Paying cash these days.....

[Bob Wright]

So my bookkeeping is antiquated, you ought to follow my cash purchases....

I allow myself $125/week for grocery money and $130/week for miscelaneous purchases. I record these in a notebook, rounding up to the nearest dollar. Each day I deposit all coins in my "piggy bank" (not really a piggy, but jars of various sorts.). Not too long back I rolled up all my loosed change accumulated over the past months. The total deposit came to $170.00! This goes back into my cash money fund.

Somenoe commented my systen was antiquated. So am I. I am so antiquated that I still shoot Single Action revolvers!

Bob Wright

 

[hittman]

If it works for you, nothing else matters

 

[DGW1949]

My system is similar....I keep enough in the bank to cover the checks that I will need to write to pay my bills. All the rest, I take out in cash. The cash goes in a money clip so's I can buy gas, groceries and have some "walking around money". Some months, I have cash left over. When that happens, it goes into an old zip-up bank bag that is stored in my gun safe untill it's needed....And to Bob's point, whatever change I accumulate during the process eventually gets rolled-up and converted back into cash also....I been doing it that way for almost 60 years. No muss, no fuss, and no cards to get hacked...And as a little added bonus, here lately I seem to be getting more 'n more cash discounts.

DGW

 

[Bob Wright]

Good point: most establishments are now charging a fee for using credit cards. This does mount up over time.

Bob Wright

 

[gnappi]

Especially the gas stations and I don't buy there.

 

[eveled]

Bob do you have one of those clickers to keep a tally as you add items to your cart.

 

[powder smoke]

Good point: most establishments are now charging a fee for using credit cards. This does mount up over time.

Bob Wright

A fee for credit cards! WoW No way I would pay a fee I'd walk away first! screw that crap!

 

[epags]

Good point: most establishments are now charging a fee for using credit cards. This does mount up over time.

Bob Wright

Actually all companies build in to the cost the ~3% credit card processing fee......unfortunately only a few discount the fee from the selling price if you pay cash. I support them when I can.

 

[Bob Wright]

Actually all companies build in to the cost the ~3% credit card processing fee......unfortunately only a few discount the fee from the selling price if you pay cash. I support them when I can.

Credit card fees should be a part of the cost of doing business, therefore ought to be included in the price of the service, such as the telephone bill, utility bills, rent, advertising, etc. So adding a credit card fee is superfluous.

Bob Wright

 

[Dan in MI]

Credit card fees are due to rewards cards. You think that “bonus” you get is out if the goodness of their heart?

Regarding change. When we were first married my wife was a waitress. Quarters were immediately rolled and added to the budget. Dimes, nickels, and pennies we relegated to jars. I can tell you with certainty that a fifth bottle of dimes is $130 and a fifth of nickels is $85. We cashed them in enough to get a solid average. I still have jars of pennies.

Currently I only save quarters. When they hit $50 I cash them in. (above 50 incurs a fee) then the Grant get added to the gun fund.

 

[DGW1949]

Credit card fees are due to rewards cards. You think that "bonus" you get is out if the goodness of their heart?

Regarding change. When we were first married my wife was a waitress. Quarters were immediately rolled and added to the budget. Dimes, nickels, and pennies we relegated to jars. I can tell you with certainty that a fifth bottle of dimes is $130 and a fifth of nickels is $85. We cashed them in enough to get a solid average. I still have jars of pennies.

Currently I only save quarters. When they hit $50 I cash them in. (above 50 incurs a fee) then the Grant get added to the gun fund.

From the FWIW Dept:
I cash mine in with the manager of my local Auto Zone...I get cash without being deducted a fee and he gets to skip buying change at his bank for a while...win-win.

DGW

 

[gunzo]

Cash can come with certain inconveniences these days, but when the chips are down, the card reader not working etc. There is no substitute.

Otherwise. Thinking the most I ever paid in cash was about $10,400 for a boat. The asking price was 12. The green backs spoke loudly, right then, right there. Have seen that happen a lot.

 

[contender]

Bob,, I'm right there with you on using cash as much as I can.

