Do You Use Cash Anymore?

[N44125]

Just curious. Have you used cash in the last week? If you did, what did you use it for?

[Villager Joyce]

Dinner at Evans Prairie, haircut at Cal's, Church, farmers market, garden show at Wildwood.

[memason]

I rarely use cash anymore...it has to be something that is only a couple bucks for me to use cash.

Just about everything goes through the credit card these days... Just don't carry any balances and it's ok.

[dbussone]

Cash is king. Don't ever be without it for emergency purposes.

[OpusX1]

Very little cash and less than four checks a month.
Last cash was for two cones at Ambrosia,$6, that was last Tuesday.

[red tail]

only use cash if they wont accept charge card.....

[joldnol]

cash for restaurants

[janmcn]

Use only cash for gas. There's been too many problem with skimmers at gas stations.

[TheVillageChicken]

I better not say. :ohdear:

[JoMar]

The golf guys and the poker guys won't take my card so yeah, I do use cash.....:)

[Ecuadog]

I carry cash, but try not to use it. You would be surprised how much you can "earn" from using credit cards wisely, be it for airline miles, some kind of reward points and even cash back. I haven't checked if there is a TV club for this kind of "hobby", but there should be one.

[obxgal]

Gas, lunch, and grocery shopping.

[billethkid]

We use cash back credit cards and use them for literally everything.
Makes for much easier record and book keeping.

[Chatbrat]

I rarely use cash, I get 5% back for gas, 3% back for dining out & 1% back on everything else.

[Bryant]

Entenmann's Bakery Outlet

[ugotme]

VERY rarely.

Last time for for a haircut at Cals.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

If you saw my monthly American Express bill you would know that I do not use cash.

[capecoralbill]

I rarely use cash, I get 5% back for gas, 3% back for dining out & 1% back on everything else.

May I ask what card pays those good percentages. I use my card for everything. I especially hate to get coin change in my pockets, and then onto my dresser and eventually to the coin machine, that counts it and charges ten percent. Bill

[pmbinnj]

What's cash? Do you mean those funny green pieces of linen and cotton? Nope, I use credit card companys' "cash" and they let me borrow it for free every month (have not paid them interest in over 30 years so I appreciate the loan). But I suppose there are some coins in the car somewhere - maybe.

[FlamingoFlo]

i bought something at the craft fair a couple weeks ago and had to use cash. i love my cash back rewards on my card. I like using Apple Pay on my phone but not many places are using that yet.

[Topspinmo]

I don't like paying interest on shyt that's gone if you get my drift. When even they make credit card that can't be skimmed, hacked, duplicated, identity stolen, or charged on by low life employees, then I might think about going all charge. I doubt that will happen this decade. Course I have not paid interest on credit card for 30 years. I am surprised they will give me one.

[hulahips]

Yes. Used for restaurants grocery stores movies etc

[Chatbrat]

Sam's Club Master Card--pays the percentages I had mentioned

[NYGUY]

I use less than $10 a week....my wife on the other hand uses it like monopoly money (she knows it's harder for me to track it that way....she is a smart woman)!!

[DigitalGranny]

Cash at the Farmers Market every Thursday and prefer to leave the tip at restaurants in cash ( servers seem to like it, too!). Otherwise, just odds and ends. Even have a Starbucks app on my phone to pay for me coffee.

[Yung Dum]

What the &%!@! is cash?

[asianthree]

Restaurants, gas stations, hair cuts

[jblum315]

Cash for tips always. Otherwise I use my debit card (just like cash). For major expenses like airline tickets I use American Express. Always carry cash for emergencies.

[HimandMe]

I don't like paying interest on shyt that's gone if you get my drift. When even they make credit card that can't be skimmed, hacked, duplicated, identity stolen, or charged on by low life employees, then I might think about going all charge. I doubt that will happen this decade. Course I have not paid interest on credit card for 30 years. I am surprised they will give me one.

Using it more often since our cards have been hacked around TV. Check your statements against gas stations and restaurants. Even the banks are a risk as a while back our bank changed computer systems and everyone with the same name were merged. I have a common first and last name and someone drained my account. I got the money back after a year of fighting for it and going to a lawyer.

The Internet where all these things are located is not totally safe folks. If you are going to take up a cause, here is a good one...Internet safety of our banks and cards.

