Cash In Your Wallet

[Janice]

I have no cash in my purse. I just find I don't need any. When we go on vacation, I always have about $20 in ones for tips, etc. Other than this, I always use my bank or credit card. I cannot remember the last time I wrote a check? I never go out unless I have a few things to buy, groceries, etc., so no need to just buy something for a couple dollars.

Is this the norm? Even our tolls have express lines that use stickers on the windshields, so don't need money there.

Do you find you use less cash these days?

[gtalum]

I top off my wallet to $100 cash every payday. While I try to use my credit card for everything to get the reward points, sometimes it is just more convenient to use cash or I can get a better deal with cash, so I always try to keep some on me when I go anywhere.

[angelwing]

I don't use credit cards or debit cards (don't have them anyway) and I carry only $20 on me, if I don't have the cash I don't buy it.

[Janice]

Well, since I don't drive, John is always with me when I go somewhere and if cash is needed, he covers it.

I have my drivers book. I haven't driven for 14 years here. I am going to take the test and get my license now. I am afraid with John's health concerns, it would be a good idea for me to drive in case of an emergency. It would help out a lot if I did some of the shopping too. Maybe I will get my little Volkswagon now

[coriolis]

I've been using cash less and my debit card more. Although I have a deep seated fear of depending completely on electronic transactions, it does help me track the expenditures better. I used to take out cash for groceries, but I found that it would get frittered away on everything but groceries. Then I'd have to go take out more cash.

Now I use the debit card for groceries and other larger purchases, and take out some cash for the incidentals. It helps to keep on budget.

I still write checks for rent, utilities, and school lunch money. Giving the kids cash for lunch money is like asking for it to get "lost" or not used for lunches. Checks always seem to make it in.

[Cryomaniac]

I currently have 20p (40c) in my wallet. I'm pretty broke right now.

[x-y-no]

I habitually use cash - no good reason now except that it's the habit I developed during my years of crappy credit ratings, when nobody would give me a card with any kind of reasonable rate.

[Janice]

I pay almost all my bills online which really helps. I hardly use stamps anymore.

[nholley]

I don't use cash and I don;t have a check book. The trusty cards all the way.

[azskyman]

What has changed most is the number of checks that I write. Most transactions are on credit card or automated (paperless) through the bank.

I'd be shot for sure if anyone held me at gunpoint for the cash in my wallet. Rarely would there be enough for a meal at McDonalds. Been that way since I was 16.

Never had any extra to put in my wallet then.

Still don't.

Seems that a simple Excel file defines my financial condition which defines my mental condition which defines my marital condition which defines my overall health condition and whether I should get up the next day or not.

[chadtm80]

If I have money, its usualy cash in the wallet.. Most of my purchases are cash purchases

[P.K.]

What is this cash thing??

I used my debit card for only £1.18 (US$2.36 using the current good exchange rates) in the Post Office today.

[alicia-w]

i have an emergency stash but prefer to use the debit or credit card.

[abajan]

I always thought that using cash or debit cards was was better than credit cards. However, a business course partially dealing with money management which I recently took advised differently. The tutor said credit cards are usually the best option, provided they are paid off monthly.

[senorpepr]

I normally try to keep anywhere between $40-$100 for whatever comes up where I need cash. Usually, most of my store transactions are by debit card. I do have several thousand Philippine Pesos in my wallet, but that's left over from my last vacation and will be used on my upcoming trip.

[Janice]

Oh, yes, I forgot all those coins. We have been cruising for 10 years and I have brought home coins from foreign islands and countries. What to do with all those loose coins..... I will probably give them to a friends child someday for fun. They really don't add up to much.

[abajan]

Oh, yes, I forgot all those coins. We have been cruising for 10 years and I have brought home coins from foreign islands and countries. What to do with all those loose coins..... I will probably give them to a friends child someday for fun. They really don't add up to much.

If I were you, I'd keep at least one of each coin just in case they become a valuable collector item in 50 years or so.

Of course, strictly speaking, if I were you I'd do exactly what you would because I would, in fact, be you! But that's another matter.

[AussieMark]

I usually keep like 20-40 in my wallet and Debit Card for everything else.

[gtalum]

I always thought that using cash or debit cards was was better than credit cards. However, a business course partially dealing with money management which I recently took advised differently. The tutor said credit cards are usually the best option, provided they are paid off monthly.

For someone who is financially responsible, using credit cards for as much as possible makes good sense because of the rewards you can get which can be the equivalent of anywhere from 1-10% rebate on your purchases, depending on what rewards you get and how you use them. The important factor is to pay them off every single month, though, because paying even one month's interest will eliminate much or all of the reward benefits. On top of that, credit card debt is some bad stuff, designed to snare people for life.

[alicia-w]

Oh, yes, I forgot all those coins. We have been cruising for 10 years and I have brought home coins from foreign islands and countries. What to do with all those loose coins..... I will probably give them to a friends child someday for fun. They really don't add up to much.

they make excellent charm bracelets!