren't all credit card companies out of business by now?

Seriously, if they are as generous as you make out, then something is definably wrong here, actually, a better question would be, what's the catch?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

139. The Only Catch Is Being Personally Responsible Enough To Pay Your Balance In Full Each Month.

That's it. And under the majority of circumstances (barring unforeseen life events) that is something 100% in the control of the cardholder.

The problem is too many people abuse the cards and pay countless thousands of dollars in interest. But if you pay it off in full each month, you pay 0 interest. But you still get every penny of your reward if your card offers a rewards program.

I don't even care what my card's interest rate is. I don't need to. I pay it off in full each month religiously. I get the convenience/protection of the card, and money back for every purchase I make.

If you are responsible enough to spend ONLY what you can pay off in full religiously each and every month, credit cards are wonderful.

[Solon]

140. See, the reason why I don't like credit cards...

is that I don't like being in debt, period, when I got a college student loan, I paid it off a full 5 years early, when I got a car loan, I paid it off 3 years early(on a 5 year loan!), since I paid off the car, I haven't been in debt in 10 years. I also lost my trust in banks who apparently don't know how to handle my money any better than I do, nor would I trust Credit card companies. Hell, if everyone was like you, I imagine they will start dropping customers like you really quick. Also, the whole "unforeseen life events" thing worries me, really, last thing I need is to break a leg, lose hours at work, and have to rely on a freakin' credit card to get by, and then be in debt for 10 years after the fact because of it.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

141. Thing Is Those Unforeseen Events Would Happen Anyway.

Without the card, your fucked immediately with no possible means of survival. With the card your fucked over time, but at least it gave you some ability to survive.

But both situations would suck. That's why each of us just go on hoping that we don't get touched by such unforeseen dramatic events.

I hear ya about not wanting to be in debt though. I wasn't always this responsible with money as I am now. Years ago I was always in debt. Tons of motor vehicle surcharges, unpaid credit cards, court fines, lawsuits for breaking a lease, etc.. But I worked hard to get myself out of it and now refuse to ever have to be in debt again. Having debt over your head is one of the biggest burdens one has to endure. But that's why I never quite understood why it is so easy for some to abuse their credit cards knowing full well they can't afford what they are purchasing. The money in interest they just throw right down the drain is mind-boggling.

[Solon]

144. I've been screwed over so much, from so many different angles...

its not even funny. When I was younger working Full-Time at Wal-Mart, at the time they didn't have direct deposit, and I would deposit the money at the SAME BANK my Wal-Mart used. I just moved into a new apartment with one of my co-workers and his brother. Anyways, I started having problems, I deposited my check every night on payday, the bank was right down the street. Convenient enough. This would be on Friday, I knew I wouldn't really get access to the money till Monday or Tuesday, but that didn't really matter, most of the time. However, at the end of the Month, I was expected to pay my share of the rent, came back with a bounced check, I was furious, I deposited the money almost two WEEKs before I wrote the damned check, and they didn't deposit it yet.

I called the bank, they apologized for an "error" in the system, and they absorbed the cost of the 25 bucks, then it happened again, the next month, again, I called, the error was resolved. This happened again, twice more, it was getting ridiculous. I got fed up, and moved my money to another bank.

Fast forward about 5 years, the car I paid off had one little problem, the plastic back window on the convertible top was broken. Big deal, I actually just got paid, so I called a vinyl place that gave me a good price, thank goodness the back window is a separate assembly from the top itself. It was 300 bucks, instead of 1 grand or more for an entire top. Anyways, so they had to keep the car for a couple of days, I borrowed my parent's car inbetween the time. My friend gives me a ride to the vinyl place so I can pick up the car, no big deal I thought. My dad was working that afternoon. Anyways, my buddy left so he could go to work and I walk in, they say its all set, I pass through my debit card, REJECTED.

OK, so I'm flabbergasted, the only money I spent that day was going grocery shopping in the morning, about 200 bucks. The lady at the vinyl place actually said its probably a theft prevention thing, that the bank doesn't allow me to take out more than 500 bucks per day on the card. So anyways, I had to call someone to pick me up, unfortunately, everyone was either at work, or otherwise indisposed, either I got voicemail or nothing. So I had to walk about 5 miles back home, dodging traffic, I had no cash, and cabs around here(suburbia) charge outrageous prices. It was funny, I did a quick calculation in my head, with taxes and everything, I was precisely 5 dollars and 30 cents over my daily "limit". This was easy considering I still had the damned receipt from the grocery store in my wallet.

By the time I got home, it was dark, I was tired, and literally fell into bed. The next day was a day off for me, see I was smart, I thought, I scheduled the fixing of the car with my vacation. Anyways, so I call the bank, and ask for them to remove my daily limit, they actually said no, I was like, WTF? So I withdrew my money from them and swore off banks entirely.

Don't get me started on utility companies, I apparently owe Laclede gas 800 bucks for gas I couldn't use cause I didn't live at the apartment at the time, and I TOOK my name off the damned bill. On Landlords, I was sued for an accident I wasn't even there to do, and they try to squeeze money out of me, etc. With my luck, I get a credit card, sent a full payment in, and they'll "forget" the payment for six months and I'll be up shit's creek just trying to fight it.

ON EDIT: One last note, what a surprise, my credit sucks too.

[Ellis Wyatt]

173. Credit card companies

Make about 10-15% on interest/fees from their cardholders. That's it. The vast majority of their income is from transaction fees paid by merchants. It's approximately 2.5% of the purchase that the retailer pays off because of the credit card. Some of it goes to the consumers credit card company (issuing bank), some of it goes to the retailers bank (merchant bank) and some of it goes to the network that communicates between the two (Visa, MC, etc).

