I love carrying cash around.

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When there's no cash discount and I get a minimum of 2% cash back on all my credit card transactions, I'd be throwing money away paying cash. As long as you pay off your balances in full every cycle, it's great.

Cash only gets spent when credit card fees exceed the cashback bonus or for things like tips when charging isn't feasible. I guess if you wanted to keep some anonymity about a transaction, cash would be favored there, too.

Debit cards are the worst, though. Credit holds tying up your cash balance can cause major problems.

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ONROSREPUS@reddit

Same. I don't even have a debit card. I have one credit card. I use cash 90% of the time. If the place I am going doesn't take cash, I will go else where.

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mattyb1127@reddit

So if you don't have a debit card you have to go to your bank every time you need cash? Seems inconvenient.

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ONROSREPUS@reddit

I have other reasons to go to the bank bi weekly anyhow. Not inconvenient for me.

For me, any time I can get a discount or save money by using cash it would be worth a bit of inconvenience anyhow. The gas station if regularly fill at give you a 10c off per gallon if paid with cash.

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mmurphy5221@reddit

Yea but can we do away with "change"?

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More_Law6245@reddit

My wife despises coin change, because I empty my pocket and leave it all around the house an it drives her spare because I actually hate it more than she does.

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VegasBjorne1@reddit

Throw it into a wide-mouth plastic snack container, and use the money as a fund to replace major appliances. CoinStar will issue no fee, e-coupons to Lowe’s or Home Depot, but I think the limit is around $700.

I have several times taken the wide mouth plastic jars to my local grocery store using a shopping cart, and dumped them into a CoinStar machine. I paid for new carpet, clothes dryer, washing machine and kitchen refrigerator with change over the years from either Lowe’s or Home Depot.

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VegasBjorne1@reddit

I don’t leave the house with anything less than $200 in cash. Not a chance in Hell will I use either my debit or credit card on a janky card reader in a convenience store or gas station.

My cards have never been hacked either.

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Dry_Possession_4776@reddit

Cash is king OP! I do the same thing.

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HonestCompote3495@reddit

I grew up pretty darned poor and I'm not a Rockefeller now, so having a little cash on hand always makes me feel safe. Even if it's just 30 or so- I know I can get something to eat or put some gas in the tank.

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Joe12608@reddit

When I was starting out in sales back in the 70's my dad gave me a $100 bill. He told me to tuck it into my wallet so I would have it if a client needed to be wined and dined. I always have cash to this day.

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Polycpl45@reddit

I agree, it’s so much easier to get a “massage” whenever I feel like it.😈

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Blankbetty11@reddit

I’m more careful with my money if I have to fork over dead presidents but I still use cards for most everything. I do keep some small bills for tipping and if I stumble into one of those $5 card minimum situations. Sometimes I give panhandlers a few dollars, too.

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

I feel the same way--I'm always 100x more conscious about buying something... impulse buys when i'm out at a farmers market or something are limited to what I have in my pocket... and then I won't spend if I'm saving for something else.

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Blankbetty11@reddit

Right, I can afford to spend $6 dollars on lemonade but do I really want to? And then I want another one but it’s really draining my wallet..

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PhonedZero@reddit

I have a money clip and usually carry no less than $100 in cash at all times. Comes in handy for unexpected tolls or other incedentals or times when an electronic payment option is not available.

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shelbygeorge29@reddit

Where the the tarnation do you pay tols with cash?

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ButterflyStock1791@reddit

Maine still has cash only lanes. But yeah, most places we've driven lately are either easy pass or pay by plate.

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Unique_Marsupial5550@reddit

Upvote for use of "tarnation." Lol!

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WendySteeplechase@reddit

Me too. And no I don't care if the Starbucks line hates me because I've made a GenZer's brain explode by making them do addition. Or if the waitress rolls her eyes because she has to come back to the table with change. I will carry around wads of crumpled bills and fistfulls of coins for as long as its legal tender.

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

yeah -- i've definitely been that guy who was the first person to pay with cash in a while and they have to open the rolls of pennies and stuff... i was a cashier in high school and it was no big deal...

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WendySteeplechase@reddit

LOL I also have about $600 in rolled coins in my closet

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The_Man_in_Black_19@reddit

Cash is King. My Fidelity CC is Queen (2% back). Debit Card is to be used as a last resort. LASSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTTTT.

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

I do use my costco credit card whenever I do need to cc sometihng.

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The_Man_in_Black_19@reddit

I love Costco. They would have been my next choice if it wasn't for Fidelity.

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acecoffeeco@reddit

it also is voting with your dollars. not using credit or debit card keeps money worth more. every dollar you spend makes the processors or CC companies 2-4% for nothing. my old studio was in chinatown where everything was cash only, made me start carrying cash again.

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

Just seeing 2-4% for literally doing nothing and then selling the data on the backend makes me sick

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acecoffeeco@reddit

Devalues the money too. Every dollar instantly has 2-4% less spending power when you swipe or tap. I really only use card at gas pump or when I can use debit with no processing fee.

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domesticatedprimate@reddit

Hey man any chance you could share your GPS location? For, you know, reasons.

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

Sure: Latitude: 35.777412 | Longitude: 51.476977

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domesticatedprimate@reddit

Ah, Tehran is not a place I am likely to visit any time soon.

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ONROSREPUS@reddit

How big it this wad? I am asking for insurance reasons...

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Blrfl@reddit

I took out a few hundred dollars at an ATM in December, 2019 and am down to the last $60. Don't use it much, obviously, but sometimes you need it.

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

jeez! those bills are so old they might be worth something! lol

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Blrfl@reddit

With inflation, they're worth less than when I withdrew them.

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SnooBooks5315@reddit

We have been getting a discount on rent for 15 years by paying cash. It's easy for us as it's our biggest expense & I can just take the money out & it's here whenever the landlord shows up, which is sometimes a month late. The discount makes it totally worth it.