I use my CC for specific things,, but I use cash for most of my daily & weekly expenses. My change gets put into a small change sorter on my desk. Once a denomination is at the top, I put any other change like it in a small jug. Once all 4 spots get full, I roll the coins, & start over. Once my jug gets full,,, I sit down & roll it up as well. I stack up my rolls until I get a few hundred dollars,, then it goes to my bank,, cashed in,, and then those greenbacks get put aside as extra gun funds.
Otherwise,, I pay cash in most of my dealings. Occasionally, I'll get a discount for using cash. And occasionally, I'll get a clerk that can't make change. But I've had enough deals happen because I had CASH in hand to where the seller sees this,, and is a bit more negotiable on the item I'm wanting to buy.

Besides,, using cash pizzes off those who want to make this a cash-less society.

 

[2Late45]

I just love you guys and Bob's post helps to make me feel a lot more normal...

 

[Bob Wright]

Bob do you have one of those clickers to keep a tally as you add items to your cart.

No, Sir, I don't. I'm sure I have enough money to pay at the checkout. Then do the calculatin' when I get home and after putting groceriies away.

Bob Wright

 

[eveled]

When I was a kid I remember the housewives on a budget had one. I had to google it. Fairgrove helper.

Pretty sure none of them came even close to $99.99

 

[GypsmJim]

If I pay cash the charge is what it is. If they take my credit card, I get a 2% cash back every month. Over the course of a year, using my CC for every purchase, my cash backs usually amount to about $2,000.00. That ain't chump change.

I pay my bill 100% every month, so I have NEVER paid a dime in interest.

If I see a store that won't take a credit card, I don't shop there. If I go to a store that charges a 2% premium for a credit card, I shop there only once, because then I only break even. If the charge is over 2% I shop elsewhere.

So far I have had no problem finding alternate stores that meet my requirements. If the time comes that my CC will end up costing ME money, then I'll change my method. Nevertheless, I will simply hate to have to spend my own time driving to the bank to get paper money.

Personal finances are all about responsibility. If you use the CC for necessary expenses, good for you. If you get carried away and spend money you really don't have, then shame on you.

All that said, there are 2 fantastic restaurants that we frequent near our mountain cabin. We simply have to eat their, the food is that good. Neither will take CC or check. But they DO have an ATM. In that case I surrender.

 

[Fox Mike]

Bob I guess I too am living in the past but I use written checks, cash, and the USPS and know where the $$ goes and why.

 

[Jeepnik]

I can sort of understand why retailers charge a fee to use cards. They are charged by the bank. But what I can't abide is governmental organizations that want you to use cards but force you to use a third party that charges a fee based on the percentage.

I had no problem paying a tax software company to file my taxes. I didn't have to use them and they are a private business. But when things like DMV and property taxes started with the percentage based fee it became obvious the third parties were kicking back some of their "fee" to the government, if not some governmental officials.

The government wants you to use cards because it is cheaper and easier for them. Being me, I just sent them a paper check. It's going to cost them to process the payment, not me.

Then again, I think there should be a law forcing places that use self check outs to reimburse the customer for their time and effort.

 

[Kevin]

Contender mentioned “cashless society”

I do see more and more places that have signs in the window: “No Cash Accepted.” My only guess is employee theft prevention? It also saves time not having to count cash at the end of the night.

I’ve also read that in Sweden, Finland and Norway, those countries are almost cashless. I’ve never been there so can’t say.

But from what I read cashless societies aren’t a good thing. But that’s just because if the electricity goes out. Or if the computer system gets hacked. Which is more of a threat these days than the electricity failing.

There are just so many people in the US, I can’t see America becoming cashless.

Another thought:
My daughter is telling me her friends in high school already have credit cards. But being under 18, the cards must be tied to their parents’ accounts.

If out daughter goes out, we do give her money. Cash on her phone. It’s not a credit card, and not a pre paid debit card. I’m not sure how it works. But it’s treated like cash. Interesting times. My wife does it. I’m not sure if my wife can see her transactions or not. I’ll have to ask.

 

[contender]

"My only guess is employee theft prevention?"

Wrong.

The powers that WANT control over us,, can not TRACK,, or TAX,,, cash transactions as easily as electronic stuff.

Follow the money. They want to know where all the money is so they can get all they can from us. Think about the barter system,, from decades ago. When you needed a service or goods,, you would often barter with the other party with something you had they wanted.
Remember hearing about "Egg & butter" money housewives had? They worked at home,, and had chickens & cows. Extra eggs & butter from the milk,, was turned into money or whatever the other people had that wanted eggs or butter or whatever else they did. The bartering system can't be easily tracked or taxed. The government can't get their cut. That's why they have "tax laws" saying you have to claim any money you make on stuff you sell or whatever as income. Of course,, I know the good folks here never defraud the government of the tax on goods or services we barter for.