They aren't out of business because even when I pay 100% of my credit card bills every month, and they charge me zero annual fee, and they give me 1% back on my purchases THEY STILL MAKE MONEY ON ME.

The benefit; I benefit.

[earth mom]

142. You could have also saved MORE money by asking for the cash discount price

from the heating company. They have to pay 3% of your purchase when you charge it which is what-$300-to them? They may have split it with you and given you a $150 break.

Cash is the way to go IMO. These days, people have gone overboard letting corporate entities such as banks know too damn much about them and that's NOT good. We should all value our privacy and tell the greedy banking industry to shove it.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

145. Nope. Wouldn't Have Happened.

Might be easy for you to say it would've, but that isn't reality.

I got the quote, I gave them a return firm offer of what I'd pay for what they were doing. I told them I had the cash all ready to go for the project. They had no idea how I'd be paying, they just simply had to choose whether my counter-offer was acceptable or it wasn't. They accepted it. Would've made no difference if I paid with cash, credit or otherwise. Therefore, your premise is false.

Furthermore, if you are smart enough, firm enough and experienced enough to know how bargain or not get ripped off, it doesn't make a difference if you use cash or not.

Most people are manipulated into thinking they got some great deal because they were offered a discount by flashing cash. The reality in most cases is that the person is just convincing themselves they got some great deal because the salesman acted like he'd give them some big discount for them having cash that a person not paying with cash wouldn't have received. It is simple salesman manipulation in many cases. In many cases, someone with a credit card could've gotten the exact same price or even less, just simply based on their method of haggling. It's all about knowledge, experience and firmness: Not about cash or credit.

[earth mom]

183. Did you ask?

I have a friend with no insurance who needed a 10K surgery. Told the hospital she would be paying in cash. They gave her 3K off before she walked in the hospital for the surgery. That's NOT chump change. I've gotten discounts for cash buying furniture and other stuff. People, especially small businesses, like cash better than cards, try it sometime.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

184. You Just Talk To Hear Yourself Talk, No? Cause The Entire Premise Of My Post Obviously Either

went over your head or wasn't read at all.

Maybe you should read it again.

[earth mom]

205. You know, I was thinking the EXACT same thing about you...and that

you only want to hear your own opinions while you pontificate to everyone else how it's all to be done. Excuse me, but the very last thing I need or want is to be lectured by you or anyone. And not only that but I disagree strongly with EVERY SINGLE THING you've posted on this thread. Kissing corporate a$$ is NOT for me. But feel free, have at it.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

208. LMFAO! "Kissing Corporate Ass"... What A Hoot!

That is too funny!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Ellis Wyatt]

172. You are clearly afraid of plastic

You should do research on how it would benefit you. Make an informed decision, because honestly, I don't think you are informed about credit card economics.

[Solon]

187. No, I'm afraid of companies screwing me over...

I've had ENOUGH of that in my life, period, and the LAST thing I need is some company that I sign a contract with that can change the conditions of said contract at whim, with a whole 15 days notice. Not to mention that the contracts themselves require a team of lawyers to decipher, and even then, they will still scratch their heads.

ON EDIT: To clarify my position here, I do NOT believe in signing a blank check so they can take advantage of me. I've tried to read these credit card contracts, and let me tell you, the only thing I was able to glean from said contract is that its atrociously one sided, in their favor. If I'm going to sign a contract with anyone, they will need to have my PERMISSION to change ANY terms. When I sign a lease, the landlord is FORBIDDEN from changing the terms after the fact, same for a car loan, standard bank loan, etc. credit cards don't have that.

[Ellis Wyatt]

171. The argument is

pay in cash or pay on credit card.

if the guy's other option is pay in cash, then obviously he has the money to afford it.

Your argument is not applicable to the topic at hand.

[Agony]

119. The merchant had to jack up the price of everything in the store by 4%

to cover the fees he is charged by the clearing house and credit card company. We all lose... you paid 3% more for the convenience of using a credit card. There is no free ride. When the money changers were thrown out of the temple they just moved right back in, been there ever since.

[Leopolds Ghost]

124. UM... don't you understand how credit cards work.

Hint: That cash back comes from somewhere. The savings come from all the interest money you shovel into their pockets.

Not to mention the charges they go after the small shop owners for.

Amazing how people will lionize their credit card company, cable company, etc. for the same thing people lionized their "mobster next door" for doing back in the 1920s. Hey... they're good people! Entrepreneurs, and they provide security.

[mondo joe]

161. That's only true if you're paying interest.

If you have the cash to pay, you also have the cash to pay it off the charge in full with no interest.

[Ellis Wyatt]

174. Yes

The money comes from the merchants who pay 2 1/2% transaction fee.

And before you cry for the merchants that they are getting screwed out of 2 1/2 % of their purchase, if they thought they were getting screwed (meaning the 2 1/2% loss was greater than the business they'd lose by not accepting credit cards) then they wouldn't accept credit cards.

But that's an unrelated point.

The credit card industry is what it is. I can either pay cash for everything and not benefit; or I can charge stuff (and always pay my bill on time) and be given a free lunch to the tune of 1% of my purchases paid back to me.

[SoCalDem]

70. I use debit cards in "store", but when dealing for bigger purchases, I prefer CASH

in the negotiation phase..and only given AFTER I'm satisfied with the service..

example.

I was shopping for bedroom carpet, so I asked for the best deal they carpet place had..he wrote dwon the figures and I pulled out the hundred dollar bills and told him "I have this much to work with..including installation and pad.."..

