How many folks still use cash?

[billt460]

And do ya buy your pancake mix with cash too ??? I use cash a whole lot like you too…. Makes you AWARE of just how much one is REALLY spending in that moment… That’s one reason why the push for CBDC is going to roll forward… People are typically oblivious to how much they are actually spending swiping a card in that moment.

This is very true. When you have to reach into your pocket and pull out, count, and hand over folding money for your purchases, it makes you very aware of what things are actually costing you.

People who are driving all over town, swiping those plastic cards every 15 minutes all day long don't have a clue. $5 or $1,500, it's all the same to them.

And I contend it's a major contributing factor why almost half of this country doesn't have $500.00 in the bank for an emergency. That really shows just how financially weak this nation is...... Along with the fact it doesn't even bother them.

 

[alarmguy]

This is very true. When you have to reach into your pocket and pull out, count, and hand over folding money for your purchases, it makes you very aware of what things are actually costing you.

People who are driving all over town, swiping those plastic cards every 15 minutes all day long don't have a clue. $5 or $1,500, it's all the same to them.

And I contend it's a major contributing factor why almost half of this country doesn't have $500.00 in the bank for an emergency. That really shows just how financially weak this nation is...... Along with the fact it doesn't even bother them.

This is very true for many people.
If you borrow money to buy things that you can’t pay for when the credit card bill comes in, you have a problem. Our nation is addicted to debt.
No different in some respects than a rodent controlled by its master, banks offering to lend you money at a cost.

It’s not just credit cards either, look at all the things people borrow money to buy, too immature to say their own money, they borrow from someone else then, in many cases blame the party that lends it to them.

If your one that can pay that bill in full every month then you have an investment by earring money until that bill is due. Using the system to make money on purchases that you can afford to pay for.

If you cant be mature enough to do this then stay away. Uncontrolled borrowing is like giving a rodent all the food it can eat until it can not walk with its own legs.

https://www.usdebtclock.org

 

[nickaluch]

Zero cash in my pocket always use credit card

 

[supton]

Only use dash at garage sales and second hand sales like that. Almost never in a store that take CC. Too easy to use, and no more dealing with change.

 

[mattd]

All the work I do on the side is cash. Otherwise I don’t use it that often.

 

[Astro14]

I use cash all the time. Like @billt460 said, when I pull out my wallet and count out the bills, I’m very aware of my spending.

Barber and restaurants are two places where I’m 100% cash.

I’ve had my credit card compromised many, many times. Mostly after using it in restaurants- where they walk away with it and come back. Particularly in foreign countries.

Point of Sale machines minimize that now, but cash still works and cannot be compromised. My wallet is RFID blocking, by the way.

Apple Pay prevents the merchant from seeing my actual card number. One more layer of security. Use it often.

Overseas - cash or Apple Pay.

Here - cash, Apple Pay, or a credit card if, and only if, I see the machine. I don’t let people take my card and return with it.

There is a $100 bill folded up and tucked in my wallet for emergencies. A few more up front for spending.

Tow truck drivers in rural places don’t often take credit cards. Having been in need of their services once, I’ll never be without a significant amount of cash again.

 

[billt460]

https://www.usdebtclock.org

Looking at that debt clock is enough to scare the living hell out of anyone. If it doesn't, it should. It's almost incomprehensible.

 

[hrv]

Looking at that debt clock is enough to scare the living hell out of anyone. If it doesn't, it should. It's almost incomprehensible.

But you dont get it... The gov says we can spend our way out of debt...Ya right try that and see how that works out for you...or reach your credit limit and ask for an increase year after year...

 

[billt460]

But you dont get it... The gov says we can spend our way out of debt...Ya right try that and see how that works out for you...or reach your credit limit and ask for an increase year after year...

But the woke progressives say, "government debt isn't at all like family debt". Other than the zeros, show be the difference. (Obviously this was from a few years ago, when the debt was less than half of what it is today).

 

[Cujet]

Personally, I still do. Hearing lot lately about debit cards being hacked. I can go to my financial institution and talk to human and get cash. No issues.

I drive long trips. Cash is wonderful for saving money at the pump in some locations. I can easily spent $100 less on fuel, on some of my longer trips. Although most times I save 10c per gal, sometimes it is as much as 20c.

 

[billt460]

I drive long trips. Cash is wonderful for saving money at the pump in some locations. I can easily spent $100 less on fuel, on some of my longer trips. Although most times I save 10c per gal, sometimes it is as much as 20c.

This is a good point. Well over half the gas stations here in town offer a LOWER cash price. Credit is always higher. Yet I see people jamming their cards in left and right.

It amazes me that people simply don't care, and pony up the additional charge, for what amounts to basically nothing. Even for people who burn just a tank a week, this adds up. And it's easy when you do end up using a debit card, to get extra cash in addition to paying for your purchase. Just punch in the amount you want.

It's not as if you have to waste gas driving to get it. It's never been easier to separate people from their money, as it is today.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

I see no reason to at stores when CC's give you rewards. Personal transactions, like a yard sale, I use cash.

 

[99Saturn]

This is a good point. Well over half the gas stations here in town offer a LOWER cash price. Credit is always higher. Yet I see people jamming their cards in left and right.

