Do you carry cash?

Thoughts_Arrive

I rarely use cash. I always tap and go with my card.
But many places I go have a minimum spend so I always have about $50 in my wallet.

brianlux

Both.  Actually, all three:  I carry cash, a checkbook and credit cards.  If what I'm buying is from a major chain store, I used the credit card to give my wife airline miles with which to go visit her daughter (unless its under 10 few bucks, then I just pay cash.) 

If the store is a small business, family owned business, or charity thrift store, I pay cash.  If it's more than I have on me, I offer to write a check in order to save them money.  If they don't accept checks, I either come back with cash or use a credit card as a last resort.

My feeling is that using credit cards at most small businesses is... how shall I put it?... very not cool.

But using credit cards at corporate stores and paying the c/c bill off in full each month is smart.

vogonpoetbythelake

brianlux said:

Both.  Actually, all three:  I carry cash, a checkbook and credit cards.  If what I'm buying is from a major chain store, I used the credit card to give my wife airline miles with which to go visit her daughter (unless its under 10 few bucks, then I just pay cash.) 

If the store is a small business, family owned business, or charity thrift store, I pay cash.  If it's more than I have on me, I offer to write a check in order to save them money.  If they don't accept checks, I either come back with cash or use a credit card as a last resort.

My feeling is that using credit cards at most small businesses is... how shall I put it?... very not cool.

But using credit cards at corporate stores and paying the c/c bill off in full each month is smart.

Totally where I am at as well...

Meltdown99

brianlux said:

Both.  Actually, all three:  I carry cash, a checkbook and credit cards.  If what I'm buying is from a major chain store, I used the credit card to give my wife airline miles with which to go visit her daughter (unless its under 10 few bucks, then I just pay cash.) 

If the store is a small business, family owned business, or charity thrift store, I pay cash.  If it's more than I have on me, I offer to write a check in order to save them money.  If they don't accept checks, I either come back with cash or use a credit card as a last resort.

My feeling is that using credit cards at most small businesses is... how shall I put it?... very not cool.

But using credit cards at corporate stores and paying the c/c bill off in full each month is smart.

Do people still use checks?

Spiritual_Chaos

PureandEasy said:

I went to a local produce store today with the intention of buying apples and cucumbers. The cost was $4.  When I attempted to pay with my debit card the cashier said there was an $8 minimum to use a card. I said I don’t have any cash on me.  He said, I can’t let you slide.  I left the items on the counter and walked out.

It’s not a matter of buying $4 more of items, it’s the principle.  I didn’t want anything else or I would have included other items in my purchase.

I very rarely have cash on hand.  Nowadays, people don’t even have a card on hand, they use their phone.

Afterward, I visited with family and discussed the situation.  One of my family members was appalled that I don’t carry cash.  Who doesn’t carry cash?? was her indignant reply.  

Most people, am I right??  And shouldn't business's adapt? I was pissed, I just don't get it.  This place does MEGA business, you can't tell me they can't work out a deal with their provider that doesn't pass the cost off on the consumer.

Not allowed in Sweden to reject credit card under a specific amount or taking an extra charge for using a credit card. Even though I guess some shop owners are getting fleeced by their banks.

And, I only use my card. Never carry cash. 

And I have never seen a checkbook out in public in my life. Or at least not in the last 20 years,.

WhatYouTaughtMe

Yes

F Me In The Brain

I carry cash, usually less than $100, though and prefer to pay with card or phone.

Tip in cash, almost always.
This is important, folks.  Tip in cash if you can.

F Me In The Brain

Also, big reason to carry cash, for me, is The Cash Whip.
You get more things, faster, and with better service, with The Cash Whip.
Also a great feeling to drop a $20 on someone expecting a buck or two.  Help the folks working hourly have a better day.
Give me good service, with a smile, you get The Cash Whip.

deadendp

Spiritual_Chaos said:

PureandEasy said:

I went to a local produce store today with the intention of buying apples and cucumbers. The cost was $4.  When I attempted to pay with my debit card the cashier said there was an $8 minimum to use a card. I said I don’t have any cash on me.  He said, I can’t let you slide.  I left the items on the counter and walked out.

It’s not a matter of buying $4 more of items, it’s the principle.  I didn’t want anything else or I would have included other items in my purchase.

I very rarely have cash on hand.  Nowadays, people don’t even have a card on hand, they use their phone.

Afterward, I visited with family and discussed the situation.  One of my family members was appalled that I don’t carry cash.  Who doesn’t carry cash?? was her indignant reply.  

Most people, am I right??  And shouldn't business's adapt? I was pissed, I just don't get it.  This place does MEGA business, you can't tell me they can't work out a deal with their provider that doesn't pass the cost off on the consumer.

Not allowed in Sweden to reject credit card under a specific amount or taking an extra charge for using a credit card. Even though I guess some shop owners are getting fleeced by their banks.

And, I only use my card. Never carry cash. 

And I have never seen a checkbook out in public in my life. Or at least not in the last 20 years,.

Technically, it should be the same way here. Contractually speaking with credit cards, if you accept the card, you accept any charge amount. There is not to be a minimum amount and are not to be surcharges. I know this because back in college, I used to work for a mom and pop wedding boutique. The owner used to charge a credit card use fee and we received letters from credit card agencies all the time to stop it. 

The shop you patronize always has to pay a credit/debit card processing fee with some credit cards costing more to process than others. (AMEX would be the one I am thinking of.) 

Last Sunday, we were at a smaller chain farm type market. All I could find that I wanted at that time was a pear. I had $40 cash (rare for me) and my debit and credit cards. I had my daughter put the pear back. I would not charge it and I did not want to break a 20 for it. 

My husband does not care. I have Discover alerts and he once charged 25 cents for a bolt. I asked him if he lost his mind. 

Like Brian, I do have my checkbook in my purse. This is for church contributions and to pay school fees for my daughter. I believe that when I contributed to something Dankind was collecting for, informed him of my lack of PayPal and needed to send a check, he called me blue hair. He accepted it, though.

I do carry a handful of singles this time of year for the red kettle collection, but noticed that they have now added electronic payments. I will only donate cash because of fees, but it's nice they have it. 

F Me In The Brain

Blue Hair Alert!

Thorns2010

What I don't get is the credit card fee would be a business expense so the company should just be able to write it off at tax time, so why the need to pass on the fee to the consumer? 

eeriepadave

I usually do, yes. Just in case.

BLACK35

I usually always have atleast $40 in my wallet

Jason P

Hobbes

mcgruff10

F Me In The Brain said:

I carry cash, usually less than $100, though and prefer to pay with card or phone.

Tip in cash, almost always.
This is important, folks.  Tip in cash if you can.

I agree with this.  If I am going out to eat I ll get some cash from the atm.  Otherwise I usually have no more than $10 on me, everything else I debit.  
Brian you use a check book?!?! Do you then go home and call the bank on your rotary phone to make the transfer?  

ed243421

Just my lucky silver dollar

Hobbes

Jason P

Spiritual_Chaos

Jason P said:

Are those fejk dollars only printed on one side?