topic Re: Going back to cash?? in Community Chat

Going back to cash??

Karie2022 — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 22:37:03 GMT

With all the hacking lately (target, Neimans and more to come) I am seriously thinking of going back to good ole cash--I don't like carrying a lot of cash so what I have done in the past is just buy a Visa or MasterCard gift card and pay cash for them...everyone takes them and I have used them for online purchases...anyone else?

Re: Going back to cash??

shesallthat — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 22:50:55 GMT

not me! but my DH has always believed that cash is king! he does not have a CC or even a bank card. no checks either. even when we buy big ticket items he will pay in cash - and i am looking over my shoulder to make sure nobody is following us home! the looks on the salesperson's face kills me every single time!

Re: Going back to cash??

scotttie — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 22:51:50 GMT

No, I like the points rewards I get on my credit card.

Re: Going back to cash??

DoneTryin — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 23:01:17 GMT

I'm using cash more now after having one of my debit cards hacked last spring. Fortunately I was able to get the money back, but it was a hassle & really got me to thinking. This latest mess with Target just reinforced my growing fears. I don't like carrying a lot of cash around, either, so use a cross-body bag to help prevent purse-snatching, keep aware of my surroundings, hurry to my car, & lock the doors as soon as I get in. The side benefit to using cash is that it certainly helps curb those impulse purchases!

Re: Going back to cash??

Topaz Gem — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 23:06:20 GMT

Even though traveler's cheques are passé, I would like to see them make a comeback. Many years ago, an elderly woman told me that whenever she would go into Boston for a day of shopping, she would get all her money in travelers cheques. If she lost them or was robbed, she could get them back as long as she produced the receipt. I think that makes perfect sense nowadays. I don't like to carry tons of cash, but I would feel more comfortable carrying travelers cheques. Using cards is getting very risky and very scary.

Re: Going back to cash??

lulu2 — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 23:10:01 GMT

On 1/17/2014 beammeupscottie said:
No, I like the points rewards I get on my credit card.

As do I.

Re: Going back to cash??

deepwaterdotter — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 23:12:55 GMT

I never really stopped using cash, but I'm an old lady.

Re: Going back to cash??

rondell — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 23:23:43 GMT

On 1/17/2014 deepwaterdotter said:
I never really stopped using cash, but I'm an old lady.

Re: Going back to cash??

evelomaddict — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 23:46:54 GMT

never. security breaches happen but you're protected. you're not protect if you lose cash or are robbed.

Re: Going back to cash??

glb613 — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 23:53:45 GMT

On 1/17/2014 beammeupscottie said:
No, I like the points rewards I get on my credit card.

Me too. Over the years I've received $750.00 in gift cards from my rewards credit card.

Re: Going back to cash??

Hooty — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 23:56:44 GMT

I have actually thought about doing this myself! I thought I was safe with Target since I had not shopped there during the period mentioned, but now they are saying, it could have been years ago!

Also, thinking about only using PayPal for my CC charges online!

Re: Going back to cash??

tansy — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 00:06:26 GMT

I get two hefty reward checks twice a year by using my cards.

Re: Going back to cash??

colliemom4 — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 00:31:47 GMT

I do use cash for a lot of things.

Re: Going back to cash??

madcity411 — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 01:39:21 GMT

Right, and the next big problem is......... MUGGINGS are up!

Re: Going back to cash??

Snowpuppy — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 01:51:23 GMT

I went Old School awhile back. Had to do both with cyber security and budgeting. If I take $100 to the grocery, that's it. I'm budgeted out. No overspending.

For online shopping I have a pre-paid debit card. Only has $ on it when I intend to shop online. Cash is only on it for a day or two and then zero balance. If I have more $ left than intended on the card I put it in the gas tank.

I don't spend enough in a year to make any rewards program work for me.

Re: Going back to cash??

Kachina624 — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 01:55:14 GMT

I saw a news report today on the Target fiasco. They said the credit card was compromised the instant it was swiped, by a virus in the Target system. They indicated they're not quite sure how it was done or who did it. Until someone figures out how to stop these breeches, it's going to happen over and over. The crooks seems to stay a step ahead of the technology to stop them. The people who do this are undoubtedly tech geniuses; too bad they're not working for common good.

Re: Going back to cash??

brewhaha — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 02:05:40 GMT

I'm going to have to find the cash I got from my last bank robbery. At my age, my memory is getting worse every day.

Re: Going back to cash??

occasionalrain — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 02:32:58 GMT

On 1/17/2014 shesallthat said:
not me! but my DH has always believed that cash is king! he does not have a CC or even a bank card. no checks either. even when we buy big ticket items he will pay in cash - and i am looking over my shoulder to make sure nobody is following us home! the looks on the salesperson's face kills me every single time!

People who pay for expensive items with cash are suspected of getting that cash from illegal business like dealing drugs.

Re: Going back to cash??

evelomaddict — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 02:40:20 GMT

On 1/17/2014 occasional rain said:
On 1/17/2014 shesallthat said:
not me! but my DH has always believed that cash is king! he does not have a CC or even a bank card. no checks either. even when we buy big ticket items he will pay in cash - and i am looking over my shoulder to make sure nobody is following us home! the looks on the salesperson's face kills me every single time!

People who pay for expensive items with cash are suspected of getting that cash from illegal business like dealing drugs.

cash used to be king but now that all transactions over 10k have to reported to the irs, it's no longer the case.

Re: Going back to cash??

sylviahomeatlast — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 02:42:58 GMT

debit for everyday purchases and CC for ""shopping""