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itsmebrian@reddit

That is strange that the landlord prefers cash. EFTs and checks are free (most banks will send a check on your behalf). While you may trust your landlord, I never trusted mine. I want proof of payment.

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SnooBooks5315@reddit

I made him sign a receipt for the first several years. I always have him count it in front of me. It's been so long now I don't worry about but if he is out of the country & sends one of kids, I check their id & make them sign for it. 😂 His son was shocked the first time I asked for id, sorry dude I'm not giving away cash based on the word of someone I don't know. Now the landlord just waits till he gets back, he knows I will have. I haven't had any problems & it's worth the discount. I think it's only us & one other apartment that still has this deal. But I know for a fact I pay several hundred less then others for the exact same apartment, so it works for us.

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

As a taxpayer, sounds like he's trying to get a break on his taxes... collect x, put x-y in the bank... i'm just thinking about this because I'm about to write a check to the IRS tomorrow.

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SnooBooks5315@reddit

Nope, at least not on my rent. Because I'm disabled he annually signs a certificated letter showing my full rent amount & he knows it goes to the government. I need it to have Medicaid pay for some of my services, ie in home physical therapy, visiting nurse etc. they only cover part of it but I know the letter goes to the feds. I have occasionally thought he likes to hide the cash from his wife, he told me to never give it to her. To each their own, I know I report the real numbers.

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Smoking0311@reddit

That’s how our old landlord was with my friends and I 900 cash or 1200 for a check

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SnooBooks5315@reddit

Totally worth it

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Smoking0311@reddit

Absolutely

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BlondeJess19@reddit

Cash is definitely useful. I don’t want the whole digital world to know my spending habits. Big brother will find a way to use it against you at some point.

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Sea-Oven-7560@reddit

exactly. I may be a little on the paranoid side but I work in security and I know that every time you make a transaction with a credit card you are making a data point that about yourself that will be sold. Do I really want my health insurance to go up because they know I like ice cream or do I want my auto insurance to go up because I buy beer at a bar I don't walk to? We live in enough of a surveillance state there's no reason to help them narrow the focus. And...I leave my phone at home all the time, it must confuse them to no end.

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

I can't believe we allow this... I've been thinking about moving for a while--but I don't want to live like a mountain man or something... really discouraging where we are with all of this.

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Sea-Oven-7560@reddit

The good thing is people and local governments are waking up, the Feds are still terrified of pissing off big tech but the locals are getting pissed enough that they may not have a choice much longer. It's easier to try and change this shit than try to avoid it, everywhere has been infiltrated. Our only option is goat herder in Sardinia and my Italian is not very good.

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Monemvasia@reddit

I used to walk around with a Saint-Gaudens in my pocket. That coin made me feel so rich…no longer doing that!

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

I used to carry a morgan dollar around--a double eagle would be very stressful today--can't replace those for less than 5k

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jt5574@reddit

I make sure my daughter(21) has cash on her whenever she leaves to go back to school. Usually $100. She uses it as smaller stores around school or at the bar, as opposed to her debit card.

I try to pay cash for everything with my business. I usually use smaller suppliers or contractors. The discounts are nice and they aren’t paying CC fees.

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

I've been giving my kid cash when he needs it, even though he has a debit card we load with some money. It's good for them to manage it and safe keep it--if they lose it its gone!

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Fidrych76@reddit

Me too. Enjoy it while you can. The end is near. Several Asian countries are cash free already. It’s coming here too. It’s just a matter of time.

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

Yikes... yeah there are a couple of places that we can't use cash...

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Abpoe77@reddit

Antique shopping with my wife most weekends. I started bringing cash. Keep my budget under control and I just grab something if I want it. Ran into a really nice stereo receiver for a good price yesterday. Kind of pricey but I had it in my pocket so I bought it and another stash of vinyl and CDs

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

this is what i'm talking about also--there's no question if i can afford something i come across if I have the cash in my pocket that's meant to be spent on stuff.

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jrsixx@reddit

What receiver was it? I dig vintage audio gear.

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Abpoe77@reddit

I replaced a Kenwood KR 2600 with an Onkyo TX 8211. Had a bad buzz in the Kenwood with the phono preamp. Come to find out the turntable is the issue as I have buzz in the Onkyo too. I really like the vintage look of the Kenwood but having a remote with Onkyo is kind of nice.

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Affectionate-Map2583@reddit

I always have some cash. My favorite places to use it are for carryout or quick serve places, because when you pay in cash, there's no tip screen. I do sometimes feel bad for the kids at Jersey Mike's, because they have to take off their gloves to handle cash then put on new gloves. I guess it's my gift to the next customers that their sandwich maker has on fresh gloves.

My son works in construction and is paid cash. He prefers to use his debit card, so I take the cash and transfer money from my account to his.

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

I was at JM's the other day, waiting to be served... the guy about to make my sandwich was walking around on the phone, with his gloves, wiping his face... when it was my turn I just straight up asked him to put on new gloves... he gave me a weird look... but then did it...

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Shot_Cucumber3467@reddit

I prefer using cash whenever possible. Like the OP, it probably stems from when I was a kid and having a stack of cash (mostly $1s and $5s) after a week of delivering newspapers just felt good. Now the benefit of cash is that I don't have to tap "no tip" when paying for a coffee and donut.

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

exactly... so many stories about identity theft/added charges just for buying something for 5 bucks

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el_ojo_rojo@reddit

I love fighting back against the tips bullshit with my 17 cents of change dropped in their unworthy cup. Thanks for taking my useless shrapnel.

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kat2211@reddit

I'm a big fan of cash too. It's quick, easy, you never have to worry about your card not working (nor about your info falling into the wrong hands). And it's never a good idea to trust the banks with ALL of your money.

