Thursday, May 1, 2014

Reasons Why I Don't Carry Cash

Doesn't cold hard cash in your hands feel amazing?




While I agree, there's something about carrying cash that makes me want to spend it. I have a fear about having "loose bills" around because I once lost my wallet with $300 the eve of a Vegas vacation (this is a hot mess 22 year-old story) and I have post traumatic anxiety about it still. 

But we're not here to tell that story - we're here to talk about why I don't carry cash with me and stick to the plastic every chance that I can.

Here are just a few of my reasons!

+ Girl Scout Cookies

One effective way to avoid buying girl scout cookies is to not have cash on you. 

The less effective way is when they're in your office and you have to act quick to make sure you get one before they're gone.

+ Costco Food Court

For as much as I go to Costco (hello, dating scene) there's good reason that I don't want cash on me - that damn food court. You have no idea how tempting that swirled fro-yo is to me even though I don't do dairy anymore - especially in the summer when I see every single person carting their haul out to their car while they try to eat the amazingness before it melts. I want to put a picture in here to show you but I'm afraid it's going to give me nightmares. 

+ Credit Card Rewards Points

Did you know that you can make money by spending money? My "spending account" gives me 1% cash back on ALL purchases and each quarter there's specific categories / companies that give you 5% back on your spending during those three months. I get so excited when I see what's there for me to deposit into my account - it's like getting free coffee.  

+ I'm a Nerd

I'm KIND of an analytics nerd and I KIND of like spreadsheets. So, since it's much easier to export a transaction report online than it is to journal out my spending. Probably once a month I pull a report to see how much I'm spending on gas, groceries, entertainment, etc and it's a way to help me budget. 

It's also a tip-off that I need to find a guy who will pay for my foods/drinks (please).

The only times I do carry cash?

- When I owe a friend some doll hairs.
- For mani/pedi's (because my neighborhood place is cash only)
- When I get my hair cut I take cash to tip my stylist - karma, guys.
- For the farmer's markets in the summer!
- Sports betting and other shenanigans related to betting with friends.

How about you? Cash or Credit?

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35 comments

Anonymous said...

I don't carry cash either and the one time I did, my wallet got stolen with about $200-300 in it :(

But living in Vancouver, we have a lot of Asian stores (and an entire city of Asian stores) that only accept cash only, so whenever I do stop by one of those stores (haircuts, grocery shopping, restaurants), I usually just carry a $20 bill. Otherwise, it's pretty rare for me to use cash.

Kathy@MoreCoffeeLessTalky said...

credit all the way. i have a few bucks for things like coffee etc but i put everything on plastic. if i'm going to pay for something, i want benefits back in the form of points so i can use that too.

-kathy
Vodka and Soda

Kait said...

but YOU KNOW, that when checking out at costco you can buy anything at the food court with your debit card and then just take your receipt to the counter... it's how Andrew and i always used to buy pizza :(

Amy's Fashion Blog said...

I carry both. Mainly because if you get a ticket in Germany you have to pay it right there on the spot. Also something the credit card machine are down. I do carry more Euro then I do US money on me.

Lynn | Motherhood in Motion said...

credit, I only have cash when I get it from friends or my mom sends me a couple for my bday, yeah she still does that!

JMO said...

agreed- never have it

BLovedBoston said...

I like to carry at least $20 in cash on me for emergencies...like cab fare or not wanting to put a .99 gum purchase on my card lol!! But i totally agree that reward points are the absolute best and you just reminded me I have some to cash in!!

Amanda - Voyage of the MeeMee said...

Word on the street is that GS now accepts credit cards!!!! I shit you not!
I neverrrr have cash on me, but that's mainly b/c I do direct deposit, don't have a debit card, and I'm too lazy to get cash from the bank. :)

P!nky said...

I never carry cash either. I've tried to, but I forget to take cash out at the beginning of the week.

And it's easier to say no to things when i don't have cash too.!

Ashley said...

I never carry cash on me either! I hated it around girl scout season.. if they were smart they’d start accepting cards!

lil desiqua said...

I'm so torn on the cash vs. credit question! I agree that it's so much easier to track spending when using credit/debit, but I worse at using a card than carrying cash because since I don't see the money leaving my account, I forget. I've tried using an "envelope system," where you put money in an envelope for specific things (like say groceries or entertainment) and once it's gone, that's it. But once it's gone I just revert back to my card lol. What cc do you use? I need to get on one that gives me some cash back!