They installed it the next day, with upgraded pad for $150. less than his original quote..and that was with a 'within a week delivery"..

same for car shopping.. SHOW THEM THE MONEY..they will make you a good deal :)

For the day to day stuff, I always use my debit card.. I'm lazy :)

[mondo joe]

29. I use my debit card for almost every purchase. nt

[Ellis Wyatt]

30. You are wasting money if you pay in cash

Your $230 purchase would not have taken any longer with a credit card. You walk in, zip zip zip, they take the credit off your card. The end.

I charge EVERYTHING on a credit card, no matter how small, whenever possible. With one caveat. I am 31, and have never paid one single cent of interest on a credit card bill. No matter what I spend, I pay it off immediately that month. If someone isn't confident in their ability to curb their spending to be inline with their ability to pay it immediately, then sure, pay cash. Be safe, don't pay 18% interest.

But, with no annual fee, you can get a credit card that will pay you 1% cash back (minimum and up to 3 1/2%) on your purchases.

So that $230 purchase, would have cost me between $225 and $227.
In addition, while you outlay your cash at the point of purchase, I can keep my cash in the bank for an extra month and gain interest. Now one month of interest on $230 may be $.50, so just on this purchase we may only be talking about $3 savings, which doesn't seem like a big deal.

But, if I save 1 1/2 - 2% on every purchase I make using my credit card, and I charge, say $10k a year, for 30 years, that's up to $6,000 I'd have that you wouldn't.

[BlueJazz]

35. Yeah...Well..You do it the smart way. It seems like 90 percent of...

...the Population could use a few pointers from You...

[RaleighNCDUer]

45. Are you, like most Ameicans, 1 major illness away from bankruptcy?

Trust me, get a few more years behind you and you will see the credit card industry to be the vampires they are. Good luck can only carry you so far, and when that luck fails and you have those cards in your pocket you will use them the way they want you to.

Better to get rid of them now, while you still can.

[Ellis Wyatt]

49. That has NOTHING to do with anything.

I'm buying something. I can either pay for it in cash or pay for it on credit card. It's foolish to pay for it with cash.

I'm not talking about spending more than you can afford, which I even mentioned in my post.

Your little "chicken little" diatribe against the credit card companies is completely superflouous. Neither I, nor "most" (meaning over 150 million) americans are one major illness away from bankruptcy.

[RaleighNCDUer]

63. Actually, most are that close to the edge, but with their jobs and

insurance they fool themselves into thinking they are not. If you are not, more power to you, but you would be the rarity. Even if you have insurance, all it takes to become uninsured is to have some kind of on-going, expensive, debilitating illness - after the first year they'll be looking for any excuse to cut you off. They are in business to make money, not pay money.

The same applies to the credit industry. It is designed to separate the haves from the have nots, and separate the have nots from their money. Those who can easily afford credit don't need it, and they get the breaks because they can pay it off on a monthly basis. And for every one who can do that there are a hundred who are making minimum payments at 18%, month after month. Many, if not most, of them intended to do as you say - pay off every month, make that 1 1/2%, save money by spending money - but then suddenly the car is totaled and they need to make new, high car payments they didn't expect, or grampa needs new medications that run up to $8,000/year, or junior get mobilized and his start up business collapses while he's manning a machine gun in Iraq. Shit happens. And so you turn to the card, just to tide you over the rough patch.

Despite the claims of the moralists, most people don't get into debt by out of control spending. Most bankruptcies (and there is a clear correlation between bankruptcies and easy credit) are caused by illness or divorce - people turning to credit to manage what they think will be a temporary situation. Do as you like, but I still say, at the first sign of trouble, burn the damn things.

[Ellis Wyatt]

164. Please

Cite a source for any of these BS statistics.

The number of those who pay 100% of their bill is 100x smaller than those who only pay the minimum? BS. Prove it. 150 million are that close to bankruptcy? Prove it. Making up statistics does not help our cause any.

Insurance companies are in business to make money, but for the nearly 200 million people who are insured through work, the insurance company doesn't insure the worker individually. They insure the group as a whole.

AND FOR THE THIRD TIME, I am saying don't charge something that you can't pay for right then. Period. AGAIN FOR THE FOURTH TIME don't charge anything that you can't pay for right then. So these disabilitating injuries are highly unlikely, as you're talking about a small % of the population who will have these injuries and a small window of time from when they charge something (where they could pay for it) to when their bill comes due.

I'm not saying people living paycheck to paycheck should charge everything on their credit card. I've already said so four times in every post I've made on the subject, so I don't know how to make it more clear to you.

Continue to be afraid of credit cards. Your perrogative. But the benefit outweighs the risks.

[mentalsolstice]

31. Cash for Starbux, debit card for everything else

My mom is horrified by debit cards and my use of them. She goes to the bank several times per week to cash a check (she won't even use the atm), stands there in line writing out her checks and balances her register as she goes. When I explained to her how easy a debit card is, she said there's no record...duh, you've got the paper receipt, you can use a check register, just the same as with checks, and you've got the online record. She uses credit cards some, and then she spends several hours one night a month paying bills and balancing her checkbook.

I got a box of checks four years ago, and I'm still using the checks out of it when I need to.

And please don't flame about *$, I live in a low-income area and they're the only coffee shop that would dare take a risk on us. Nearest indie coffee shop is 20+ minutes away.

[Retired AF Dem]

33. I almost never pay with cash

I usually use my debit card.

[nonconformist]

37. I use my debit card 95% of the time

It has a Visa logo and gets scanned through just like a credit card. I suspect much of what you are seeing (ie: buying milk on a card) are people using their debit cards.

