Cash or Check.........

[ck1]

I think I'm gonna have to break down and get a check visa card thingy................every time I pay with a paper check the teller looks like they don't know what to do with it or it just holds up the line.....................and if I pay with cash like a twenty's, fifty's or even a hundred I get all small bills back ......payed for my lunch toady with a $50 bill and got all fives and ones back and the other day bought a coffee with a twenty and got all ones back, 18 of them and payed for gas with a hundred the other day and it took forever for the cashier too decide wether it was fake or not, asking me if I had anything else...........don't anybody carry big bills anymore or are they afraid of counterfeits?  or maybe I'm alone in paying with cash or a paper check................guess I'm just old fashion and like a paper trail to keep track of my money better, oh well were living in a plastic world i guess...............

[last426]

I pay for everything with a Discover card.  It costs nothing, in fact, pays money back.  I looked last night and I had something like 300.00 cash that I could use or get.  That is money that I would have never gotten.  Plus I download my charges into Quicken and list all the various expenses, like gas for my old gmc, new gmc, charger, and cbx.  At the end of the year all is in its spot -- and believe me, I am not the kind of guy to keep records, heck, I haven't tried to balance a check book in over 10 years.  Check out that gas guzzlin' hemi charger at www.marlia.com  Kim

[ck1]

Don't banks charge you a fee for using visa check cards? and some business charge you a fee also for using them?  I guess I will have to break down and go talk to my credit union

[Charger_Fan]

Don't banks charge you a fee for using visa check cards?

Mine doesn't...well, unless I bounce one, then they give me a good dry reaming.
Check cards are sure easier to use that writing checks. I probably use them or cash 50/50.

[CharlieCharger]

I got tired of getting looked at for writting checks..They all treat you like its gonna bounce..Check's are a pain in the ass anyway..Join the 21st   

[hemihead]

I use cash only.

[Troy]

The trick to debit-cards-with-the-Visa-logo is to always tell the cashier or gas pump that it's a credit card. There is a fee to the bank involved either way but the merchant pays the fees for credit cards whereas the card holder is responsible for any debit card fees. I worked for a grocery chain once and we were specifically trained to ask if the card was debit so the company could avoid the fee. The good part is that you can use them anywhere credit cards can be used but you can't spend more than what you have so it's like cash in that respect. I'm like last426 - I haven't tried to balance a check book in ten or more years. Online banking and accounting software that is aware of bank and credit accounts take care of the rest. The drawback to debit cards is that there is rarely any protection for fraud or theft so if someone spends all of your money you are usually liable. Credit cards have protection in place to cover these circumstances. In the absence of debit cards I always use cash. I never spend more than what I have that way. I don't carry large bills though because I've found that many places won't break them (they do regular drops to the safe these days) or the person behind the counter seems clueless. I've even had trouble with 20s at some places (it's the most commonly counterfeited bill).

I only write checks for monthly bills that have no other payment options. Almost every bill I have is direct withdrawal so I don't forget. All of my paychecks are direct deposit so I don't have to waste gas or time going to the bank.

Troy

[BB1]

I have never balanced my check book,... buttttt it doesn't matter anyway!!   

[Silver R/T]

I pay for most of the stuff with cash

[Dodge Don]

Paying cash, check or using debit is financially unsound.

As long as you are financially responsible you should use a credit card. You get to use someone elses money while yours hopefully sits in an interest bearing account, you pay it off at the end of the month, there are no fees, you get reward points, you have zero liability, you have chargeback protection....etc.

[19Charger68]

We do the same thing as Last426.  We pay for virtually everything with Discover, pay it off each month so there is no interest charged and at the end of the year we usually have about $600 in cashback money.  Another plus, you don't have to write but one check each month if you have utilities, insurance, etc. automatically withdraw from your Discover account.  Saves on time, stamps, envelopes, etc. and you don't have to worry about your payment being late.

[Back N Black]

I use a Mosaik Mastercard which gives you one air mile for every $20 that you spend,plus show you Airmiles card and collect more points on the same purchase.At the end of the year at vacation time I have enough air miles to fly my family to where ever we decide to go.

[Mean 318]

SO far I have paid for everything in cash except the work I had done to my motor - loan -, bought both my cars and truck in cash. I will be the first to say what a mistake that was! I have applied to get cards to help raise my credit and it is like pulling teeth! I took out a loan for 5000 last fall, and so far paid 1800 off over 6 months, but that still isn't enough to build credit! Get a card and pay it off every month!

[dodgecharger-fan]

I don't really know how to write out a cheque...    I really have to think about what goes where..

Cards and cash for me.