MakeMeUpMia said...

I feel ya! If I have cash it's easier for me to spend, I just keep $10-$20 on me sometimes for lunch or coffee every once in a while. I am a big fan of credit card rewards too! As long as someone is SMART with cards, pays it off each month and doesn't overspend, it's awesome to get so many points. We use our discover rewards on Amazon for our vitamins and Quest bars :)

Unknown said...

About half and half. I'm a sucker for online shopping, so I have to keep some stuff in the bank so I can splurge there. But I'm the opposite way, if I have cash in my wallet, I'm more reluctant to spend it. I don't know, I think it's worse physically handing someone dollar bills rather than swiping a card.

Wine and Summer said...

I never, ever have cash on me! Mainly because it doesn't feel like real money to me and I spend it like monopoly money. I only count the money that is in my back account as what I have.

Pamela {Sequins and Sea Breezes} said...

I NEVER carry cash either! Usually because it makes it super easy to not worry about if I have enough for something and it keeps me from making splurge cheap food purchases that I wouldn't want to use a credit card on! Our Girl Scouts here aren't deterred when you tell them you don't have any cash! It kills me!

<3, Pamela
sequinsandseabreezes.blogspot.com

Tracey said...

I'm the same. I never carry cash unless I owe someone $ or I'm going to a bar.

Kristen said...

i hate carrying cash, and the #1 reason is because i absolutely spend it. bad idea.

Helene in Between said...

I am with you, credit card rewards are what's up!! and i always spend too much money when i carry cash!

brooke lyn said...

do you use mint.com or are you extra nerdy and make your own excels?

Melissa Nicole said...

i use mint.com and i hate having cash on me. i WILL spend it.

Lora Ashley said...

Yep I never carry cash. I just spend it faster. It's safer for me and my bank account that I just do NOT carry cash.

Amanda Elizabeth - Meet @ the Barre said...

Ummmm maybe I shouldn't tell you this but I'm going to because Mark ruined me by telling me this. When you check out at Costco you can tell them to add whatever food you want to your purchase and then you take the receipt over to the food court......I get ice cream like every time (well when I actually go). It's mind blowing I know. I never carry cash because I spend it like it's hot!

Nadine said...

I never carry cash either. I always feel like I spend it much faster that way. I like to be surprised when I check my bank account and realize I have no money left...lol.

Kenzie Smith said...

I try not to carry cash, but when I do I don't spend as much because I hate breaking larger bills. It really depends for me..

Unknown said...

I love carrying cash because I never spend my change and I love collecting it up, counting it, and turning it in as if it is surprise free money I never had before. HA!

justmeng said...

Your Mama doesn't carry cash either, that's what Dad's for ... Plus the Airline Miles come in handy!

henning love said...

see i don't carry cash either especially to the costco food court of all places and at that point if i don't have it i really can be bothered to find an ATM so no need to spend money on a really ridiculously yummy pizza

Kay R. said...

I never ever carry cash! Like ever! Only cards. Problem is when I actually do need cash ... I have to force my self to run to the ATM!

Lauren said...

I never have cash! Luckily there is an ATM for my bank right by the farmer's market. Not having it helps me avoid temptation when there are bake sales at the school (which is pretty much all the time). I also spend it like crazy so yeah, it's better that it isn't around!

Chloe said...

I carry cash because of my job. It's just habit. I'm to quick to whip out my card and use it. I'm the complete opposite!

MacKensie said...

Teach me how to budget? Help me, I'm poor.. :(

Katie Elizabeth said...

I literally NEVER carry cash. #1 because I'll spend it all and #2 when the homeless people ask me for money on the street, I can honestly say I don't have any on me, ha!

Lexalicious said...

credit all the way! if i have cash on me, you bet your bottom dollar (or mine) that it will be spent at the nearest possible starbucks. free coffee at work, home and lobby? yeah I should probably go spend $5 on a latte... -__-

Katie Qué said...

I basically use my credit card for everything (and then I pay it off at the end of the month) because I'm obsessed with the points.

However, there have been a number of studies that show it's actually harder for people to spend cash, psychologically. It's much easier to swipe your card and not actually see that physical transaction of money. So, if you're trying to stay on a budget, allotting yourself an amount each month and only using cash is actually a good idea.

P.S. the Girl Scouts in Boston are savvy and have portable credit card machines.

Janna Renee said...

This is exactly how I am!! Cash is only or specific purchases. Other than that, I want my reward points!