There's something extremely satisfying about it, too, just on a visceral level. I have a big old silver dish full of quarters that I'm looking at right now. They make me happy. (Which I have to admit might be a throwback to the days when I could take a quarter or two down to the corner store and come back with a whole bag of assorted candy.)

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

I regularly pull out cash just to make sure I have a certain amount at home in the safe. I've lived through a couple of hurricanes where power was out for a week pretty much everywhere, and cash was about the only thing you could use to get stuff, aside from the ransacked Walmart.

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JurisUrsus@reddit

I usually carry $50-$100 in my wallet. I love the idea of cash (and the anonymity), though I have a pretty good system with credit cards for points and cashback. Cash in my wallet often ends up being used for tips.

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

Yeah, exactly--Tipping valets has always paid off--a nice cash tip will make sure your car is parked right up front.

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Tondropper186@reddit

I always keep an emergency 100 stashed in my wallet and another in each vehicle. My wife and kids do the same. I also keep some cash (nothing too crazy) for emergencies in the house. 8 or 9 years ago we had a storm come through the area that somehow knocked out the ability for places to process cards for a day or so. And most homes were without power. Cash made a difference.

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

One of my neighbors literally keeps 10k hidden in his car someplace.

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PennyG@reddit

Same. Because I’m paranoid some fuckstain bank is going to fraud alert my card in an embarrassing situation

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

exactly

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jaynestown_mudder@reddit

I can Kick, stretch, and kick! I'm 50!!!
And I carry cash around too...

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

Sally, you just have to keep your cash in a zipped-up pocket during those kicks--I don't think the pants you wear will work though

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PMFSCV@reddit

It confuses the young uns

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Goodrun31@reddit

Don’t ever over pay to get even large bill change they definitely cannot understand.

Then if you try to talk them through it they get frustrated.

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

this is hilarious... I tried to do this one time (to get a five back) and they literally handed me the couple extra bucks and a few coins I handed them like they had no idea what I was doing -- then proceeded to give me back my change that their little machine told them to.

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PMFSCV@reddit

Soon to be, ancient silent gens, irritated Xers and paranoid youngsters using cash.

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smokythejoker@reddit

I have a Bad Mofo wallet with about $1500 in it at any given time. 😉

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

same!

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jwpilly@reddit

If you ever have to have honey bunny reach into a bag to get it, they’ll know the exact one to get.

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smokythejoker@reddit

Under the right circumstances, I might give it to you so I don’t have to kill you.

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GeoHog713@reddit

All I know is I'm a lot better looking with a C note in my pocket

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

damn straight!

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

Indeed...

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Abby-No@reddit

I pay more in cash these days to avoid having to pay the fees for using my credit cards, but secretly I enjoy the confused looks I get when I hand over cash , it’s like a glitch in the matrix and suddenly they have to think about it.

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

Haha -- they have to do the reach around and press the cancel button on their little tracking device... I love it...

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jaybirdjones72@reddit

I’m 54 and always have at least 100 in cash.

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2014ChevyCaptiva@reddit

We shop at a lot of smaller retailers who give a discount for using cash.

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Queasy_Barnacle1306@reddit

I carry $250 in 100’s and 50’s due to an issue I had while traveling for work about 12 years ago. Wife and I utilized one credit card and our card was locked down because we bought dinner in two different states at about the same time. I thought the gas pump card reader was bad so I went inside to pay and the clerk tried a few times, even wrapping the card in a plastic bag before swiping it, I have no idea what the thought process was behind that one. Ultimately I had to call the cc # and tell them where I ate and where the other meal was purchased. Luckily my son loved Gambino’s pizza so I had pretty good odds of guessing that one.

I was half way across the country and had something like $7 on me. Decided never again. Also got a spare card to use just for business.

I started with $100 bill stashed in my wallet but, inflation is real.

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

I've had the similar thing happen to me a few times and it's a real pain in the ass. I do use cards sometimes and it's great to have a backup in case something isn't working.

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2014ChevyCaptiva@reddit

We have had the same issue. What was weird the bank locked my wife’s card but not mine. While she was dealing with the hospital for her father, I called the bank to get her card unlocked. Even though we are both on the account and I had all of the information, including answers to her security questions and my security questions, they would not unlock the card until the spoke to her directly. Once she spoke to the she told them we were traveling for the next X days.

Used my card in four different states on that trip and it was never locked. Each time hers was used in a different state it was locked. Really weird.

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No-Elk-6200@reddit

Shit! $100? What do you do for a living?!?

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skeebawler4@reddit

Gonna say, I don't like carrying more than 50.

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EmotionalVegetable48@reddit

I love cash. I do what I can to spend cash at small businesses. They get 100% of what you render. Not 97%.

Plus if we stop spending cash, we will lose the ability to spend cash

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

Yes, I think the same thing. I love getting the cash discount at lots of small local shops around here.

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ctgjerts@reddit

been paying cash as much as possible to avoid the whole tipping thing since it's become a stupid requirement to select a button prior to paying.

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Front-Teacher-9161@reddit

300 min cash at all times. Front pocket no money clip. Visa debit and Visa credit from Chase. She'll and Chevron.

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frelancr@reddit

keeping $100 on your person in 2026 is the equivalent of always having that quarter in your shoe back in the day

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Strong_College_21@reddit

No shoe money No titty money!

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frelancr@reddit

well, not IN yer shoe- maybe in one of them nifty velcro wallets you can tie on the laces...

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ONROSREPUS@reddit

gif

Put a $100 in there now instead of a penny.

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accidentallyHelpful@reddit

one day, somebody's medical claim will be denied

after the insurance company bought their credit history and saw the daily purchase of tobacco and alcohol

Don't take your cc to the liquor store

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

Wow, what an insight... thanks for this.

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SashaFierce72@reddit

I use to carry cash when I was deep in my zero-based budgeting journey, it felt good holding my weekly expenses in the palm of my hand.