[looneycat]

I use cash at Target! :loco:

[MikeV]

I pay mostly with Frequent Flyer Miles cards. One thing I use cash for is tips at restaurants. I was never a waiter but friends who were said management would monitor their tip amounts for what reason I don't recall. So I tip in cash thinking maybe I am making the servers a little happier.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I hardly ever use cash. The deal on air miles is too good. I try to use my card for everything.

I do keep about $30-$40 in my pocket in case someone doesn't take credit cards but it lasts for a month or more. I pay as many bills as I can with my credit card and am not happy about some entities that won't accept my credit card. I may cancel my membership at Sam's Club because they don't accept VISA. when I consider that the membership is $100 a year, and what I save, I have to consider what I lose in air fares. One of the utility companies doesn't accept credit card as a method of payment. I wish I could change it.

Of course, I pay off my balance every month so I never pay any interest. I think that anyone who still uses cash is missing out.

Of course if I need cash in an emergency, there are always plenty of ATMs around.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I pay mostly with Frequent Flyer Miles cards. One thing I use cash for is tips at restaurants. I was never a waiter but friends who were said management would monitor their tip amounts for what reason I don't recall. So I tip in cash thinking maybe I am making the servers a little happier.

I also try to tip in cash for the same reasons. Especially in Chinese buffets where many of those kids are working for tips only. A lot of people don't know it but many of those servers at buffets are here because a company has made a deal with their families. The restaurant pays the family a lump sum and then the kid has to work it off bussing tables and serving water. They get to keep their tips. Many of the owners will not give them the tips that are on cards. The kids only get what is left on the table for them, and in many cases it's not a lot because they don't take your order or bring the food to the table. But they do clear and clean the table and bring additional drinks. In some cases, they work harder than servers in other restaurants that have buss people.

[DianeM]

Hardly ever use cash anymore. Usually have a few dollars in my wallet for a cup of coffee or for tips but that's about it.

[Sandtrap328]

I also try to tip in cash for the same reasons. Especially in Chinese buffets where many of those kids are working for tips only. A lot of people don't know it but many of those servers at buffets are here because a company has made a deal with their families. The restaurant pays the family a lump sum and then the kid has to work it off bussing tables and serving water. They get to keep their tips. Many of the owners will not give them the tips that are on cards. The kids only get what is left on the table for them, and in many cases it's not a lot because they don't take your order or bring the food to the table. But they do clear and clean the table and bring additional drinks. In some cases, they work harder than servers in other restaurants that have buss people.

Are you basically saying that the young people at local Chinese buffets are working as indentured servants? Is this for their family in the US or in China? That sounds highly illegal to me with the younger workers probably being illegals. Read a book called "Snakehead" and it tells about the same thing.

[beachx4me]

Cash is king. Don't ever be without it for emergency purposes.


Agree, agree. Have seen people in a predicament when they encounter a cash only business, especially if it is their first time there and they were unaware!

With the fees and charges associated with credit cards, many small mom and pop businesses are resorting to cash only. Certainly understand, a small business loses thousands to those fees yearly. Been there, done that!

I always have some cash tucked away when I go out.

[beachx4me]

Oh, and to the actual question - my caffeine fix at the gas station on Monday.

[Barefoot]

Just curious. Have you used cash in the last week? If you did, what did you use it for?

I use cash-back Visa whenever possible: restaurants, gas, online shopping, etc. I keep cash handy for emergencies, but it's rarely used except for tips.

[gpirate]

Just curious. Have you used cash in the last week? If you did, what did you use it for?

Never carry cash anymore. Just to much risk of getting robbed if people see you buying with cash. Also the fact that credit cards give you an incentive to charge. Just payoff each month during the grace period.

[gpirate]

I use less than $10 a week....my wife on the other hand uses it like monopoly money (she knows it's harder for me to track it that way....she is a smart woman)!!

LOL on that one NYGUY. Our ladies are smart and know how to get around our accounting methods.

[Avista]

We us cash for groceries. Have a food allowance.

[JoMar]

I carry cash but never dollar bills.....hate them....use the gold dollar coins instead. Easier to retrieve, doesn't give an indication of what's in a wallet. You would be surprised how many servers don't know they exist. Then sometimes, just for fun, I will also carry a few 2 dollar bills which, along with dollar coins, helps some servers do math.

