Money

[drogulus]

     At some time a few years back I stopped using money in its ancestral form of cash. This was not a result of a change of belief about the utility of paper and metal, but something more like an observation that I didn't go to ATMs. I made no decision to stop going and instead never encountered a situation that would cause me to start going to get cash like I used to.

     Cash won't be abolished from above, instead it will be extinguished from below.

     I was at the Star Market today and there was an elderly lady in front at the checkout paying for her groceries with a wad of cash. There it was clear as an azure sky, whatever that is. Cash will disappear and there won't be anyone to notice except the unbanked and criminals

[DavidW]

Cash will disappear and there won't be anyone to notice except the unbanked and criminals

The barbers around here only take cash. And many mom-and-pop stores pass the credit surcharge on to the customer, with the end result being that more people pay cash.

[drogulus]

The barbers around here only take cash. And many mom-and-pop stores pass the credit surcharge on to the customer, with the end result being that more people pay cash.

     It could be a regional thing. I saw a vid going down a street in Texas and the guy is counting the payday loan establishments. There were 5 within a few blocks. Last time I was in Texas I noticed them.

     

[hopefullytrusting]

[Karl Henning]

When I use cash, it's usually at the laundromat. 

[Iota]

I generally always had some cash about me until the pandemic, when I stopped using it and only ever use card now. The only time I miss it is handing out a few coppers to homeless people, especially in the current chilly weather. I imagine they lose out big time with its gradual disappearance.

[drogulus]

I generally always had some cash about me until the pandemic, when I stopped using it and only ever use card now. The only time I miss it is handing out a few coppers to homeless people, especially in the current chilly weather. I imagine they lose out big time with its gradual disappearance.

     That's a good point. Fortunately my co-conspirator gives money to anything with a pulse.

     

[DaveF]

I find now that cash doesn't feel like "real" money at all, to the extent that on occasions when I find myself with a considerable amount of it in my pocket (usually due to my employer's antiquated way of paying expenses) I give it to homeless people, buy lots of drinks, give it to my wife or other undeserving recipients etc.

[hopefullytrusting]

I generally always had some cash about me until the pandemic, when I stopped using it and only ever use card now. The only time I miss it is handing out a few coppers to homeless people, especially in the current chilly weather. I imagine they lose out big time with its gradual disappearance.

At least by me, they tend to be near convenience stores, so I simply ask what they want, and buy some (or all) of it.

[Karl Henning]

At least by me, they tend to be near convenience stores, so I simply ask what they want, and buy some (or all) of it.

Nice!

[DavidW]

Anyway, I myself only use cash at the barber shop and for occasional tips (like to the guy who delivered my new speakers). The rest of the time it is credit or Apple.

[Szykneij]

  I find carrying at least some cash in my wallet to be a good thing as I usually only charge purchases if they're over 15-20 dollars. I believe tipping is more prevalent here in the U.S. than other places, so cash is helpful in that regard.

When I'm approached by someone claiming to be down on their luck and in need of a few bucks, I'd rather be taken for a couple of dollars than to not have helped someone who needed it. As I was recently leaving a donut shop with my $3.00 coffee and sandwich in a bag, a man in a wheelchair with his foot in a cast asked me for a couple of dollars. When a gave him a twenty, he was incredibly grateful. I guess such generosity wasn't something he had experienced much. I count my blessings every day for my general good health and my far from wealthy, but comfortable living condition. It could just have easily been me alone in a wheelchair needing assistance.

[Karl Henning]

I find carrying at least some cash in my wallet to be a good thing as I usually only charge purchases if they're over 15-20 dollars. I believe tipping is more prevalent here in the U.S. than other places, so cash is helpful in that regard.

When I'm approached by someone claiming to be down on their luck and in need of a few bucks, I'd rather be taken for a couple of dollars than to not have helped someone who needed it. As I was recently leaving a donut shop with my $3.00 coffee and sandwich in a bag, a man in a wheelchair with his foot in a cast asked me for a couple of dollars. When a gave him a twenty, he was incredibly grateful. I guess such generosity wasn't something he had experienced much. I count my blessings every day for my general good health and my far from wealthy, but comfortable living condition. It could just have easily been me alone in a wheelchair needing assistance.

Truly. There's a chap I sometimes see by the Stop n Shop. On days I see him, I make a point of having some greenery to help him out.

[drogulus]

    I'd probably say "can you break a twenty?", wait a beat and then say "nahh, I'm just messin' with ya" and give the guy the bill. That's a win win.

[AnotherSpin]

I often pay with my smartphone, although in my country, Ukraine, cash is still widely used. At private food markets, only cash is accepted, as small vendors don't have the necessary equipment. When I lived in a small town in Germany at the beginning of the war, even in supermarkets, most of the people paid with cash. Now, while traveling in Southeast Asia, I almost always pay with my smartphone, as exchanging currency is problematic where I'm staying, and I didn't see ATMs often.

[Iota]

At least by me, they tend to be near convenience stores, so I simply ask what they want, and buy some (or all) of it.

As do I. But there's no question just putting some money in their cup or hat is so much more convenient, especially when you're short on time, and thus from their pov more beneficial, as more likely to happen.

[Atriod]

I went cashless 10-15+ years ago, except on really rare occasions like anticipating eating at a food truck that charges tax and/or CC fees. Replaced my bifold wallet with a cardholder and with a driver's license, health insurance card, and two credit cards it's much more comfortable too.

Truly. There's a chap I sometimes see by the Stop n Shop. On days I see him, I make a point of having some greenery to help him out.

Good old Stop n Shop, the only way this could have been more New England was if it was a Mahket Basket.

[Szykneij]

Good old Stop n Shop, the only way this could have been more New England was if it was a Mahket Basket.

... with a Dunkin' Donuts next door.