However, I grew increasingly frustrated when I had to go to the bank multiple times a month to transact business in this manner.

Now I use cards and get flight, hotel, and cash back rewards for spending what I already budget for. It’s definitely a win for me because I don’t carry any cc debt .

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MasterLowpiece@reddit

Dude...I never thought of that but can see this happening

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aetherhaze@reddit

r/ShitAmericansSay

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accidentallyHelpful@reddit

GnR song lyrics

Night Train

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SnooBooks5315@reddit

Do not take your cc to the dispensary! Most are cash only but many offer third party payment processors, atm or stuff like cash app. Just use cash, at least until federal law catches up

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icedyoga@reddit

Same!!

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iloveFjords@reddit

I prefer cash so the business I’m dealing with doesn’t have the credit card charge. I’m ok with forfeiting cash back/points. What I hate is dealing with the small change buildup. I tend to unload it as tips in restaurants and cafes. The more local the more likely I will pay in cash.

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Genn8130@reddit

I always have an emergency $20 with me. Feels good in my pocket.

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liquilife@reddit

I haven’t carried cash for the last 10 years or so. Hell, I don’t even use a physical card anymore. It’s all from my iPhone nowadays.

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CanadianExiled@reddit

During the pandemic nobody took cash. I lost the habit of carrying any. On Tue summer I usually have $50-$60 in my pocket for yard sales but use my cards for everything else.

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Simple_Egg7527@reddit

They all took cash when it was that or I walked away.

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CanadianExiled@reddit

Call me a sheep, I needed food. It was too late for me to plant my taco and pizza crops.

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Temporary_Way_9563@reddit

I like having cash on me for small purchases, tips and what not. I also keep a crisp $100 bill on me to bless someone at the end of the year for Christmas and or the New Year.

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W33CH0@reddit

I ususally have at least a $20 on me and I keep an emergency $20 in my truck. Enough to get me some food or gas if Im desperate, but not enough to worry about getting stolen.

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Adventurous-Egg-8818@reddit

Be careful doing that. Too many people out there that are up to no good.

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

I never pull it all out at once... I'll keep 100 in my wallet and the rest in a zipper pocket in my pants.

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W33CH0@reddit

And now WE know! Lol

gif

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EnjoyingTheRide-0606@reddit

I do too! I love paying service workers in cash and always leave cash tips.

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chimpyjnuts@reddit

I've always felt more comfortable having some cash on me. Younger folks at work (who pretty much do all plastic) would lightheartedly joke about 'old man cash' but then on a business trip we ended up at a cash only restaurant.

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

exactly... I hate the idea of risking my debit card number over a 5.00 drink or snack.

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BrainSqueezins@reddit

Funny story: went out to a happy hour a few weeks ago. Everyone had cash, which I was awfully proud of. We consolidated ahead of time, and a $50 was thrown in. The waitress had to recount it twice, because she’s so used to $20 bills.

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

yeah--plus with cash, you can just pay your part and not have to worry... when I only rolled with a credit card I can't tell you how many times my card was tossed into a group, and I ended up paying more.

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shittytvdirector@reddit

My various drug dealers don't take credit cards.

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

I'm positive there has to be some dealers out there that accept venmo... ahem... heard it from a friend...

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DameEmma@reddit

Ooooh look at Mr. fancy with his various drugs. Or Ms. Fancy as the case may be.

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Future_Inspector6645@reddit

I carry cash because it makes me feel like a gangster

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uncirculated_luster@reddit (OP)

Haha, I totally can relate... my kid always gives me this look when I pay for something big with cash.

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Ratatoskr_The_Wise@reddit

I’m in Chicago and the last guy I saw who had a wad of cash like that was a nightclub owner buying gas. (I asked him “what’s with all the cabbage?” and he laughed so hard that he told me.) Rock on with your bad self!

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nomad_805@reddit

I carry cash... in a briefcase. People think it's odd when I pay in crisp $100 bills.

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yurtfarmer@reddit

Don’t even count ‘em anymore , just weigh them

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formercotsachick@reddit

I primarily live a cashless existence. I don't think I've had so much as a dollar bill in my wallet for months. I keep a quarter for the Aldi cart and that's about it.

I use my credit card and get 1.5% cash back on all my purchases. Every year we get $800 in free money for using the card for payment. Pay the whole balance off every month and pay zero interest.

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SeattleSmartypants@reddit

“free money” lol

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formercotsachick@reddit

I mean, I use it to buy things I already would, like groceries, gas, etc. And I don't pay interest because I pay the bill down to zero every month. How is that not free money?

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SeattleSmartypants@reddit

There is no free lunch. Retailers must pass on the transaction costs onto consumers, you and everyone else pays more because of the credit card usage.

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formercotsachick@reddit

Well, at least I'm personally recouping some of that 🤷‍♀️

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HonestlyRespectful@reddit

Where I work we charge 3% on every card transaction. So, you're not making any "free" money off of us.

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formercotsachick@reddit

I don't use the card at places where there will be a surcharge. I'm talking grocery store, gas station, streaming subscriptions, etc. I write checks if there will be one, but that's only once or twice a year.

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Epicassion@reddit

Same, my wife will drop some money in my wallet on trips. Can be handy for tips. Then it sits in my wallet until next trip or if she's giving it to our granddaughter. I hate paying cash for anything.

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nmincone@reddit

Not me. All digital maybe $50 in pocket for mints and a haircut….

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Educational_Seat3201@reddit

I almost always have at least $300 on me. Just in case I need a half tank of gas.

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melty75@reddit

I don't usually have any on me unless I'm going to the golf course. Everything has tap now, it's more convenient for me. I've been to venues recently that didn't accept cash (Ford Field in Detroit). Everywhere, literally everywhere takes tap debit now, even the beverage cart on the golf course. I've seen someone paying at a restaurant with cash which made him have to wait until everyone else was handled because he was the only person paying with cash out of a group of eight and she needed to run back to make change for him, because he was carrying only 100s and 50s...