[princesspat]

There is an author named Dave Ramsey who has been a great help to us financially. How book is The Total Money Makeover. He says that using cash fires the same neurons in your brain as being in pain. Its true! Take 20 to the store and you will put back things you would have gotten on your credit card. Even though we too used to credit everything and pay off the balance, we now have envelopes with spending, restaurants, clothes and play. Every two weeks we put in the same amount we used to charge for theses things, and now we usually have money left over at the end of the two weeks. We use the "leftovers" for things we want but don't need (bought an iPad, etc.) Still charge gas, big purchases, etc. Works for us! And we have airline miles, too, from the bigger purchases, so spending extra just to get miles doesn't make sense to us.

[gomoho]

There is an author named Dave Ramsey who has been a great help to us financially. How book is The Total Money Makeover. He says that using cash fires the same neurons in your brain as being in pain. Its true! Take 20 to the store and you will put back things you would have gotten on your credit card. Even though we too used to credit everything and pay off the balance, we now have envelopes with spending, restaurants, clothes and play. Every two weeks we put in the same amount we used to charge for theses things, and now we usually have money left over at the end of the two weeks. We use the "leftovers" for things we want but don't need (bought an iPad, etc.) Still charge gas, big purchases, etc. Works for us! And we have airline miles, too, from the bigger purchases, so spending extra just to get miles doesn't make sense to us.

I like you plan - congratulations on what appears to be a great execution of said plan!

[OBXNana]

We charge everything to get Hilton points and air miles. Pay at the end of the month. The only exception is when we tip we give cash and when shopping at small, non-chain stores. The small stores lose 2% to 3% on card purchases and I hate to do that so I can get a couple points toward a free night in a hotel.

[Sandtrap328]

Never carry cash anymore. Just to much risk of getting robbed if people see you buying with cash. Also the fact that credit cards give you an incentive to charge. Just payoff each month during the grace period.

From your location, you say The Villages next. You will feel very safe. I have been here 5 years and there has not been a single instance of a person being robbed of cash in a holdup. Some home burglaries but no person on person robberies of Villagers.

I do think there have been a couple of businesses robbed at gunpoint. Sure a lot different than the Washington DC area I came from, though!

[CFrance]

Are you basically saying that the young people at local Chinese buffets are working as indentured servants? Is this for their family in the US or in China? That sounds highly illegal to me with the younger workers probably being illegals. Read a book called "Snakehead" and it tells about the same thing.
Yes, read Snakehead. You will be astounded.

Back to topic, I gave Doggie Doo Run Run $3 today and $6 last week. They accept checks, but I'm not putting my check with account number in their till box at the entrance to the park.

Otherwise it's credit cards for the mileage.

[Justus]

We use cash almost exclusively. The government and marketing agencies everywhere that monitor your personal habits don't need to know what we buy or where we spend our money. As one poster said, cash is still king. In the unlikely event that you're robbed, all they can take is the money you have on you at the time. Moreover, it's a whole lot more difficult to steal your identity from a hundred-dollar bill than from your credit card.

[Barefoot]

I gave Doggie Doo Run Run $3 today and $6 last week. They accept checks, but I'm not putting my check with account number in their till box at the entrance to the park.

I have been leaving monthly cheques in the till box at Doggie Doo Run Run for eight years and it never once occurred to me that I was being foolish. I'm glad you mentioned about cash being safer. I always thought the opposite.
You're the smart one. I tend to be naive. I need to be more careful and less trusting.

[CFrance]

I have been leaving monthly cheques in the till box at Doggie Doo Run Run for eight years and it never once occurred to me that I was being foolish. I'm glad you mentioned about cash being safer. I always thought the opposite.
You're the smart one. I tend to be naive. I need to be more careful and less trusting.
Well, the people at DDRR are probably the least likely to be stealing your info, Bare. After all, they're dog lovers!:wave:

I just don't like to leave checks in public places. Maybe I'm just over cautious.

[CFrance]

Well, the people at DDRR are probably the least likely to be stealing your info, Bare. After all, they're dog lovers!:wave:

I just don't like to leave checks in public places. Maybe I'm just over cautious.
PS: The few times I paid monthly, I mailed them the check.