[ck1]

I have good credit, mom was a manager many year for a major bank chain, she taught me about getting good credit, bought my first brand new truck at 18 when I graduated high school made payments and payed it off, a credit card since I was able to work if I remember right, always paid it off at end of month but was told that it was OK to carry over some big debt for a little while to prove you could pay off a large debt over a period of time.  bought my first and only house when I was 24.  make all major purchases off credit card, computer, frig, washer Durer, etc. bought my 2003 truck and credit score was the highest you could have so credit not a problem,  just use checks to pay for bills and grocery's.....................sooooooo since it seems there is a little bit of a chance of losing money through identity theft maybe through debit card for money in checking not protected I'll will just stick to what I'm doing, but still will talk to the credit union when I can.....................

[Dodge Don]

I use a Mosaik Mastercard which gives you one air mile for every $20 that you spend,plus show you Airmiles card and collect more points on the same purchase.At the end of the year at vacation time I have enough air miles to fly my family to where ever we decide to go.

I use the Canadian Tire MasterCard (no fee!!). I use it for everything, be it $1 or $25,000.....racked enough points in 6 months and got a set of Radial T/A tires from them for free. Being a car guy that works best for me. Women prefer the Presidents Choice MasterCard (another no fee)....same deal except you redeem at the checkout for free groceries. The new Citibank Petro-Points MasterCard with PayPass is hot now too.

[Back N Black]

I use a Mosaik Mastercard which gives you one air mile for every $20 that you spend,plus show you Airmiles card and collect more points on the same purchase.At the end of the year at vacation time I have enough air miles to fly my family to where ever we decide to go.

I use the Canadian Tire MasterCard (no fee!!). I use it for everything, be it $1 or $25,000.....racked enough points in 6 months and got a set of Radial T/A tires from them for free. Being a car guy that works best for me. Women prefer the Presidents Choice MasterCard (another no fee)....same deal except you redeem at the checkout for free groceries. The new Citibank Petro-Points MasterCard with PayPass is hot now too.

Hey Don thats a good idea with the Canadian tire credit card, i have one but never think about using it.I just love Canadian tire money and my wife thinks I'm crazy when I'm occasionally counting to see how much i have saved.

[Dodge Don]

I use a Mosaik Mastercard which gives you one air mile for every $20 that you spend,plus show you Airmiles card and collect more points on the same purchase.At the end of the year at vacation time I have enough air miles to fly my family to where ever we decide to go.

I use the Canadian Tire MasterCard (no fee!!). I use it for everything, be it $1 or $25,000.....racked enough points in 6 months and got a set of Radial T/A tires from them for free. Being a car guy that works best for me. Women prefer the Presidents Choice MasterCard (another no fee)....same deal except you redeem at the checkout for free groceries. The new Citibank Petro-Points MasterCard with PayPass is hot now too.

Hey Don thats a good idea with the Canadian tire credit card, i have one but never think about using it.I just love Canadian tire money and my wife thinks I'm crazy when I'm occasionally counting to see how much i have saved.

You earn 1% on all purchases anywhere on the planet....I think more if in their stores. Plus you automatically get any coupon deals and cheaper gas at their gas bars. And you don't pay a fee for it.

[Shakey]

Being a car guy that works best for me.

Women prefer the Presidents Choice MasterCard (another no fee)....same deal except you redeem at the checkout for free groceries. 

I guess it's a win-win situation for you, unless of course your Wife makes you pay for your own groceries. 

[moparjohn]

I'm in retail and I am so sick of people using credit cards for small amounts! They come in and buy stuff for under $5.00 (1.76 yesterday) and think nothing of it.  We retailers pay 4% for each transaction and it hurts the bottom line, then we have to raise prices, then people bitch. Last year my company paid out more than 1/2 a million to take credit cards.  I have the "over $20.00 rule" myself.  If you don't have $5.00 in your pocket don't go out.  Just my 2 cents . AND on a different note-when I'm in the express lane why do I always get behind the person with 5 more items than allowed, they have coupons, use a card, and don't bag their items- what's express about that??

[69charger2002]

another Discovercard user here. i get over $1000 cash back every year. yes i use it a lot for everything.. but hey the statements are there, no balancing needed.. and it is beneficial for me to use getting money back to credit the account every so often. i'd never change that
trav

[68chrgrwife]

I personally don't carry cash.  I use my visa check card for everything.  That way I spend less money.  I have a tendency to spend more when I have cash then if I use my card...I guess the whole swipe the card, press all the dang buttons and show ID thing gets annoying.  It takes to long, so I don't want to use it..I buy nothing...cash..i jusst hand it to the person and wait for change.  But I can see why some people would be annoyed at big bills.....no one really pays with real cash (I think it will be obsolete in a few years).  As for paper checks..I have ones that I bought two years ago (maybe even three) and have not gotten through my free 50 checks!!  I just used two for the first time this year yesterday!! LOL  I love to pay bills online or by direct withdraw..with the price of stamps going up all the time what's the use?  I spend more on stamps than I do on bills sometimes.  Anyway just my 

