I was curious how many here actually carry cash anymore. I know quite a few people who haven't carried cash in therir wallet for a long time. So, do you use cash? Credit/debit cards? A mix of both?

I realize that one can't pay "cash" over the internet, but when you shop for groceries or other such sundries, which do you prefer, or use?

Ha, what an odd question. I use both. I try to keep my credit card use to a minimum because everybody is going to get their numbers stolen at some point or other. I carry $500 + in cash (300 in fifties and 200 in twenties) and use that for everyday stuff. If I plan to spend more, up to $1,000, I just carry more. For big ticket things, I use a credit card or write a check. I have to call the credit card company for stuff over $1,500. So, I use mostly cash. That has the advantage of putting a check on how much you are spending, rather than mindlessly swiping a card and worrying about it later. For utilities, insurance and stuff like that, I use direct withdrawal from the bank.

I prefer using cash. Makes transactions simple. Though when I just so happen to not have cash on me, I use the card. Sometimes when I'm lazy I'll just use the card anyway even when I have cash.

I generally prefer cash when paying in person, even though that's not very often as I seldom venture out. It can be a bit fiddly if it's something where I ideally need the exact amount, though.

Card for almost everything, but I carry two hundred in cash just in case and I pay in cash for minor purchases, like a sandwich or a bottle of water.

For small purchases I generally use cash. For large purchases I generally use cards.

I generally use cash. Something I learned young was that seeing the money in my hand and watching it go to another's really set in stone how much I was spending.

Lots of transactions are done through my bank, though. My rent is an autopay set up. I pay my utilites through the net. I don't have a credit card, but use a debit card instead. I don't ever want another credit card ever again. It took my ex and I a long while to get out from our shared cards before we diovorced.

I was just curious because I was reminiscing and about 20 years ago, my friend was talking about never carrying cash on him. His wallet had quite a few credit cards in it. He used them correctly, though, never overspending and paid off all balances each and every month. I hope that helps explain my strange poll

That's an expensive sandwich! You must be a customer of the Endangered Creatures Delicatessen.

I pay my internet and electronic bills online directly from my bank account.


I use cash 99% of the time for local purchases, unless I forgot to hit the bank beforehand. Debit otherwise.


Debit for online purchases which I don't do too often.


My friend kindly puts things on her credit card for me, as I do not have one. Like my recent cell phone contract. I payed the $50+tax cash the same day for the phone and pay her the monthly fee in cash.


I'm not a "conspiracy nut", but I like cash as it's not trackable. No "Google types" monitoring my every purchase... Spamming me with ads at a later date based on my purchase habits.

Immediately thought of http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/eats/2-000-pizza-article-1.2928811.

Don't have a credit or debit card. Once in a blue moon I'll get a family member to get me something off the internet and give them the cash.

Usually cash, parents taught me it's easier to overspend and buy expensive stuff with a card because you physically don't have to count the dollar bills if that makes sense. Of course online purchases are with a card, so it's just a mix.

IMO the "count the bills" strategy would make sense only if I kept my entire salary in my wallet and watched it dwindle as the month went by - which I'd never do because it's not only inconvenient, but also unnecessarily risky. Otherwise my spending habits are the same regardless of the payment method. Whether I use cash or card, I don't have my account balance in front of my eyes, so what's the difference?

I only use a debit card. I always know exactly how much money I have because A) I made a very detailed budget on excel for my wife and I including everything from bills to eating out to spending money, so that's a non issue. And I have an app on my phone routed to my bank giving me up to date info on my accounts. It's pretty simple.


Haven't used cash in a decade. Direct deposit and debit cards are just so easy.

I can't remember when was the last time i paid for something with cash.

I mostly use debit cards unless cash is the only option.

Credit all day long! I don't carry cash anymore. Hell, with bitcoin's prevalence, I've been using that in lieu of credit where applicable.

Not really concerned about ID theft since I check my balances daily, and only have one card worth using. 5% cash back, so I get usually $50 back a month. Since I pay off the balance bi-weekly, never had an interest charge in a couple decades.

The hell kind of credit card is that?

Cash for regular purchases, debit card for purchases greater than $100, checks for paying bills, and cowry shells for trading in oxen and blocks of salt.

I use both. I like to hace cash just in case I can't find an ATM or if the card machine is down at a fast food place. And it does happen.

If you're a paying customer and you sit down at a restaurant and then they come out to you and tell you after the meal that the credit card machine is down so you have to use cash, and you don't have any cash, that's their fault, not yours

I tip the bartender or the pizza man with cash, so I carry at least a $20 on me -- everything else on card.

Usually card, most cash I had on hand in the last 12 months was $400 due to cashiers giving me cash refunds instead of back on my card.

That's really quite something. I bet it's incredibly horrible, though.

The thing about credit cards is interesting: they do seem to be quite keen for people to run up loads of debt. I was a bit taken aback when I applied for a card years ago and they immediately gave me ￡10,000 credit: I mean, seriously? It must really piss them off that I pay it off in full every month. I hasten to add that I'm neither rich nor especially fiscally competent... and maybe that's my explanation right there.

Credit cards are a horrible idea all around. They encourage impulse purchases and are a basket of financial pitfalls. I was thinking more about debit cards, which draw only from the money you actually have (there's also the overdraft I guess, but it isn't even necessarily always enabled).