My Dad was big on cash, he had to be (no technology). My grandfather didn't use banks at all and never had a credit card, cash was king indeed. I don't consider myself to be evolving, just making use of technology. Tracking what I'm purchasing doesn't change anything for me, nor make me wary of tapping versus reaching into my pocket, opening my wallet and messing around with bills, which draws attention in its own right (Dad lesson in there). There are entire industries created to track what I purchase, when and how and why, which have been around long before debit cards. Tracking purchases, I'm not sure why you'd be worried unless you were Walter White or something.

Now, would I be draining my accounts in favour of cash if the shit hit the fan? Yes because tap doesn't do squat if the power or their network is down.

[-]

feralGenx@reddit

The reason why certain groups of people want to go to a cashless society. Is it makes you easier to track and control.

[-]

MommaGuy@reddit

My husband always has cash. Comes in handy when he’s at Home Depot or something and they announce the machines are down. He just walks past everyone. Always pays cash when we go out to eat too.

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NoAbbreviations290@reddit

This is the weirdest flex I’ve seen on the Interweb

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Mysterious-Entry-357@reddit

Really? THIS is the weirdest? Gotta tell ya, there's some pretty gnarly bragging just on Reddit.

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spider3407@reddit

I love cash, especially for small purchases or businesses. Credit cards charge large fees that cost the business money. Some places give a discount if you use cash. Cash is King and you're right breaking a teens brain is fun.

[-]

LVMom@reddit

I hate cash. I’ve recently withdrew $300 to pay for a day out and every time I touched it, I thought about how dirty it was and how many people had touched it prior to me. Those bills could have been in some stripper’s G string or used to snort Coke up somebody’s nose.

No thanks, I’ll use my easily sanitized bank card

[-]

jt5574@reddit

Do you use a cell phone? Most likely. It has around 10x more bacteria on it than your average toilet seat.

[-]

Tondropper186@reddit

I always ask for g-string bills and coke straw bills when I go to the bank. Reminds me of my youth

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Smoking0311@reddit

I pay cash at certain places and those places give me a discount when I pay cash sooooo I’m going to keep on carrying and paying in cash .

[-]

viewering@reddit

https://youtu.be/gxFGhQsaSwI?is=J3SINpQgM7_HUtj6

[-]

a13zz@reddit

gif

[-]

viewering@reddit

What happened to hip hop then ?

That's when it turned s h i t

Him and his silly voice ( and all the rest )

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OnehappyOwl44@reddit

I had started to be very card dependent and then the tipping culture in Canada went mad. Now I pay cash whenever I can to avoid the debit machine adding a 20% tip on a Subway sandwich. I usually have a hundred or so on me at all times. More if we're traveling. I go to the ATM weekly to restock. Watching the young teenagers struggle to make change is an added bonus.

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QuarrieMcQuarrie@reddit

I have £20 in my pocket that's been there for nearly a year 🤷‍♀️. Cash is just a hassle.

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abstractraj@reddit

Cash is kind of lame now. They even eliminated the penny. Soon enough we’ll be cashless

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OK_SmellYaLater@reddit

There will always be cash because there are far too many people that can't have bank accounts due to bad credit. My neighbor has to deal with cash and money orders because his credit is so bad.

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Poneke365@reddit

Sometimes I have cash but I’ve noticed more and more stores don’t take cash (I guess because it limits employee theft but more with being targeted for robbery).

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C-levelgeek@reddit

This reads like a pro-ignorance commercial

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OldSkooler1212@reddit

I haven’t take out cash since about March of 2020. The only thing I used cash for was a convenience store that was inside the government site I worked at. The owners of the small store preferred cash so I honored their wishes when I’d buy from them.

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peptide2@reddit

I remember going out for the night with 100 bucks in low denomination 1’s & 2’s and feeling like i had a knot of money in my pocjet pocket

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Cyborg59_2020@reddit

I don't even carry a dollar. I often don't even carry any credit cards. I pay for everything with my phone.

[-]

UseACoasterJeez@reddit

All of you that hate filthy coins, please send me your change jar if you have one, all I want are the pre-1964 dimes, quarters, & half dollars (pre-1982 pennies aren't worth the effort). I'll donate the rest to the charity of your choice

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Kindly-Might-1879@reddit

My parents saved those pre-1964 coins for decades and later gifted my about $400 worth of coins. At the time, the silver value of those coins was closing in on $10K!

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UseACoasterJeez@reddit

They're affectionately known as "junk silver" since they are 90% silver and 10% copper (for durability).

The Mint sized them so $1 face value of any of them contains the same amount of silver. Two quarters & five dimes is the same silver weigh as 10 dimes, etc.

They were a little heavier when new, but due to circulation wear the industry standard it to assume 0.715 troy ounces of silver per $1 face value. $1.40 face value gets you to essentially a full troy ounce (1.001ozt if you want to be super-technical)

Silver's about $76.60/ozt right now, so if you have a junk quarter, it's theoretically worth $13.85, and dimes are $5.54 each. But due to a bunch of factors right now, expect a coin shop to offer maybe 20% less. Still, ~$11 for what you thought was 25 cents is a nice little surprise!

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Kindly-Might-1879@reddit

I’ve never heard the “junk silver” term. Thanks so much for this cool info about the coin/silver weights!

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PlantMystic@reddit

Same. I use cash most of the time.

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Cinisajoy2@reddit

Lottery tickets and tips.

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liftguy111@reddit

I often buy used automotive equipment (for resale) so I usually have cash with me hidden in my truck somewhere. I always carry some 10 Billion Dollar bills from Zimbabwe (now worth about $.25) and hand them out as conversation starters.

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freddy_c_2@reddit

I didn't carry cash until my co-worker convinced me to have at least $20 on me "just in case". Well, "just in case" usually turns into just in case my wife asks if I have any cash on me. Which she does quite often to pay a tip or something.