[Dodge Don]

I'm in retail and I am so sick of people using credit cards for small amounts! They come in and buy stuff for under $5.00 (1.76 yesterday) and think nothing of it.  We retailers pay 4% for each transaction and it hurts the bottom line, then we have to raise prices, then people bitch. Last year my company paid out more than 1/2 a million to take credit cards.  I have the "over $20.00 rule" myself.  If you don't have $5.00 in your pocket don't go out.  Just my 2 cents . AND on a different note-when I'm in the express lane why do I always get behind the person with 5 more items than allowed, they have coupons, use a card, and don't bag their items- what's express about that??

If you are paying a 4% MDR then you are paying WAY too much. You need to get rates from several acquirers and negotiate a much lower rate. Typically you should be around 2% or lower unless you are high risk. The interchange rates for MasterCard are publicly available on their website http://www.mastercard.com/us/merchant/how_works/interchange_rates.html. Use that as a benchmark and negotiate a better rate....don't just take whatever rate they offer you.....at 4% you got raped.

[Shakey]

I also never carry any cash with the exception of the change in my ashtray in the car for the morning coffee or if I travel to the United States.  I always bring some US currency for trips that take me to out of the way places.

I use my personal credit card for my expenses rather than a company card and I collect all the rewards and when I book flights, rental cars, hotels and meals it adds up quickly.

I too was using the Mosaik Mastercard and collecting Air Miles, up until about a month ago.  When I tried to use them to book a vacation this summer for the family, we ended up with more black out dates than actual travel options.  They're still sitting there doing nothing.

I have switched to using my Aeroplan Visa which accumulates Air Canada / Star Alliance Aeroplan miles, which I also accumulate when I travel for business.  We booked the family vacation this summer with no hassles and still have about 600,000 Aeroplan miles for future trips.

I'm also the guy that will buy an orange juice and a muffin with my credit card.  As mentioned, it sure is easy to keep track off.  At the end of the month when the statement arrives, I check off what is mine and what is the companies and then submit my expenses.

I do like the idea of the Matercard Canadian Tire partnership but.....

[my69]

I'm in retail and I am so sick of people using credit cards for small amounts! They come in and buy stuff for under $5.00 (1.76 yesterday) and think nothing of it.  We retailers pay 4% for each transaction and it hurts the bottom line, then we have to raise prices, then people bitch. Last year my company paid out more than 1/2 a million to take credit cards.  I have the "over $20.00 rule" myself.  If you don't have $5.00 in your pocket don't go out.  Just my 2 cents . AND on a different note-when I'm in the express lane why do I always get behind the person with 5 more items than allowed, they have coupons, use a card, and don't bag their items- what's express about that??

I read this and I had to laugh    But I'm with CK1 I am "old fashion" I guess I use cash for mostly everything except for monthly bills!
I guess credit cards confuse me   To bad there is so much sin AND greed in this world of ours. 
Having a check book does suck. So Maybe there is a  better alternative?  

[Charger_Fan]

I'm in retail and I am so sick of people using credit cards for small amounts! They come in and buy stuff for under $5.00 (1.76 yesterday) and think nothing of it.  We retailers pay 4% for each transaction and it hurts the bottom line, then we have to raise prices, then people bitch. Last year my company paid out more than 1/2 a million to take credit cards.  I have the "over $20.00 rule" myself.  If you don't have $5.00 in your pocket don't go out.  Just my 2 cents . AND on a different note-when I'm in the express lane why do I always get behind the person with 5 more items than allowed, they have coupons, use a card, and don't bag their items- what's express about that??

Out of curiosity, do retailers get charged for debit card use? I would imagine a debit card would pretty much be on the same basis as a check, but maybe I'm wrong?


On the credit card note, I haven't had one for over 4 years & I haven't missed them one bit...ok, once when I wanted to rent a car a couple years ago, THAT has been the only time I've wished I had a credit card. Otherwise, they're just a menace.

[ck1]

I'm in retail and I am so sick of people using credit cards for small amounts! They come in and buy stuff for under $5.00 (1.76 yesterday) and think nothing of it.  We retailers pay 4% for each transaction and it hurts the bottom line, then we have to raise prices, then people bitch. Last year my company paid out more than 1/2 a million to take credit cards.  I have the "over $20.00 rule" myself.  If you don't have $5.00 in your pocket don't go out.  Just my 2 cents . AND on a different note-when I'm in the express lane why do I always get behind the person with 5 more items than allowed, they have coupons, use a card, and don't bag their items- what's express about that??

