Credit Cards and Cash

[Krogen]

I had 3 calls while at the gun shop, but I didn't take them. They tried.

It was after the gas station when I was in line at Wendy's that I remembered and saw I had a voicemail from the bank.

The bank killed my card. I'll get a new one in 5 days.

When (not if) it happens again ask your card company to expedite the new card. I use cards for everything I can, so I'm what you might call "a good customer." Citi overnighted a new card to me the last few times it happened. I suppose they figure it's worth the cost to get me back in the game.

I do carry cash, but primarily use cards for two reasons. First the kickback. 2% and sometimes 5% may not seem like much, but when nearly everything goes on the card it adds up. Next, it makes it easy for me to track my expenditures. I use Quicken and log transactions under various categories. Cash has a way of slipping though my fingers uncategorized.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

A while back at a Las Cruces Gunshow I declined to take a check from this College Student.
Turned out he was a Lee, a wealthy NM ranching - mining family.
So I kept hearing, ‘Your the only guy I know who won’t take a check from the Lee Family.’

 

[tops]

I think that 100s are the same as 20s were a few years ago. It doesn't make sense to me to carry a big wad of 20s when a few 100s will do. If a store doesn't take 100s or cash they lose a sale because the store on the next corner will take them. Larry

 

[old bear]

I carry cash but was never a fan of one hundred dollar bill tucked away. I could be in a situation where it can not be broken. Then it’s useless.

C Notes are easy to hide, but not always the best way to go.
I keep one $20.00 in my bill-fold, then five (5) more hidden in the car. Been lucky and have never needed to.
Cash was king at onetime, but I'm not to sure if it still is.

 

[Targets Guy]

I use a cc whenever possible but do carry btw 10 and 200 in cash.

 

[wood714]

When (not if) it happens again ask your card company to expedite the new card. I use cards for everything I can, so I'm what you might call "a good customer." Citi overnighted a new card to me the last few times it happened. I suppose they figure it's worth the cost to get me back in the game.

I do carry cash, but primarily use cards for two reasons. First the kickback. 2% and sometimes 5% may not seem like much, but when nearly everything goes on the card it adds up. Next, it makes it easy for me to track my expenditures. I use Quicken and log transactions under various categories. Cash has a way of slipping though my fingers uncategorized.

I pay mine off every month, so I'm probably looked at as a bad customer.

I do like the cash back deals. I usually get at least $400 or so a year back. Not a lot, but I'll take it.

 

[ladder13]

Small bills here, 10’s and 20’s mostly with a Benji or three lurking nearby.

 

[Narragansett]

I am a cash local guy, although I do use a debit card on occasion to keep from having to replenish my pocket cash. I usually carry upwards of $1000. Something I am going to reduce to say 500. I do keep a lot of cash in my safe. I need to filter some of that into the bank in small increments so I do not look like a drug runner.

 

[rockquarry]

Except at gun shows, hundred dollar bills aren't nearly as useful as they once were because of the number of businesses that won't accept them. Smaller bills work much better these days for most purchases.

 

[llowry61]

Most card companies will overnight a card to you. It has nothing to do with value as a customer and everything to do with asking for it. Every time I have had a security issue where they shut down the card I had a new set of cards within 48 hours.

In each instance they said they would send a new card within 3-5 business days; I requested overnight, and they always agreed.

This is an inconvenience to you and a risk mitigation issue to them. The 10 bucks to overnight the card is a lot cheaper than the bogus charges.

 

[GypsmJim]

If I pay cash, that's what I pay.

If I use a credit card, I get cash back each month.

If I lose my wallet, my cash is gone. Any credit card use is reimbursed.

If I go to a gun show and the guy won't take a card, I didn't need the gun anyway. If I HAD the cash, I would probably have spent more than it was worth.

If my card gets hacked, I have another to get me though the day.

If the CC company wants to send me a new card in 3-5 days I insist on overnight delivery and they WILL comply.

Cash isn't king....it isn't cost effective.

The cash in my wallet is only to buy an ice cream cone at the local waterfront venue.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Around these here parts Mister Softee takes plastic.

 

[Kinman]

Being in a situation where I rarely need credit I have locks on everything. If I need to access my credit for any reason it is something I can plan to open the window for three days or so, otherwise we are in complete credit lock down. No debit cards, only two credit cards, one is my wife's business card has an instant use alert, mine has a low ($1500) limit, If I need to spend more I use check or cash.

 

[chief38]

I always carry cash with me - sometimes a Credit Card just won't cut it! I try to instill that on my Kids but it is something they just can't grasp (product of their generation I guess - certainly not from me) - I gave up. One day when they get in a jam, they'll figure out their old man wasn't just whistlin' Dixie!

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Was on an out of state trip a number of years ago. The Hotel accepted my card. The Card Company (not my bank) number comes up as spam, so they scraped my card! A two-week trip would have been a problem except for my wife's card. I have another card from a better card company now.

Pocket cash is normally 6 to 8 Benjiman's in a money clip. Never buy a cheap purchase with a 100. That uses all the available change. When filling up the full size pick-up it's usually $75+ When told in advance, NOBODY has turned me down yet!

During Covid shutdown. nobody went to the bank, so only Night Deposit Box drop off of cash. All the local businesses were giving me extras to pay with rolls of normal change! Not on gas, but get free pop or snack! My EDC kit in the truck includes 30 kinds of ammo, 4 packs of common batteries and a roll of quarters. It is the most accessed part of the kit! (First Aid is the least accessed!) Everybody thought I was nuts for having a magazine of ammo for every common caliber, until I have "A Little Extra" ammo for plinking or buying a new gun. If I have room, I think I'll bump it up to 2 rolls of quarters!

Ivan

 

[johngalt]

I just hope the rumored CBDC never happens.

 

[rwsmith]

In the 'Woke' town of Nexton.....

The town of Nexton was designed and built from the beginning as a haven of gentrification. We play trivia at one of the establishments there. There is a sign on the door. "This is a cash free facility". You can't pay for ANYTHING with cash. Since sometimes I just drink soda and my wife water, and you have to pull out the plastic for that. You CAN slip cash tips for the waitresses on the sly but it's frowned upon. Having to handle money is demonstrably low class.

 

[johngalt]

The town of Nexton was designed and built from the beginning as a haven of gentrification. We play trivia at one of the establishments there. There is a sign on the door. "This is a cash free facility". You can't pay for ANYTHING with cash. Since sometimes I just drink soda and my wife water, and you have to pull out the plastic for that. You CAN slip cash tips for the waitresses on the sly but it's frowned upon. Having to handle money is demonstrably low class.

If you try to pay cash and they refuse it, what happens when you thank them for the free meal?

 

[Ματθιας]

If I go to a gun show and the guy won't take a card, I didn't need the gun anyway. If I HAD the cash, I would probably have spent more than it was worth.
.

This makes no sense to me.

Umm, to be blunt, you don't know how to haggle, won't haggle or you must like to pay full price.

 

[coltle6920]

Cash isn't king....it isn't cost effective.

I can get into more trouble using my credit card than cash. I at least know where I stand when the cash runs out. Most people don't have the common sense or discipline you have.

I take out $1k cash each month from my checking. That covers all of my needs for the month. My credit card is basically my safety net in case I forget to put cash in my pocket when I go out. Otherwise I only use the card for big ticket items.

I've had people do odd jobs for me that like getting paid in cash. They have lives like us and that cash might be for gas to get to their next job. How they account for getting paid cash up front isn't any concern of mine.