Comments on: My Ongoing Battle With The Cash In My Pocket http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:17:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Romeo http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/comment-page-1/#comment-925815 Romeo Mon, 27 Sep 2010 01:58:49 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/#comment-925815 I was going to exclaim, "what!?, you're not wasting cash if you are buying something that you value AND can afford it after all your other savings obligations are met." But, then I saw that this article was written in 2007, so hopefully you wouldn't feel as guilty today. Romeo I was going to exclaim, “what!?, you’re not wasting cash if you are buying something that you value AND can afford it after all your other savings obligations are met.” But, then I saw that this article was written in 2007, so hopefully you wouldn’t feel as guilty today.

Romeo

]]> By: Bob http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/comment-page-1/#comment-86259 Bob Sat, 13 Oct 2007 12:52:04 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/#comment-86259 Electronic envelopes. I don't keep physical cash in my home. I did have someone break in and steal quite a bit which was to be paid for bills. I lost that money forever, the police detective said "Sorry that is how it goes". I did have receipts and proof of my cash, didn't matter. They eventually caught the person who broke into my home but I never got my money back. Now I use only credit card for all purchases. I have an "Electronic Envelope system" so I name each bill or expense and put that amount to be paid. It seems to be working out quite well, I gain that extra interest from my online bank. I also gain rewards from my credit card which I always pay off each month. I refuse to keep physical cash in my home. Electronic envelopes. I don’t keep physical cash in my home. I did have someone break in and steal quite a bit which was to be paid for bills. I lost that money forever, the police detective said “Sorry that is how it goes”. I did have receipts and proof of my cash, didn’t matter. They eventually caught the person who broke into my home but I never got my money back.
Now I use only credit card for all purchases. I have an “Electronic Envelope system” so I name each bill or expense and put that amount to be paid. It seems to be working out quite well, I gain that extra interest from my online bank. I also gain rewards from my credit card which I always pay off each month. I refuse to keep physical cash in my home.

]]> By: Patrick http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/comment-page-1/#comment-83187 Patrick Sun, 07 Oct 2007 17:29:41 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/#comment-83187 I also think it is fascinating how people function differently when it comes to spending money. You don't like to carry cash, while other people get into trouble with plastic. I find it comfortable to always have around $60 cash on me at all times. Sometimes a little more, other times a little less. But I use my credit card for every purchase I can, and pay it off at the end of the month. I just like having the cash for the feeling of security. I also think it is fascinating how people function differently when it comes to spending money. You don’t like to carry cash, while other people get into trouble with plastic.

I find it comfortable to always have around $60 cash on me at all times. Sometimes a little more, other times a little less. But I use my credit card for every purchase I can, and pay it off at the end of the month. I just like having the cash for the feeling of security.

]]> By: Anna http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/comment-page-1/#comment-74905 Anna Fri, 21 Sep 2007 15:37:48 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/#comment-74905 I'm so completely fascinated by the differences in how people think about this issue. It's really interesting to read how other people handle this. Logically, I understand that using a credit card lets you look at exactly how much of your money went where at the end of the month. This is exactly the reason I always used credit cards in the past. The problem for me was that I would look at it, see that I spent too much and what I spent it on, vow to spend less, and then never follow through. When I use cash, it's gone when it's gone, end of story. Luckily I've never had my purse stolen. I can see how that would make someone *extremely* adverse to carrying cash. I’m so completely fascinated by the differences in how people think about this issue. It’s really interesting to read how other people handle this.

Logically, I understand that using a credit card lets you look at exactly how much of your money went where at the end of the month. This is exactly the reason I always used credit cards in the past. The problem for me was that I would look at it, see that I spent too much and what I spent it on, vow to spend less, and then never follow through. When I use cash, it’s gone when it’s gone, end of story.

Luckily I’ve never had my purse stolen. I can see how that would make someone *extremely* adverse to carrying cash.

]]> By: Lori http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/comment-page-1/#comment-74829 Lori Fri, 21 Sep 2007 13:16:48 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/#comment-74829 I'm actually the other way. As I get out of debt, withdrawing a set amount for groceries, gas and incidentals each week has been one of the best ways to stick to not spending more than I earn. I’m actually the other way. As I get out of debt, withdrawing a set amount for groceries, gas and incidentals each week has been one of the best ways to stick to not spending more than I earn.

]]> By: vh http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/comment-page-1/#comment-74644 vh Fri, 21 Sep 2007 06:17:42 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/#comment-74644 Wow! The differences in psychology are really interesting! And what great ways of "persuading" yourself to hang onto cash rather than letting it pour like sand through your fingers (exactly what it does whenever it gets into my hands)! Three reasons I prefer using a credit card: 1. Cash sublimes into thin air for me. Or at least I have the impression that it disappears very, very fast. This may be because... 2. Spending cash doesn't leave me with a good record of where it's spent. I think it's a control issue...whether correctly or not, I've got myself convinced that I need to know exactly where every penny goes so as to understand my spending patterns and budget effectively. 3. And finally, after you've had your purse stolen or your house burgled, you get radically averse to carrying cash or keeping it anywhere inside your home. If your credit card is taken, you can cut your losses to $50 or less. But when some s.h. takes $100 or more, it's just gone. I can't afford to lose fifty bucks, much less an entire week's worth of grocery money! Wow! The differences in psychology are really interesting! And what great ways of “persuading” yourself to hang onto cash rather than letting it pour like sand through your fingers (exactly what it does whenever it gets into my hands)!

Three reasons I prefer using a credit card:

1. Cash sublimes into thin air for me. Or at least I have the impression that it disappears very, very fast. This may be because…

2. Spending cash doesn’t leave me with a good record of where it’s spent. I think it’s a control issue…whether correctly or not, I’ve got myself convinced that I need to know exactly where every penny goes so as to understand my spending patterns and budget effectively.