Out of curiosity, do retailers get charged for debit card use? I would imagine a debit card would pretty much be on the same basis as a check, but maybe I'm wrong?


On the credit card note, I haven't had one for over 4 years & I haven't missed them one bit...OK, once when I wanted to rent a car a couple years ago, THAT has been the only time I've wished I had a credit card. Otherwise, they're just a menace.

i disagree,i wouldn't have been able to buy allot of things I own today with out building a good credit, one credit card is enough, but if you can't be responsible and pay it off then there not for you. you can get your self really screwed if you want something like a house or a new car or something very expensive that you can't pay for with cash at once.  My new truck I bought in 2003 had no interest and life time oil changes for $24,000 and I didn't put any money down for why use my money which could be in the bank earning interset.   I guess I just don't understand, must be the way I was raised that one credit card is enough, buy something with it and pay it off, don't live off the dam card unless you can pay it off, and it really helps to have the cash in your savings to pay off a big credit card debt so you can Carry over a big dept a few months, this really helps for the banks and creditors can see you can have a big debt and pay it off.  If I want I can go into any car dealer and buy almost any car I want and I'm not rich but my credit is good.  when I bought my house I closed the deal in less then a month with my credit. I can't say enough about have good credit it is very important i think.......... there is such a thing as a healthy debt.....

[Charger_Fan]

On the credit card note, I haven't had one for over 4 years & I haven't missed them one bit...OK, once when I wanted to rent a car a couple years ago, THAT has been the only time I've wished I had a credit card. Otherwise, they're just a menace.

i disagree,i wouldn't have been able to buy allot of things I own today with out building a good credit, one credit card is enough, but if you can't be responsible and pay it off then there not for you. you can get your self really screwed if you want something like a house or a new car or something very expensive that you can't pay for with cash at once.  My new truck I bought in 2003 had no interest and life time oil changes for $24,000 and I didn't put any money down for why use my money which could be in the bank earning interset.   I guess I just don't understand, must be the way I was raised that one credit card is enough, buy something with it and pay it off, don't live off the dam card unless you can pay it off, and it really helps to have the cash in your savings to pay off a big credit card debt so you can Carry over a big dept a few months, this really helps for the banks and creditors can see you can have a big debt and pay it off.  If I want I can go into any car dealer and buy almost any car I want and I'm not rich but my credit is good.  when I bought my house I closed the deal in less then a month with my credit. I can't say enough about have good credit it is very important i think.......... there is such a thing as a healthy debt.....

Credit cards aren't the only means of building credit. I have had cards in the past & found them to be an overall menace...I suppose to each his own, in that regard.
I was able to build & buy my house in '98, using my credit (squeaked by). A few years later, I found myself in trouble with multi credit cards, medical costs & even the damned IRS. I took out a 2nd mortgage, paid off (& cut up) all the cards, paid the damned IRS, sold 3 cars & brought myself current with the remaining bills. I hacked away at the bills & as of last October, the only bills the mailman brings me are my 1st & 2nd mortgages, one small bill, car insurance & utilities. That's it.

When I finish paying off the 2nd mortgage, I'm gonna save that monthly payment (& more) to restore my Charger & my truck. I don't need credit cards, I'm doing fine without them & don't mind waiting a little longer to buy things I may need, or even to restore my Charger...hell, I've had it since '86, a little while longer ain't gonna kill me.

Healthy debt? I think having zero debt is the most healthy & I hope to actually see zero debt before I'm at retirement age.

[68isgr8]

I'm one the suckers that spend too much money when having a plastic card in my hand. I prefer writing out checks or using cash, but a lot of places anymore doens't accept checks or they'll run it through like a debit. I only use my debit card in cases where companys don't except anything else.

[Dodge Don]

I'm in retail and I am so sick of people using credit cards for small amounts! They come in and buy stuff for under $5.00 (1.76 yesterday) and think nothing of it.  We retailers pay 4% for each transaction and it hurts the bottom line, then we have to raise prices, then people bitch. Last year my company paid out more than 1/2 a million to take credit cards.  I have the "over $20.00 rule" myself.  If you don't have $5.00 in your pocket don't go out.  Just my 2 cents . AND on a different note-when I'm in the express lane why do I always get behind the person with 5 more items than allowed, they have coupons, use a card, and don't bag their items- what's express about that??

Out of curiosity, do retailers get charged for debit card use? I would imagine a debit card would pretty much be on the same basis as a check, but maybe I'm wrong?


On the credit card note, I haven't had one for over 4 years & I haven't missed them one bit...ok, once when I wanted to rent a car a couple years ago, THAT has been the only time I've wished I had a credit card. Otherwise, they're just a menace.

Yes they get charged for debit. They also get charged for checks and cash....nothing is free.