My lawn guy doesn't take anything but cash. It's about the only time I go to the ATM. That and that "just in case" money my wife continuously liberates from my wallet.

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NeverEnoughGalbi@reddit

I spend less when I pay with cash, so I try to only use cash in the grocery store.

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bigblue2011@reddit

My daughter recently got me this sticker. She is 8.

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Lvrgsp@reddit

Love it

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Disastrous-Group3390@reddit

Never know when you might need a couple hundred to make things go the way you want. Lots of goods and services available to the person who has folding money.

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AppropriateDark5189@reddit

I don’t like cash anymore. I use my phone most of the time where I can. Then it’s cards. I have a very thin wallet but I still usually have a 100, 20, 10 and 5. Some ones most of the time too. If I’m working with a small biz like my barber or farmers market, I generally use cash.

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TheSwedishEagle@reddit

What's cash?

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secretincognitouser@reddit

It is a great anonymous way to pay for goods and services. Why should anyone know where , when and how much I spend?

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TheSwedishEagle@reddit

That's what bitcoin is for

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Ok-Crazy30@reddit

It’s a lot easier to get robbed for bitcoin then cash.

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TheSwedishEagle@reddit

For sure. People get mugged for bitcoin all the time. /s

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oh-pointy-bird@reddit

I have $20 in my wallet because I like paying 2% less for everything I buy…

And yes, I pay off my cards every month.

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Demostecles@reddit

Cash carrier and spender here as well.

Young people done get what instant cash can do during a sale and to the price of things.

They only buy things at a register, online or at an electronic POS.

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seansdude@reddit

I'm as old as you and never seen a price lowered because someone paid in cash. By our age, you should have good enough credit to get a card that gives cash back for purchases. Get paid to use your own money. This is the way.

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HonestlyRespectful@reddit

Where I work we charge a 3% fee for all cards. More and more places are doing this. It means it's cheaper to use cash. Price lowered. It's amazing to me how much money ppl waste every day bc they want to tap their phone or use a card. They're probably spending an extra $20-50 per month. My bosses are laughing all the way to the bank.

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seansdude@reddit

Point taken. That's a pretty steep fee for convenience. Your business must find it worthwhile. Usually, a proprietor will eat the card fees as opposed to losing a sale. Cash accounts for only 10% of global sales. Plus, counting dirty cash and making deposits at the bank is a serious PITA that many would rather skip.

[-]

Demostecles@reddit

I have a card that I use for flyer miles, a lot. Haven’t paid for plane tickets in a few decades. Pay the balance off every month.

I’m talking about buying used cars, trucks, boats, atvs, gold, silver, guns, ammunition. The list goes on.

If you know your prices and have cash there is a lot of money to be made.

Person to person private transactions are the best.

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seansdude@reddit

I agree that cash is king. Everyone takes cash. Not everyone can take a card. That said, if I have a choice I pay by card. $100 worth of gas (that's like a few gallons now, right? /s) costs a cash guy $100. It costs me $96 because i get 4% back on gas purchases.

Each has their place, right?

If your cash is lost or stolen, you're sad. If your card is stolen, the thief is sad. It gets cancelled and you don't owe a thing.

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dpl9598@reddit

Im the opposite. I despise cash.

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OldSkooler1212@reddit

I haven’t take out cash since about March of 2020. The only thing I used cash for was a convenience store that was inside the government site I worked at. The owners of the small store preferred cash so I honored their wishes when I’d buy from them.

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Natural-Pineapple886@reddit

When, in my twenties, and broke, I'd pack my wallet with Monopoly money just to have something in the wallet. It was a pretty good psychological boost for me.

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FI_321@reddit

I’m the opposite. I love charging everything. I haven’t been to an ATM in probably a decade. Reasons are credit card rewards and tracking. I love having the data of every dollar spent.

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mafuman@reddit

529 plan

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akmoney@reddit

Same here, especially when credit cards pay so much cash back and/or points. Yes, I know the cost of these rewards is baked into the cost of everything we buy, but I can either take the rewards or take no rewards. Retails never offer cash discounts.

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iamnobod@reddit

I carry cash and prefer to pay cash. However sometimes the late teens convenience store cleark looks at a 20 with absolute wonder. Forget about using a 100 you can literally see the brain implode on itself.

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Shark_Atl3201@reddit

Not me. Wish cash would just go away. Would be much easier.

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UrsaMajor7th@reddit

The easiest thing is for you to do is to keep on not using cash at all then; all you lose is the 10% discount at my fav Chinese food place.

It's simple to keep both. Each can use what they prefer.

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TollyVonTheDruth@reddit

I choose to not carry cash because a wad of cash is bulkier to carry than a couple of credit/debit cards in my wallet.

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Key-Contest-2879@reddit

Cash is King.

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GloryDaze91@reddit

I love cash on a visceral level, but it has many practical applications. It gives you bargaining power on person to person transactions and with small businesses. It's one way to keep from feeling tracked constantly. Lastly, think about how susceptible we all are to the electronic "off switch". Better yet, don't think about it!

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hapster85@reddit

I rarely have more than $40 on me. Use the credit card for pretty much everything. Use the points for flights.

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Limp_Ice_3248@reddit

Was coming here to say that. I use my points for the flight and my 'flight money' to upgrade to business class on longer flights. Because I'm worth it dammit!

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calledbycollections@reddit

Where do you walk around mostly? Just curious

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No_Hovercraft_821@reddit

I used to run the card for most purchases but as more stores charge to use the card I have flipped back to cash (I live in a rural area). I almost always have several hundred in cash on me in case I need to stop at the feed store and drop a quick hundred. I also like not having my purchases tracked, though since I quit the vast majority of my "sins" that is less of a consideration.