[Sandtrap328]

I pay mostly with Frequent Flyer Miles cards. One thing I use cash for is tips at restaurants. I was never a waiter but friends who were said management would monitor their tip amounts for what reason I don't recall. So I tip in cash thinking maybe I am making the servers a little happier.

I like to tip in cash, too. I write on the tip line "in cash" so the manager does not think the server did such a poor job that the customer did not tip.

[queasy27]

Drive-through at McDonald's for an Egg McMuffin (two for $3 special!) For whatever neurotic reason, I'm embarrassed to use a debit card at a drive through. I wouldn't be if I was inside the restaurant.

[Cisco Kid]

Well, the people at DDRR are probably the least likely to be stealing your info, Bare. After all, they're dog lovers!:wave:

I just don't like to leave checks in public places. Maybe I'm just over cautious.


Aww !!! Memories 🌴👍😎

[RickeyD]

There is an author named Dave Ramsey who has been a great help to us financially. How book is The Total Money Makeover. He says that using cash fires the same neurons in your brain as being in pain. Its true! Take 20 to the store and you will put back things you would have gotten on your credit card. Even though we too used to credit everything and pay off the balance, we now have envelopes with spending, restaurants, clothes and play. Every two weeks we put in the same amount we used to charge for theses things, and now we usually have money left over at the end of the two weeks. We use the "leftovers" for things we want but don't need (bought an iPad, etc.) Still charge gas, big purchases, etc. Works for us! And we have airline miles, too, from the bigger purchases, so spending extra just to get miles doesn't make sense to us.


[emoji106] for Dave Ramsey

[Madelaine Amee]

There is an author named Dave Ramsey who has been a great help to us financially. How book is The Total Money Makeover. He says that using cash fires the same neurons in your brain as being in pain. Its true! Take 20 to the store and you will put back things you would have gotten on your credit card. Even though we too used to credit everything and pay off the balance, we now have envelopes with spending, restaurants, clothes and play. Every two weeks we put in the same amount we used to charge for theses things, and now we usually have money left over at the end of the two weeks. We use the "leftovers" for things we want but don't need (bought an iPad, etc.) Still charge gas, big purchases, etc. Works for us! And we have airline miles, too, from the bigger purchases, so spending extra just to get miles doesn't make sense to us.

:BigApplause: We use cash for everyday living, that way I know what I am spending.

[Shimpy]

I was never a waiter but friends who were said management would monitor their tip amounts for what reason I don't recall. So I tip in cash thinking maybe I am making the servers a little happier.

Probably to report to IRS. Servers can cheat by not reporting cash tips. I had a barber for many years that was getting ready to retire and told me that he cheated the IRS all his life but now was only going to get $200. per month in social security.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Are you basically saying that the young people at local Chinese buffets are working as indentured servants? Is this for their family in the US or in China? That sounds highly illegal to me with the younger workers probably being illegals. Read a book called "Snakehead" and it tells about the same thing.

It sounds illegal to me as well, but it goes on. These kids all live together in housing provided by the restaurant owner. They often sleep four or five to a room. They get picked up in a van in the morning and brought to the restaurant where they stay until closing. They usually get two or three days off per month. The restaurant also gives them three meals a day.

I'm not sure, but I suspect that the restaurant owners do the paperwork to show that they are paying them the minimum wage for a server and then charging them for housing and food.

I've spoken with many of these kids and they all tell the same story. Now, it may not be the case with all of them but it is the case with a lot of them.

There is a whole network where ads are run in newspapers in China and work visas are provided for kids that sign up. In the northeast, most of them are permanently housed in New York City and there is a bus service that transports them back and forth from NYC to the cities where they work and stay in temporary residences. The bus fare is minimal and I suspect that a group of restaurant owners own the bus company. I also suspect that the Chinese organized crime syndicates are behind a lot of the restaurants. Again, not all of them but certainly many of them.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

:BigApplause: We use cash for everyday living, that way I know what I am spending.

I can go online every day and see what I'm spending and what I've spent.

[dewilson58]

I can go online every day and see what I'm spending and what I've spent.

Me too.

And I get an annual report telling how I wasted my money.

:Screen_of_Death: