There was about a year there where as a recovering debtaholic I went all physical cash for everything via the envelope system. Now I gradually transitioned to using a debit card then back to the credit card, but the point is I learned the merits of good old analog folding money. I had a pretty long physical cash “phase” and I didn’t mind it one bit, I could live like that just fine again if I had to.
Physical money in your hand leads to instantly self-correcting behavior. The thing is, I was better off being all cash all the time than I was acting like the typical consumer schmuck because it was a way to reign myself in. The behaviors I taught myself going all cash for a year help me even today.
I have a friend who was never in debt, but he switched to all cash a few years ago and hasn’t gone back. He loves it. “I spend less.” is the reason why.
I still use cash for a few services and on social occasions. The credit card verification mechanisms aren’t 100% perfect even today, so it helps avoid embarrassment and awkwardness to have cash on hand to cover the bill on the rare occasion there’s a problem (I’d rather call the credit card company the next morning than right there in the restaurant!). I keep meaning to get some to have around for a week’s worth of supplies in the event of a storm, blackout etc.
It has downsides of course, carrying physical cash means you can lose it for example. And in my case, I actually saved more money again when I went to a debit card because the tracking is superior.
But it’s not the devil! It’s just money! (The love of money is the devil, for those keeping score.)
What touched this rant off is a comment I overheard today about someone, no idea who, who is apparently “a major creep” because, and I quote, “He literally pays cash for everything.”
Why is that a problem? Why? Someone explain it to me please. What exactly is wrong with that?
Why is this guy “creepy”? Seriously what is inherently awful about using cash for your day to day expenses? That person may be a recovering debtor trying to get his act together, or someone trying to be more frugal, or maybe they just might like cash. That's as valid a reason as any!
It's not just this little comment I overheard either, it seems everyone's at war with cash. Why? What is so wrong with coins and notes?
It’s gotten so I’ve even heard of some small vendors who only accept cards, they literally do not have a cash till. I mean I can understand that for like a self-service kiosk or something where space or security is at a premium (I understand you don’t want people knocking it over to try to get the cash out of it), but an actual store or stand with an actual person at the register not accepting cash? Come on!
I’ve even heard of people getting stopped in traffic and searched and set to jail or detained for having cash on them! I heard a story about a car dealer who called the police when someone presented cash payment for their new car. That’s utterly insane!
Now I’m not saying have oodles and oodles of physical cash, that’s probably a bad idea, and I often don’t have any on me (which is negligent, I should always carry a small amount). I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with cards, checks, etc. I’m not saying I don’t use a credit card 99% of the time, which I presently do.
I get it, that physical cash doesn’t earn interest, doesn’t get rewards, etc. But these things are generally not going to amount to some huge amount for most people who are just using cash for groceries and the like. Like I said I don’t use a lot of physical cash myself any more, but I don’t think it’s “weird” or “creepy”!
I am just asking when it became “weird” to pay your way in cold hard cash!?