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Objective_Joke_5023@reddit

I mostly charge everything and pay the balance monthly, but I love some cash for small business service providers and tips! My kids die when I pull out the cash. Eff them kids!

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HighSeasArchivist@reddit

I'm debit/credit card only, but keep $1k in cash on me just in case.

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corkboy@reddit

This is a terrible idea

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HighSeasArchivist@reddit

Yeah, after 30 years of doing it without issue any day now my luck will run out. Or it won't.

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aharryh@reddit

When I saw that "I grew up as 1 of 8". I immediately thought of "7 of 9" Borg family.

Back to topic - Carry cash but never get to use it, I have the same bills in my wallet as I've had for a few years.

[-]

iaMBictrochee@reddit

I have 5 siblings and I have referred to myself as "4 of 6" for a long time! 😁

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Berry-Holiday@reddit

Hahahaha I get you. I'm 3 of 8

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jeep242@reddit

I use cash on 90% of my purchases. It's nice depositing $300+ in change at the end of the year.

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shitposter1000@reddit

We keep cash in the safe for when interac is down. Don't carry much, as it's just in case

[-]

Chibi-Skyler@reddit

Mom and Dad told me, "Always carry cash with you." I use it at Walmart (no contactless payment there) and I always give cash tips (Uber drivers really appreciate that). And you never know when credit card machines might stop working.

When my PCP moved to a new office, their computer system wasn't fully up and running. I tried to hand the receptionist a $20 for my co-pay...and she said they no longer accept cash and will send me a bill. So odd.

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HammerT4R@reddit

I carry enough cash to make it through a few days just in case the whole system goes down. Which it has around here a couple of times after huge storms.

[-]

mariace65@reddit

I prefer cash too. I always carry some. Usually pay with cash at restaurants, but always at least give cash for tips - and it's always appriciated

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MasterLowpiece@reddit

I carry cash to pay for meals when the restaurant charges a credit card fee. My wife and I joke that when we use cash it's a free meal since it doesn't come out of our accounts or hits the credit cards at the end of the month

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R-Voodoo@reddit

I was all credit all the time because of the rewards. You were leaving money on the table using cash for a time there. But it seems like those days are kinda gone, no? More and more people are charging a 3% fee to use the card, so that negates the rewards. Using cash would help me spend less, that's a fact. Credit card isn't real money, just numbers 🤣

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Sea-Oven-7560@reddit

For me it's easier to control my spending with cash and I've done it the same way for decades. I take my spending money out in cash and I can do whatever I want with it, I can eat dinner out, buy the whole bar drinks, whatever it doesn't matter because the bills are paid but when the money runs out the party is over. It's really easy to run up a big bill on a CC and think nothing of it, nobody is going to stop you when you put $1000 on the CC -but that party ends very quickly when you only have $50 in your pocket.

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RedQueenWhiteQueen@reddit

My car dealership was going to charge me the 3% for $116 of work so they just had to wait while I wrote them a damned check.

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R-Voodoo@reddit

I just had to buy my first book of cheques!! The first ones that came with the account lasted like 10 years, maybe 15! But I'm actually writing cheques now.

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NoExpression1913@reddit

I was at a hockey game last week, ordered two beers, pulled out my wad and started peeling $10 bills off it. Server said ‘we don’t accept cash but you can go to guest services and get a gift card then come back and get your beer’. WHAT?!?!?!

[-]

dbrmn73@reddit

I prefer the 3-5% cash back i get using my CC. And since I pay the bill in full every month its actually cash back.

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DiscoStu2U@reddit

Plus you can dispute charges if something goes bad.

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BaldAndOld@reddit

I prefer using my phone. Just tap and go! Cash is physically dirty and so I find it gross eeeew no thanks. coins are even more inconvenient - I have none left in my possession I have thrown or given them all away. Instead, my CC company pays me thousands of dollars every year to use the card I use with my phone (3% cashback) - which they pay into my brokerage account every month that I just invest in the stock market of course. Tens of thousands of dollars up now

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DiscoStu2U@reddit

The cash back is why I use credit cards. Plus floats the bill for 1+ month.

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Sea-Oven-7560@reddit

When I was young I worked for my construction worker uncles and was always paid in cash (poorly I might add). At the time everyone in construction worked in cash, you paid for everything on the spot in cash, that was how things worked. It was not uncommon for the head guy to carry several thousand dollars (and a gun) in his pocket at anytime. To me a 16 year old kid I thought this was totally normal, so I started carrying money on me all the time. I'm 16 years old in '84 and I'm carrying somewhere between $300-500 in my pocket at any time, I wasn't trying to show off it's not like I was flashing cash all the time but it's what I saw adults do so I did it too. It wasn't a big deal until I got in trouble and I had to empty my pockets and I had a knot of money larger than the teacher's pay check. I got throw into detention and they called the cops because they were sure I was a drug dealer -mom had to come in and straighten everything out.

I still carry cash, especially if we are going out, cash is always king in a restaurant or bar and when we travel I always carry a good amount of cash because cash can get you out of problems a debit card cannot. My wife just shakes her head, she'll drive 1000 miles by herself with nothing but a credit card -I've gotten into the habit of whenever I get cash I just give he some, just in case and a month or two later she'll still have the $50 I gave her.

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OldSkooler1212@reddit

I haven’t take out cash since about March of 2020. The only thing I used cash for was a convenience store that was inside the government site I worked at. The owners of the small store preferred cash so I honored their wishes when I’d buy from them.

[-]

seven-cents@reddit

I don't like carrying cash, but I do love squirreling it away under the mattress

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RedQueenWhiteQueen@reddit

Enjoy it while you can, because some businesses, including restaurants, are now refusing to accept cash.

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JMU_88@reddit

I think this should be illegal. Cash is legal tender, and businesses should have at least some option to accept it. My grandson (7) can't buy concessions at a park or a ball game because I'm not giving him my CC. But I am willing to hand him $10.

