[Michael G.]

I am really confused about how to pay today using either cash or credit.

Some retailers are taking credit only.
Some are taking cash only.
If you're lucky, some take both.

Then pay fees to withdraw YOUR money from a ATM machine to use cash.
Or use a credit card and get charged 3%-4%.

....then there's those pesky tips that I'll leave for another day

Your Thoughts

[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

I am really confused about how to pay today using either cash or credit.

Some retailers are taking credit only.
Some are taking cash only.
If you're lucky, some take both.

Then pay fees to withdraw YOUR money from a ATM machine to use cash.
Or use a credit card and get charged 3%-4%.

....then there's those pesky tips that I'll leave for another day

Your Thoughts

There was a thread about this several months ago. I personally use cash wherever/whenever possible. It’s pretty sad that there is a clear move by some to remove cash from our landscape (a move I believe we will regret). That said, I don’t get charged those fees for purchases you’ve described....the retailer might but not me. The ATM issue....use your in network options to avoid fees.

I’ve started to push back on unearned, expected and unwarranted tipping. Specifically, a coffee at a DD...I buy a $25 gift card which creates zero prompts for tips. If I feel a level of service or gesture warrants one, I reach into my cash pocket and tip accordingly

[ElDiabloJoe]

Originally Posted by Shipping up to Boston

There was a thread about this several months ago. I personally use cash wherever/whenever possible. It’s pretty sad that there is a clear move by some to remove cash from our landscape (a move I believe we will regret). That said, I don’t get charged those fees for purchases you’ve described....the retailer might but not me. The ATM issue....use your in network options to avoid fees.

I’ve started to push back on unearned, expected and unwarranted tipping. Specifically, a coffee at a DD...I buy a $25 gift card which creates zero prompts for tips. If I feel a level of service or gesture warrants one, I reach into my cash pocket and tip accordingly

I concur with this. Additionally, tipping in cash allows the tipped to not report or have to lose 20% of the tip to the IRS. If anyone needs more money in their pocket, it's service industry folks, IMHO.

[retiredguy123]

1. I don't pay anything to withdraw my money from an ATM.
2. I rarely pay a fee to use a credit card because most retailers will accept a credit card with no fee. But I will pay a fee to a contractor if it is for a large purchase.
3. I only use cash in a restaurant.
4. If a retailer requires a fee to use a credit card, in most cases, I will opt to pay cash instead.
5. I never use a debit card for any purchases.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

I am really confused about how to pay today using either cash or credit.

Some retailers are taking credit only.
Some are taking cash only.
If you're lucky, some take both.

Then pay fees to withdraw YOUR money from a ATM machine to use cash.
Or use a credit card and get charged 3%-4%.

....then there's those pesky tips that I'll leave for another day

Your Thoughts

Here ya go 99 thoughts…..
Credit Card surcharges

[Keefelane66]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

I am really confused about how to pay today using either cash or credit.

Some retailers are taking credit only.
Some are taking cash only.
If you're lucky, some take both.

Then pay fees to withdraw YOUR money from a ATM machine to use cash.
Or use a credit card and get charged 3%-4%.

....then there's those pesky tips that I'll leave for another day

Your Thoughts

I don’t pay fees to withdraw money from my banks ATM, always have bills and change for the times a business doesn’t take credit card.

[Michael G.]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Here ya go 99 thoughts…..
Credit Card surcharges

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/pers...a24ca69b&ei=25

[Stu from NYC]

Since covid rarely pay in cash.

CC for just about everything and do add tips to restaurant bill.

Generally avoid restaurants that add cc surcharge to bill.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by ElDiabloJoe

I concur with this. Additionally, tipping in cash allows the tipped to not report or have to lose 20% of the tip to the IRS. If anyone needs more money in their pocket, it's service industry folks, IMHO.

We pay taxes why make it is easier for others to not pay their taxes.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

So - wait staff and bartenders are -allowed- to earn less than minimum wage in Florida (and many other states). Those are tip-dependent employees, and I will usually tip them in cash, no matter what method I'm using to pay my dinner tab.

Take-out and curb-side, hosts and counter clerks are -not- tip dependent, so I don't ever plan on tipping them. I might tip them anyway if they do something spectacular, but I never plan on it.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Generally avoid restaurants that add cc surcharge to bill.

Me 2 (not the Me2 movement......I jus agree)


(hopefully B99 won't reprimand me for reducing your post to what is relevant to my post)

[MikeVillages]

I no longer have a wallet that holds cash. I have one of those small, plastic wallets that fans out the credit cards with a small lever on the side. So much easier and a lot less bulky.

[Toymeister]

I get 2.5% cash on every purchase, not just some categories not just some months. 2.5% every month on everything. So the surcharges are easier to swallow.

Alliant Credit union, everyone can join.

[ThirdOfFive]

"This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private" (small print on the dollar bill)

I wonder what the reaction would be if someone incurred a debt for which the merchant only accepted credit payment (a car repair, say) and when it came time to pay up offered the amount owned in "legal tender" (i.e. cash) stating that he doesn't believe in, and has no credit cards of any kind.

[Michael G.]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

I get 2.5% cash on every purchase, not just some categories not just some months. 2.5% every month on everything. So the surcharges are easier to swallow.

Alliant Credit union, everyone can join.

So, when you get dinged for 3% and 4% using your CC, you still loose.