Debit cards are really a wonderful invention.

[Ms. Clio]

39. Mine is called a "check card" because it's precisely like writing a check

I think that's what most of the people I see are doing, too.

[k_jerome]

38. hookers. nt.

[rocktivity]

40. I was SHOCKED the first time I saw someone buy groceries with a credit card

It seemed so terribly--immorial Probably because food is something you're constantly replacing. Well, I still don't do it. I use my debit card, but that's the next best thing to cash because when the money's gone, it's gone...or something...

:crazy:
rocknation

[Catherine Vincent]

42. A lot of stores put limits on credit card purchases. n/t

[Ellis Wyatt]

47. never heard of that ever

I'd like to hear an example.

Unless you mean "minimum" rather than "limit"

[Catherine Vincent]

165. I'm sorry, that's what I meant..."minimum".

[irislake]

44. Even in my nearest village

of only 1500 folk in a backwater of Southern Ontario most of us use our debit cards. That way I keep track of what I spend on every little thing -- groceries, gas, and so on. It's all there laid out on my bank statements. I haven't had a credit card for about ten years. At first the local stores didn't have interac but after the cottagers arrived in the summer that was it. You only need cash in donut shops and -- well that's about it. I would guess less than half of the people you notice not using cash are using credit cards. You can ask for cash back too an avoid having to go to a bank machine.

[bbernardini]

50. Sure! I just bought beer with cash tonight.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go drink until I sleep all night. :)

[NNN0LHI]

54. I get back $300.00 from my credit card company every year for using it

Tax free too. I pay my bill on-line when it comes in full so I never pay interest and I never have to write any checks. I don't even get a bill in the mail.

I have returned things to the store and have never once been given a cash refund without having to show some kind of ID and had to sign something.

Don

[hvn_nbr_2]

61. If I may ask...

Which credit card company? My cash-back card just switched to giving "points" that supposedly can be redeemed somehow for something. I used to get offers for cash-back cards all the time. Wouldn't you know, as soon as I decided to apply for one of them, those offers stopped coming.

[NNN0LHI]

64. Citi Dividend card n/t

[hvn_nbr_2]

65. Thanks.

Citibank is where most of those offers came from that I used to get. Maybe I'll just stop by a branch and ask if they still have any of that kind available.

[karlrschneider]

55. I rarely carry more than 20 to 40 bucks in cash. For personal biz I use a debit card

but have to have a credit card to rent cars, stuff like that. Always pay those immediately.

[SmokingJacket]

57. I work in a bookstore, and I'd guess about 3/4 of our

transactions are with a card, either credit or debit. We get a few checks, sometimes a lot of cash, often just a little.

Cards are convenient!

[hfojvt]

58. I get cash back though

I am up to $75 for paying for things I would buy anyway like groceries and the phone bill.

But I did just pay for my water bill with cash. Next time though, I might mail a check. Walking on the ice was not worth the 50 cents I saved. However, I shoulda paid it Tuesday when the weather was nice. Plus I had to go buy ice melt too (and I paid cash). I have made it a point to use cash for local businesses that are not chains, because using a credit card sends a certain amount of money, 3-5%, out of town and cuts into the businesses' profits.

[earth mom]

59. We use cash for everything...only use debit cards with the Visa logo

for online purchases...or we use Paypal. It is SO nice not to have the credit card debt and to have stuff completely paid for-no worries. We only buy what we can afford this way too. Also love not paying any interest/fees to the evil banking industry! O8)

[joe_sixpack]

60. I'm only using credit cards

until they perfect that chip they implant in your skin, or at least a barcode tattoo on my hand.

[roamer65]

77. LOL...The fundies will scream 666...mark of the beast.

when they implant chips or tattoo.:crazy:

[Triana]

62. Yep - I use cash and (*gasp!*) CHECKS!

I do NOT HAVE a debit card. And my credit card only gets used for online crap and (I make use of VAN's though).

I try to NEVER keep a balance on the damned thing, too.

[Greyhound]

66. Once they have weaned the sheep away from cash, it frees the Fed

to create a dual exchange currency, one domestic which can be devalued as much as they want without hurting the value of the international version which all trade will be conducted. Once accomplished this will be the final step to abandoning the U.S. economy without collapsing the world economy.

The other benefit is with no cash, it becomes possible to completely control and track evey person in the country.

I know it sounds paranoid, but it has been a highly desired objective for 30 years or more.

[onethatcares]

84. whyelse would they put those metal strips in each

10,20,50,100? Do a bit of research on that one and you'll find out you'll never get out of the country with more than 1000.00 Amerian in your pocket.

[pitohui]

105. ever heard of the rio grande river?

there are points where you can just wade across, you know, if you don't know how to get out of the country with more than $1K in your pocket, something even i do routinely, then you are just not trying

[earth mom]

87. Glad you posted this...

I thought about that part after I made my post.

The powers that be would love to get rid of currency, because then they can control and keep tabs on every damn thing we all do. Forget shopping garage sales and flea markets too. 1984 here we come! Beware ya'll! :(

[austinboy]

67. Basically use debit or credit cards.

Basically all my transactions are with my debit card. Credit cards are used only for big ticket items or trips. Besides, with online banking, all my transactions are put into a nice and neat budget format; upon which I then can see what I'm actually spending my money on. Reconciling is so much easier that way. :)

[Megahurtz]

68. I always use cash,

and what's funny is that people look at me weird if I do.
I kinda like not patronizing those evil Corporate Credit Card Companies!}(

[Greyhound]

81. I dropped off three grand at the lawyers office in cash and the receptionist didn't know

what to do with it, just stood there for almost a minute with a blank look on her face. I took the hint and said, "you might want to put that in the safe." Then I had to remind her that I needed a receipt.

[Megahurtz]

191. Isn't it funny that people

actually get nervous when they see money now instead of a card.
I wouldn't be surprized if a Bank Clerk would make "suspicious transaction" report
if a person brought in not even that sizable of an amount of cash to deposit in their Bank Account lol!

I really don't like the idea that Credit Cards have almost become a requirement.
Gotta support those Corporations!:sarcasm:

[Initech]

69. I get an insane amount of use out of my ATM card.

But I try to carry a decent amount of cash on me so I don't use my credit card for something stupid like a $3.00 magazine.

[Mr_Spock]

73. No

Should I?

Actually I buy all my convenience store items with cash, but sometimes I charge my lunch at the counter though.

[bobbolink]

74. Please define your terms.

WHat's "Cash"?

:hi:

[kineneb]

75. cash or debit cards only

no credit cards here, not after Ch. 7, and living near poverty level. Besides, as a member of the Underground Economy, cash is my friend. Otherwise, give me a postal money order or personal check, in that order. None of that money goes into our checking account. No record, didn't happen.

Out here in the country, cash is still king. There are still a few places that do not take any form of plastic. And one is unlikely to be mugged, except by deer or turkeys (the kind that fly).

[dansolo]

78. I always use a credit card for gas and groceries

I have one card that I use exclusively for necessary purchases, with the intention of always paying it off every month. That way I get a combined summary of my purchases, and I even get a rebate credited on every month from the previous month's purchases. There is nothing wrong with using credit cards for these types of purchases. The trick is to avoid using a credit card that already has a balance.

[Ariana Celeste]

79. If anyone's interested- PBS Frontline "Secret History of the Credit Card"

"Secret History of the Credit Card" is available to watch online.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/credit/view/


edit for spelling

[praeclarus]

101. i just watched that the other day...

... the credit card industry refers to people who
pay their balance each month as "deadbeats". ha ha!

They hate you if you pay your bill which I always
do.

BTW, I just noticed the interest rate on my card
is 22.75% That would probably bring a tear of joy
to the eye of a loan shark.

[Trillo]

149. How about a summary for those of us who

don't use our computers to watch online videos?

[Ariana Celeste]

178. Here, read this...

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/credit/more/

:hi:

[sakabatou]

83. I either use debit or cash

[pooja]

86. I use my debit card everywhere... Stolen/ lost money is lost forever,

a debit card is stopped, refunded if anything stolen, and completely replaceable. I hate to admit I have chained myself to the devil... but really it is much easier for me... also, I keep my checking account active on excel... since I've done it this way for the past 1yr... I am able to keep up with the spending in our home and where I can cut back when perusing the month's activities. I guess my science degree means a little... I can set up an easy excel check book function... its really great.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

88. I Use My Credit Card For Everything. I Also Get Refunds Instantaneously. I Also Have Some Level Of

protection that you can't get with cash or checks.

I use it whenever I can because then I can rack up points. Those points turn into more stuff.

So all in all, I can't see any reason not to use a credit card as long as you're responsible enough to pay it off in full each month.

[RB TexLa]

90. I can't remember the last time I used cash, or wanted to use the stuff

It's ridiculous with the technology we have today that we still waste money producing it.

[ejbrush]

91. Cash?

You know that guy, that guy who stands in the front of the grocery line with a basket of victuals and proceeds to write out an honest-to-kimberly-clark paper check? Then reads the receipt before moving on?
You know that guy, that guy who pays for his tank of diesel fuel and cup of recycled coffe grounds with cash and counts out the exact change for the transaction.
Yeah, thats me. Maybe I'll look back at the line sometimes, and see you impatient people behind me. And I smile then. I'm not in any hurry.
Sometimes, being an ass is it's own reward.

[Orangepeel]

92. I use the card for everything

I like having a record of my spending handy, it is easier to take things back, if you are ripped off, you can challenge the payment, and I get airline miles.

[pitohui]

106. and one day in court...

maybe in divorce court, may be in another lawsuit, there will be a record read out of all your wine and liquor store purchases

it will sound terrible and the judge/jury will despise you

if you value your privacy, use cash

[Orangepeel]

133. LOL! if somebody wants to make me look bad in court, it won't be because I bought wine

if I've learned one lesson from today's political climate, it's that if somebody really sets out to destroy another's reputation they're going to be able to do it.

If I were buying something I thought was shameful to buy, I'd use cash (although I can't imagine what it would be). But in general, I'd rather just live my life and, if necessary, fight for my freedom to buy stuff I want, than worry about trying to disguise it.

[SoCalDem]

143. OH MY GOODNESS,, Orangepeel..I haven't "seen" you in ages

How the hell are ya :) :loveya:

[pitohui]

197. obviously not doing anything fun

since nothing this person buys could ever be construed as sinful or wasteful or just plain self indulgent

you know what, i am sick of people who want to sell my right to privacy because they don't have a life

if you have nothing to hide -- in other words, if you have no internal life that is worth protecting -- i do pity you but i don't think you should be bragging about it

it's rather pathetic honestly

[Orangepeel]

203. Hi, SoCal!

Great to hear from you! I've always been a slow poster, but I've been around (when I'm not busy buying things with my credit card :D).

:hug:

[eppur_se_muova]

93. Can't rent a car, or a hotel room in many places, EXCEPT with a charge card. nt

[Trillo]

150. Really?

It used to be that getting a hotel room was a fairly "anonymous" event, with, you know, all the couples and such that might have needed, wink wink, privacy for some reason or another.

I'm actually asking a serious question. Has anonymity in hotel room renting been eliminated by these fascists?

You can probably tell I haven't rented a hotel room in years, that why the curiosity about the facts.

[eppur_se_muova]

179. Varies from place to place, probably. Took me by surprise when I was traveling...

for the purpose of job interviews. It was charge card or nothing. Paying in advance wouldn't stop people from running up phone bills, I guess.

[bluedogyellowdog]

94. I mostly use Visa and Master Card, but...

that Visa ad that has been running lately has had the opposite of its intended effect, and made me want to use cash more.

The ad shows everybody as cogs in a machine, mindless consumers all, everyone paying with credit cards. Somebody pays with cash and the machine grinds to a halt.

Makes me want to pay with cash more often :)

What in the world was Visa's marketing dept thinking when they designed that ad??

[Marie26]

96. I use a debit card for everything

It's easier - that's very different from using a credit card for small purchases (which I agree is stupid).

[Little Wing]

97. In my town it's mainly cash-only

and it drives me nuts.

[Leftist78]

98. It's a little insane

I almost always use cash in my day to day life, and often the cashier (maybe we should change the job title to debitier) looks at me as if I'm wearing animal skins and carrying a club. Sign of the times I guess. :shrug:

[mattfromnossa]

99. I prefer to use my debit.

[cynatnite]

100. We were cash only for years until we found out how much it hurts our credit...

We couldn't get a car or buy a house without something on our credit report. It showed we had no credit. So we got one credit card, got a couple of small loans that we paid off and was able to buy a house.

I would think just keeping your bills paid would be enough, but it's not.

[Art_from_Ark]

102. Here in high-tech Japan, it's still pretty much cash-based

and I like it that way.

You can take the Japanese equivalent of a $100 bill into a 7-11 and use it to buy a sandwich and a coke, and no one complains. You can pay for your plane ticket or car in cash, and no one thinks you're a drug dealer or terrorist. There are a few general-use debit cards (usually in the form of ATM cards), and several types of specialized debit cards like telephone cards, gas station cards and railway/subway cards (but no more turnpike cards). You can use credit cards in lots of places, but there is often a minimum purchase, and sometimes even a surcharge. Utility and fixed-term payments are usually made by automatic bank transfer. There is no checking system here to speak of.

[pitohui]

108. yes i liked that about japan

people are honest and you are not classed as either a future robbery victim or a drug dealer because you carry cash, you are just a sensible person cutting the middle man and the extra fee out of the transaction

in the end credit costs money and a lot of it, the person bragging about all of their cashbacks is not bragging so much about all of the extra fees they've paid over the years for over limit or past due charges

i travel, i don't have time to be futzing with credit cards that give you 20 days to pay, it ties you to an address that you have to check every 20 days (less really), for a brief giddy period the internet had solved it but now the wireless and hotel internets are being scanned by the bad guys if you log into financial sites so if you do that you're going to get robbed and of way more than any cash a mugger would take out of your pocket...one keystroke logger can ruin your entire life

[Art_from_Ark]

120. There's no bank interest, so you don't get any "float" with a CC

And if you do use a credit card in Japan, they'll ask you up front if you want to pay for the purchase all at once, or pay for it in installments. And the CC company automatically deducts the monthly bill from your bank account, so there's less worry about late payments.

[jannyk]

107. I never pay cash but

I'm using a debit card not a credit card. It looks like a Mastercard credit card but it ain't.

[Ms. Clio]

121. exactly, I think a lot of people are ASSuming these are credit cards

For example, I use my check card with a Visa logo to pay for something, but it's not a credit card at all. At a store, I can key it as "credit" rather than debit so I don't have to key in my pin. It's still deducted from my checking account just like a paper check and the money is just as gone as if the greenbacks came directly from my pocket.

[last_texas_dem]

110. Not often, it seems...

When I worked as a grocery store cashier, the funniest I ever had was someone pay for a 25-cent pack of gum with a debit card. And they weren't even doing it to get "cash back", which used to happen occasionally. They just came all the way into the grocery store for one pack of gum and put it on the debit card.

I use cash when I have it on me, but I also write a lot of checks. Which are the biggest hassle for cashiers to deal with, so I should have learned my lesson and changed my behavior due to my former experience. But I think writing checks is fun; it for some reason has always made me feel more important than I really am!

[upi402]

112. cup of coffee at the stand...CREDIT CARD! unreal

i don't get it

[ecstatic]

116. LOL... I do 1 and 2 dollar transactions with my check card!

When I'm lucky enough to have change and dollar bills in my purse, I have to keep them handy for parking meters and vending machines.

[upi402]

118. ah! I'm curious, is it a cash flow thing?

Is it to get to the next paycheck?

Most often, I see that happen through the window of a new SUV. So I'm expecting it's a habit/lifestyle thing generally.

[Ms. Clio]

123. a check card is not a credit card

it's just a paperless way of writing a check.

[Ellis Wyatt]

176. because

you get free money back/rewards for everything you charge.

No reason NOT to charge on a card if you can ensure you pay everything that month and won't have to pay interest.

[upi402]

195. except for everyone behind the card user, ...waiting

it takes longer every single time, no matter what.

i must be doing something wrong, i just don't have any time to waste when i'm out pushing hard. i can't imagine that lifestyle, myself. i'm envious.

[mondo joe]

162. I've used my debit card to pay for coffee - though in general if I have the

cash on hand for a purchase under $5 I'd use that first.

[ecstatic]

113. paying with cash is slow, old school, and dangerous!

If someone robs me, the most s/he will get is a few credit and check cards that will be canceled immediately (assuming I'm allowed to live). Plus, most banks offer a cash back bonus of 10 to 15 cents with each use! It also helps to deflect bums as well (sorry, no cash on me). (joking!)

[Solon]

117. And Debit/Credit cards are simply a hassle...

Look at my post number 111.

Also, what bank gives you 10 cents for each use of a Debit card, I never heard of it. I have already experienced bank account freeze, for no apparently reason, which is why I prefer cash, period.

[pitohui]

198. this is quite simply wrong

the old time robber who took your cash got your cash

nowadays we have the carjacker, reason, he has to get your card and get you to go to the ATM and be sure the PIN you gave him is the real one

we just had a notorious case today, of such a one, sentenced to life in prison, he took the wife to the ATM, got all their money, then at gunpoint took her home and killed her husband before her eyes

jesus, no thanks, i'll stick with cash

i hear it all the time, people being carjacked because they can no longer take just a wallet, they got to get a card AND a working number

you people are going down a deathly path with your fantasy that the card is safer, you make it more dangerous for all of us really

when your thumbprint is needed for all transactions, thieves will cut off our thumbs -- or kidnap us and carry us along to have access to our thumbs

the card is just a clunky interim technology that exposes us to the same dangers

cash is clean, the guy waves the gun, you throw the cash at him, you run

the cards have really made it much more hazardous

[shanti]

122. much more convenient with cards

my question is: WHY DO PEOPLE PAY WITH CHECKS ANYMORE???? it drives me nuts.

i have a friend who uses cash only. he even goes to the bank to get his supply of "fresh crispies", what he calls new $20 bills. he likes to flash the cash.

[Trillo]

153. I still use checks some of the time,

though I absolutely detest the forced nature of showing ID at places, especially where they know me well and have seen me many times before.

I suspect the reason is so the fascists can track all our transactions, so the rule "they" appear to use is to not trust the checker's knowledge of whether the check writer or customer is who the checker claims. The checker probably couldn't remember anyway years later if something went to court, so that's my presumption.

I don't know enough about the laws, but I'm definitely old school, used to be organic with respect to growing plants and would joke with nursury people that they had "lost all the old ways" in the move to synthetic chemicals exclusively. As I understand it, when a merchant takes your check to his/her bank, then that check was transferred to the the customers bank, the transaction was private, subject to a warrant I'd guess.

But now, all these newfangled computers and databases and networks and such, you know "they" now every keystroke, dontcha?

Whatever happened to the idea that we have a right to have our business kept private so long as we're not doing anything nefarious or terroristic, i.e., just going about our mundane lives waiting until the clock ticks of that final moment when all the lies, tyranny, and deceit will no longer have any power or influence, the second when life, and the pursuit of fear, eventually ends for each of us?

[InvisibleTouch]

132. Honestly? I put everything on a card.

I don't care if it's a $1 item. Just a habit I got into, when juggling finances.

I also do the dreaded "get a cash advance from one card to pay the other." Now that's juggling. :)

[fujiyama]

134. I like debit cards

I hate cash, because I have a harder time tracking it. With a debit (and credit card for that matter), I can track my purchases online, by date and time.

As long as ya pay off the damn things, they're OK. But the interest rates are outrageous, and I've learned the hard way that keeping a running balance is really fucking stupid.

[Solon]

136. I've found my debit card to be useless for large purchases...

actually, it was one purchase, had the money, just couldn't access it because of "theft prevention", if I wanted that, they should have asked me, but they didn't. I also hate the "freeze" the banks around here use when you get a paycheck, uhm, hello, its MY FUCKING MONEY, GIVE IT BACK DAMMIT! I hate banks, and I view credit cards as nothing more than a scam anyways.

[Hosnon]

146. Unless you are really good at keeping change and cashing it in, debit cards save you money. nt

[Trillo]

148. Never Kiss and Tell

Recently a local retailer got a new check clearing service. It's the kind that goes through a third party, and they hand your cancelled check right back to you, so it turns a check into an immediate electronic transaction (I guess).
Since this was a new machine they were using, I made the mistake of asking a few questions.

"Is the transaction private, just between my bank and your bank?"
"Yes, sir, completely private."
"Good. What other company does it go through?"
"SBCGlobal."
I paused momentary, confused. "I see, doesn't that mean the transaction isn't private?"
"No, sir, your privacy is fully protected."
"Did you know that SBCGlobal was bought by AT&T?" I asked, my voice louder as unconscious anger welled up. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. The clerk's eyes opened wider, but he remained silent.
"Did you know that AT&T is the company implicated in warrantless wiretapping, and that this surveillance is done without the oversight of the court system?" The clerk continued staring at me, backing up several feet, bumping into the wall behind him. His nostrils flared as he realized I realized he'd been lying to me.
"I'm just saying" holding my hands up, palms in his direction, so he could see they were empty and that I wasn't threatening him, "that it's stupid to believe this is a private transaction."

I realized, sadly, that this clerk was likely told to say that to customers like me. Either told by his employer that it was his job to lie, or had been lied to himself by his employer and I had just connected the dots in his mind, and that he had been lied to, or perhaps this was the first time it occurred to him that the privacy contract was a sham. It was a dangerous moment. He might have had a gun behind the counter.

I haven't yet started paying with cash for everything. I feel like if I need to start carrying cash with me everywhere, I need to be armed, and I don't really like that thought, it attracts cops, and concealed carry with a permit (registration with the cops) is problematical, and concealed carry without a permit is a huge problem if its discovered after needing to be used in self-defense.