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CraftLass@reddit

It is the law in some places, like NJ and NYC.

A coffee shop in my NJ city has been pretty heavily fined (in small biz terms) for not accepting cash and they had to do special mandatory management training on the law. It is also illegal to pass on CC fees to the consumer without disclosing it up front. Good laws!

[-]

Quadfather44@reddit

Strictly cash for me. I love when Douchebag Supreme Bill Gates says if you don't go digital you can't be a part of society. That's a threat how? Where's the down side? Why does he dictate what we all can and can't do anyways? Suppose that's a question that isn't for this sub.

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EntertainerNo4509@reddit

Im the same way. Love having a stack w me at all times. Lots of places won’t even accept cash anymore and I find it infuriating.

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BigBabyWhale@reddit

Apple Pay for everything accept my barber. Been that way for years.

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ThrenderG@reddit

How you gonna get those juicy cash back rewards with cash bro

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Deeschuck@reddit

Don’t need no cash back if you already got cash. Duh.

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Regular_Newspaper229@reddit

I miss the change from paying with cash and my five gallon empty water jug notices

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River-swimmer7694@reddit

Cash is king.

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OldSkooler1212@reddit

I haven’t take out cash since about March of 2020. The only thing I used cash for was a convenience store that was inside the government site I worked at. The owners of the small store preferred cash so I honored their wishes when I’d buy from them.

[-]

Icy-Astronaut-9994@reddit

I love Cash.

Just not to carry.

Have at least 20K in weed sale money.

I buy stuff like Lawn Mowers when mine break.

And Guns I want.

But not everyday stuff.

[-]

Upset_Peace_6739@reddit

Canadian here and a few years ago Rogers - big telecom company - went down and took down the Interact system as well. At the time I only had cash for laundry and the delivery of my various THC products. The network was back up within 24 hours but people were freaking out. My tablet cover has a pocket on the front and not there is always at least $60 tucked in there.

OP I feel you so much on finally having extra cash! To be able to have cash tucked away and not need it is amazing.

[-]

voteblue18@reddit

gif

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DrumsKing@reddit

Only dirty people carry cash around. -Stuart

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gottaeatnow@reddit

I did this for a long time but gave up in 2020. It just wasn’t worth the hassle.

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Flat_6_Theory@reddit

I pretty much just get cash for the kids to use at the odd school function. Allows me to carry an ultra thin wallet that fits comfortably in my front pocket.

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cbatta2025@reddit

I pay for everything with my CC to get the rewards, even all my bills. I carry 100 or so in cash to use for impromptu slot machine 🎰 usage.

[-]

Almofo@reddit

Same. Love cash. When I pay my credit card, I always tip in cash.

[-]

Servile-PastaLover@reddit

I straddle between cash and cashless.

Cashless is easier, but there are places I go like flea markets and comic book shows where many vendors are cash only.

I like to tip cashiers $1 at fast food joints and also at my fav bakery.

[-]

ChateauLaFeet@reddit

Yeah, hybrid for me

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Few-Dragonfruit160@reddit

If you live in any country other than the ISA, you also don’t have to wait. Nobody walks away with your CC, person with your bill also comes with a remote machine. Tap and go. Faster than cash and no need to make change.

[-]

InvestmentMain8414@reddit

The US has always been behind in banking. Have a cousin Im very close with there. Buy her kids bday and xmas gifts.

Sometimes life gets in the way, and I forget to get a gift in time to account for shipping. So I send her money for the kid(s). It drives me nuts that I cant just etransfer to her money. I need a 3rd party app.

[-]

Columbia_Guy001@reddit

There might be some bills in my sock drawer, but I never have cash on me these days.

[-]

ChrisRiley_42@reddit

I keep $85 in my wallet for emergencies, and deal with cards for everything.

And not living in the US, I never have to give my credit card to anyone,.

[-]

jaxbravesfan@reddit

I usually have cash on me, but not very much. So many places are completely cashless now. All the concert venues, arenas, and stadiums in my area are cashless. Some restaurants are now cashless. I tried to buy a Gatorade at a certain chain of gas station/convenience store that I hadn’t been to in years not long ago, and they were cashless. Now there are some places I frequent that charge a fee to use credit or debit cards - the small local restaurant my wife and I ate dinner at last night is one - and I’ll use cash at those places. I’ll write checks to my HVAC company, plumbing company, electrician, etc. because they’ll charge you 5 percent to use a card. So if it saves me money, I’ll use cash. If it doesn’t, I’ll tap.

[-]

MattJC123@reddit

Exact opposite for me. Cash and coins are so dirty and gross. Whenever I have to use them I feel very old and like something has gone wrong.

[-]

DrEyeBender@reddit

Cash is dirty and you get no rewards or easy way to keep track of your spending.

[-]

cirkis@reddit

Nope that shits dirty af

[-]

OrigamiMonkey@reddit

I haven't had cash in my wallet since like 2011. Card/phone is just so much easier to tap and go.

[-]

TravelerMSY@reddit

It’s fine when it makes it faster. Like when you’re throwing down exact change. Anything else and I’d rather just tap.

[-]

strayvoltage@reddit

Restaurants, bars, etc, I pay with a card and tip the server with cash.

[-]

WYYATA@reddit

Hate carrying cash, I’m down to a little clip with my insurance card, credit card and drivers license. Love having so little crap taking up room in my pockets. Even swapped my house locks to digital just to avoid carrying a key. Other than the 3 cards the only other thing I carry in my pocket is my car key fob and once I get a car where I can use my phone that’ll be gone too.

[-]

Moonsmom181@reddit

I prefer accruing points/rewards, but I don’t want to pay a 3% surcharge if I can avoid it.

[-]

ExaminationFancy@reddit

I prefer credit cards. Just tap and go!

I get a percentage back from all purchases and receive it as a credit. I pay my cards on time. Who doesn’t want free money?

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