It amazes me that people simply don't care, and pony up the additional charge, for what amounts to basically nothing. Even for people who burn just a tank a week, this adds up. And it's easy when you do end up using a debit card, to get extra cash in addition to paying for your purchase. Just punch in the amount you want.

It's not as if you have to waste gas driving to get it. It's never been easier to separate people from their money, as it is today.

I used to pay cash until I got a card or two that pay 4% - 5% cash back on gas. I never understand when people are paying cash for a $.10 spread when it's +$3 and there are cards out there that can earn 4% or 5%. At >a 5% discount for cash I get it.

 

[99Saturn]

To each their own I guess. Money matters to me, getting 2 to 5% back every month for EVERYTHING I purchase in life is very significant.
I can take it in cash, I can let it accumulate. I mean, if you dont care about money that's ok too. But I wouldnt call into question people who like a nice return on their money. It's a hobby for my wife and I.

I let the money accumulate in my main 2 accounts and recently now a third. The small ones I just cash right away. The money I accumulate in the large amounts I treat myself to something though lately not sure what else I need.

My wife also holds her own accounts in her name and she collects cash back, we use specific cards between us for the full 5%.
Such as right now, I get off 5% every time we eat out for dinner and 5% cash back at Sam's Club on one card for quarter.
Another card is 5% cash back on Amazon and Lowes.
Another card is 3% on groceries.
We use my wife's cash back card for 5% on gasoline. Her actually floats to the most used category in the billing period, so we use it for whatever I dont get 5% back on.
THEN we both have 2% cash back to default on with two other cards.

We are not poor by any means, at the same time we like to use all systems allowed to save money. We dont have so much that we feel we can throw it away and that is what we feel if we dont take the money corporations are offering us, for free! WE NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER run a balance. Always pay in full every month.

I mean, this is just 2 of my largest cards with cash back on them, I have smaller amounts on others and my wife has her own. The smaller cards total about $300 in cash back on them. Since they are smaller amounts I sometimes take bill credits on it.

If someone offers you $1,183.00 for free, you're not going to accept it? (ONE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY THREE DOLLARS) On just two of my cards. The biggest banks in the country offer this to you and people say no to it?
I understand not everyone has the self control and that is the danger, they know most dont pay the entire bill every month. But if your one who does, then use the system, its there and its free.
My two main cards cash back that I let accumulate (for about a year at a time, sometimes more, I dont keep track of time) until I have something I really want for myself as a free gift or even investment.

Discover card - $538.38
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Citi Card $645.44

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@alarmguy - You should check out the US Bank Cash+ card, betting you would be interested in it if you don't have it already, and I don't see it in your list above.

 

[thescreensavers]

Credit card all day for everything, I do keep some cash for random things but can go months before I even use it.

 

[dbias]

I believe I’ve had the same $53.00 dollars in my wallet for the past 3 months. I use my CC for my day to day stuff for the cash back.

Well I’m down to three dollars now. Had to use the fifty to fill my tank as the card readers at the BP were down.

 

[JeffKeryk]

This is very true. When you have to reach into your pocket and pull out, count, and hand over folding money for your purchases, it makes you very aware of what things are actually costing you.

People who are driving all over town, swiping those plastic cards every 15 minutes all day long don't have a clue. $5 or $1,500, it's all the same to them.

And I contend it's a major contributing factor why almost half of this country doesn't have $500.00 in the bank for an emergency. That really shows just how financially weak this nation is...... Along with the fact it doesn't even bother them.

This is exactly why casinos use chips and stuff cash when they get it at the table.

 

[billt460]

I used to pay cash until I got a card or two that pay 4% - 5% cash back on gas. I never understand when people are paying cash for a $.10 spread when it's +$3 and there are cards out there that can earn 4% or 5%. At >a 5% discount for cash I get it.

That "math" only works when you pay 100% of the balance religiously every month. Very few do. Most have double digit interest revolving monthly. They end up paying more for the gas..... Then pay interest on the borrowed money they used to buy it. Lose / lose.

 

[tessaseveride]

The only time I use cash nowadays is at the car wash. They charge half price in quarters compared to credit card swipes.

 

[99Saturn]

That "math" only works when you pay 100% of the balance religiously every month. Very few do. Most have double digit interest revolving monthly. They end up paying more for the gas..... Then pay interest on the borrowed money they used to buy it. Lose / lose.

100% agree, that math only works if the balance is paid every month, which many people don't do but many do.

https://www.lendingtree.com/credit-cards/credit-card-debt-statistics/#carry-balance

It's cool if someone doesn't want to/think they can be/isn't disciplined and opts to pay cash to keep that habit of not carrying a balance, I get that. it's cool if that isn't the reason and it's something else too, not really my business or concern. My post was partially sarcastic because the tone of your post was so clearly that all of those using CCs are so foolish. The other side is it's so easy to see with today's prices why someone would opt to charge it and save an extra $.05 - $.10 a gallon over cash prices when cash prices are only $.10 less.

Other fun fact for those CC points shoppers, some stations count gas station gift cards swiped at the pump as the cash price, so you walk inside and buy a gift card, collect 5% (3%, 2%, whatever you are getting) in CC points, and use the gift card (probably need to do that one visit in advance so the card activates) once it's active for the cash price. Obviously YMMV with that one.