Perhaps what is happening is inevitable. Whatever is happening is really sad. No honesty. No integrity. No truth in meaning behind the words used in the daily grind of life.

Hmm... But the money always flows their way. Maybe that's it. It's all about the money.

[RebelOne]

154. I never use cash. I pay for everything with my debit card.

In fact, I am surprised when I do see people paying with cash. I have exactly 3 pennies in my wallet.

[NNN0LHI]

156. Has anyone ever been given back change for a ten after giving a twenty?

Its happened to me before. More than once. Not sure how many times that has happened that I didn't catch it?

That is another reason I use a card.

Don

[MadHound]

157. I'm pretty much on a cash only basis.

I have no credit cards, my bank sent me a combined ATM/debit card, which I have used exactly once, and I only write checks for either large ticket items or for the monthly bills. Call me a luddite, but my risk of ID theft is a lot less, I don't have to worry about my purchases being noted and tracked, I don't feed the CC beast, and frankly cash is quicker than a card, despite what the TV shows.

My credit rating is excellent, I have never suffered any problems due to the lack of plastic, and it is one huge weight that I don't have to carry.

[The2ndWheel]

166. Luddite!

Not always a bad thing.

Next they'll track the actual product, then it won't matter if you only use cash or not.

[MadHound]

180. LOL, I'm ready for that also

Already have considered how to deal with RFID chips etc. I have this strange obcession with living my life free of government and corporate scrutiny, at least as much as possible.

[Freddie Stubbs]

158. Some cards give cash back on purchases

My father uses his card whenever he can, and gets a nice check every year. He never pays interest because he always pays off the balance.

[LostinVA]

159. I use my debit card for almost everything

I carry a small amount of cash on me. I guarantee must people you see ARE paying "cash" for what they buy -- via their debit card, which is imprinted with either ab Visa or MC logo.

[Orsino]

163. AmEx reward points, pal.

I use the AmEx for everything, if possible, and rarely touch the debit card.

[bleedingheart]

167. I use my debit card (takes money from my bank account)...

I also use cash.

[mtnsnake]

169. The government spies on you through your credit card

That's what my sister told me anyway.

[mondo joe]

175. However you pay, could you just be fucking ready at the point of purchase?

You don't need to wait until AFTER your groceries have all been bagged to get out your checkbook and start writing it out.

You don't need to wait until AFTER your order is handed to you to get your debit or credit card out.

And you DON'T NEED TO WAIT to get your total to get your purse out annd start fishing for that one penny in cash you absolutely must spend!

[newportdadde]

182. I use Credit on as much as possible - 1% cash back on everything, 5% on gas, pharmacy.

It does add up especially if you leverage it to pay almost all of your bills, I have cable on it etc.

Also its a very clean easy to read one stop bill for me to manage expenses... and no I hate debit card transaction all over my bank statment so I don't use them.

[LSK]

185. I still use cash

I just got my 1st debit card a couple of weeks ago and still havnt activated it yet.

[hamletsophelia]

188. safety, safety

do you want to get mugged, lose your hard earned money???

[pitohui]

199. do you want to get jacked, lose your life?

because with the card, they jack you and take you along to the ATM, not a pleasant thing to be kidnapped by psycho retard drug addicts

as i said above, they finally sentenced such a one today in new orleans who carjacked a woman, took her to the ATM to get her money, then went home and killed her husband

i would submit that it would be better far merely to be robbed of my cash

with cash so rare these days the nuts have turned to the carjackings because you need card plus person to be sure they are inserting the correct PIN

that is not an improvement and it is not safer and it is delusional to think otherwise

[ElsewheresDaughter]

189. tis' all i ever use...no credit cardsa nor checks...no debit, no ezpass

NEVER...and it isn't because i couldn't have them....i keep one for emergency. i choose not to

[Lasthorseman]

192. Ahem

Please look up HR 3997
Like the patriot act
Like the real id act and Sarbanes Oxley, the no child left unrecruited act and all the other Satanic legislation of the 109th
Under this one you can't freeze you own credit line.
Cut them cards up right now and tell the bank why.
Put limits on the existing single card that you do keep.
The economic melt down commenceth!

[KoKo]

193. My nephew over TG paid for two Iced Teas and a pack of cookies with Plastic

in a Museum Snack Bar over Thankgsgiving.

I was horrified as I took a $5:00 bill out of my pocket when he pulled out the plastic.

:eyes: Don't know what that says about our society....but somehow it doesn't seem a good thing.

[Midlodemocrat]

194. I use my AMEX for everything. My Visa debit for everywhere that

AMEX isn't welcome. The points have been fantastic. We've been to Maui, the Bahamas, on a cruise, Puerto Rico, Bermuda and we're going to Mexico in February.

The only checks I write are to the cleaning lady and the woman who teaches piano to my little one.

Everything is plastic. Makes bookkeeping extremely simple.

[lynne]

201. I use my debit card - Safer than cash & faster than a check -

- and my office won't even accept cash payments from our clients because we'd have to keep change if we did, the bookkeeping expense involved, and the safety factor in going to the bank on a daily basis. Check, credit or debit card or money order is all we'll take.

[mnhtnbb]

207. Strictly debit card at the grocery store. Faster than check.

[Dunedain]

212. Wait till

we go to a system where you pay with your phone.

[riskgamble]

213. I have a personality test for you.

http://personality.selfip.com

This is a free personality test.
You can check out your personality types based on the following three personality theories.

1. Machiavellianism.
2. Authoritarian personality.
3. Risk Orientation.

Feel free to invite your friends to this test.
Thanks.