 

[GypsmJim]

I believe the government is trying to work toward a cashless society. The foundation is already there. Rumor has it that they will also get their hands on your IRAs and direct you how you can spend it.

Y'all know about electric houses and electric cars. Remember all of this when you vote. Our guns are also hanging in the balance. Going cashless is the least of our worries.

 

[krw]

The Government will not have to push you towards going ‘Cashless’. The younger generation does not carry money.

 

[375hh1973]

The Government will not have to push you towards going 'Cashless'. The younger generation does not carry money.

Not just the younger generation but a lot of people my age.

None of our friends use much cash.

Cash is a pain in the ass. Too many bills, coins, etc.

 

[Johnny-Baseball]

Maybe for some. But I always carry $200 cash. I've had a couple of occasions in the last year when that cash saved the day. YMMV

 

[peachhead]

The Government will not have to push you towards going 'Cashless'. The younger generation does not carry money.

My daughter never has cash. She said something to me the other day about not even having any cash in the house.

 

[gnappi]

I like having cash on me. Whether it's using it at a drive through for a burger, leaving a tip at a restaurant or the many small purchases I make for a few dollars I just can't be bothered scrutinizing my MC statement for those small purchases so cash is king.

I receive and cash one of my retirement checks for just those purposes and find that the ~$400 monthly I get just lasts the month.

Funny the bank and the check originator would really, REALLY prefer I make automatic payments to my checking account so I can use the ATM but I figure MY way works for me and I'm not about to change it for other's convenience.

 

[contender]

As noted,, the government wants a cashless society. That way they can control & TAX everything. And they have brainwashed the younger generation mostly already.
But if y'all recall,, a few months ago,, a "secure" computer network had a "bug" that shut down a LOT of stuff. Computer operated retail businesses all over could not do any transactions,, unless it was cash. I went to a small country farm store. It's computer was down. But they were using a notebook, and hand writing all sales in the book, and ONLY accepting cash.

"Cash is a pain in the ass. Too many bills, coins, etc."

I politely disagree. I carry enough cash in my wallet to do most things I might suddenly need to purchase or pay for. A few hundred dollar bills is easy to carry, along with a selection of smaller bills. I can stack 10 paper bills, fold them in half, and still be thinner than the plastic credit card. The paper is much more flexible & conforming in the wallet than a plastic card. A small amount of change in the pocket isn't hard either. Just enough to round out a purchase.

If I have an emergency,, or whatever,, I do NOT want to rely upon ANY electrical item to pay for what I need. Cash is always easily used. And often,, it makes a difference in actually getting something,, or even getting it cheaper.

My youngest son carries cash. He was at work, and a guy was selling an estate of guns. My son was looking at one, (a Ruger) and as he was paying cash,, another guy came in & said; "I was gonna buy that!" To which my son said; "Cash talks & BS walks." The seller told the other guy; "I told you, first come first served." The other guy said; "I didn't have the money on me!"
My son did.

I'll never own an electric car. I'll never stop using cash or the barter system. I'll never have an electric monitoring system (Alexis) in my house. My computer has the camera taped over. I don't use farcebook, ticker-tock, google-fu, you-boob, or other things used by many.
And my life is actually happy & comfortable.
Now I know that these forums are monitored & such. But it's much more limited than all the other crap out there. With my choice of fewer things than many,, my stress & worries are also lower.

But cash is just a form of payment for services & goods. In one way or another,, it's been used since the beginning of time when one person needed something that another person had.
Taxes were created by greedy people in power.
A big part of our own American Revolution was over a tax on tea.
And a cashless society is desired by the modern greedy people in power.

 

[krw]

When I usta work at a Sawmill, I always carried pocketful of cash. I would buy guns, rods n reels, tires off new trucks and I liked to loan money. It took cash to do those things

 

[Kevin]

The other day I had to go to an ATM, first time in a long while.

Oh and by the way, at this machine at the bank, you insert your card, type your pin, then remove your card BEFORE making any transactions.

So now I’ve got $60 in my wallet.

Contender, I get what you’re saying. But I just hardly ever carry cash. When I drive out to NC in October, I’ll probably have this $60 and maybe another $100 in cash. But I doubt I’ll use it at all.