3. And finally, after you’ve had your purse stolen or your house burgled, you get radically averse to carrying cash or keeping it anywhere inside your home. If your credit card is taken, you can cut your losses to $50 or less. But when some s.h. takes $100 or more, it’s just gone. I can’t afford to lose fifty bucks, much less an entire week’s worth of grocery money!

]]> By: Anna http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/comment-page-1/#comment-74479 Anna Thu, 20 Sep 2007 23:33:37 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/#comment-74479 I'm with jtimberman and viola on this. Until recently I put everything on my credit cards and "paid it off at the end of the month." The reason I put that in quotes is that it never actually happened that way. Inevitably I would spend more than I could afford to pay off, and the balance kept going up. Now all my money is spent in one of three ways: bills and emergency fund savings are automatically deducted from my account, groceries and gas are paid for with actual cash that I take out of the ATM on the 1st and 15th of every month, and a little bit is transfered to a seperate savings account for irregular expenses like car registration and magazine subscriptions. If I'm actually purchasing something that I've set money aside for in that third account, I use my debit card and then subtract what I spend from the next month's transfer. This way, I use the debit card so rarely that I really think about what I'm buying when I do use it, and I don't use it to buy things that weren't in my budget. Because I'm attacking my debt intensely right now, I don't have any money that I can just blow on whatever. I may give myself an allowance for that stuff in the future, but right now I rely on the few fun things I've budgeted for and that I really use (netflix, crocheting, cable tv, etc) as well as stuff that's free (hanging out with roommates/friends) and stuff I already have (a dvd collection and a computer). This has been working really well for me, so I'm sticking with it. It's interesting to read the different philosophies of how people use cash/debit/credit. I think it goes to show how much psychology plays into finance and how personal it is. I’m with jtimberman and viola on this. Until recently I put everything on my credit cards and “paid it off at the end of the month.” The reason I put that in quotes is that it never actually happened that way. Inevitably I would spend more than I could afford to pay off, and the balance kept going up.

Now all my money is spent in one of three ways: bills and emergency fund savings are automatically deducted from my account, groceries and gas are paid for with actual cash that I take out of the ATM on the 1st and 15th of every month, and a little bit is transfered to a seperate savings account for irregular expenses like car registration and magazine subscriptions.

If I’m actually purchasing something that I’ve set money aside for in that third account, I use my debit card and then subtract what I spend from the next month’s transfer. This way, I use the debit card so rarely that I really think about what I’m buying when I do use it, and I don’t use it to buy things that weren’t in my budget.

Because I’m attacking my debt intensely right now, I don’t have any money that I can just blow on whatever. I may give myself an allowance for that stuff in the future, but right now I rely on the few fun things I’ve budgeted for and that I really use (netflix, crocheting, cable tv, etc) as well as stuff that’s free (hanging out with roommates/friends) and stuff I already have (a dvd collection and a computer).

This has been working really well for me, so I’m sticking with it. It’s interesting to read the different philosophies of how people use cash/debit/credit. I think it goes to show how much psychology plays into finance and how personal it is.

]]> By: Kell http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/comment-page-1/#comment-74451 Kell Thu, 20 Sep 2007 22:32:51 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/#comment-74451 i have to agree that it's very difficult not to spend physical cash, which is why I also avoid it. However, the trick I work with is if I have to use cash (often at my local markets), I take the remainder money and put it into a sealed money tin. It's much easier than visiting a bank, so it's more likely to happen, and I have a nice bonus amount of cash to cover me at christmas time. i have to agree that it’s very difficult not to spend physical cash, which is why I also avoid it. However, the trick I work with is if I have to use cash (often at my local markets), I take the remainder money and put it into a sealed money tin. It’s much easier than visiting a bank, so it’s more likely to happen, and I have a nice bonus amount of cash to cover me at christmas time.

]]> By: Daniel http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/comment-page-1/#comment-74429 Daniel Thu, 20 Sep 2007 21:51:36 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/#comment-74429 My wife loves the cash budget. She definitely spends less when she withdraws a set amount for the month and has that for spending as opposed to just relying on her cards. I agree with a previous comment regarding debit cards. It is much easier to categorize your spending with debit card use & online banking, but we often end up spending more. For a 2 year period of my life when I was single I lived on a monthly cash budget of $135. The only expense I had, however, was food for myself. I knew that I could get by on $20 p/week at the grocery store so I withdrew $80 at the beginning of each month and labeled 4 envelopes for each week and placed $20 into each envelope where it remained out of site until needed. The balance grew in my account obviously. My point is that if you budget out your monthly expenses very precisely and set the cash aside somewhere that's out of sight until needed, you'll minimize the temptation to spend cash in your pocket. This works particularly well with grocery, household & entertainment expenses. My wife loves the cash budget. She definitely spends less when she withdraws a set amount for the month and has that for spending as opposed to just relying on her cards. I agree with a previous comment regarding debit cards. It is much easier to categorize your spending with debit card use & online banking, but we often end up spending more.

For a 2 year period of my life when I was single I lived on a monthly cash budget of $135. The only expense I had, however, was food for myself. I knew that I could get by on $20 p/week at the grocery store so I withdrew $80 at the beginning of each month and labeled 4 envelopes for each week and placed $20 into each envelope where it remained out of site until needed. The balance grew in my account obviously. My point is that if you budget out your monthly expenses very precisely and set the cash aside somewhere that’s out of sight until needed, you’ll minimize the temptation to spend cash in your pocket. This works particularly well with grocery, household & entertainment expenses.

]]> By: viola http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/comment-page-1/#comment-74406 viola Thu, 20 Sep 2007 21:09:23 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/#comment-74406 I agree with jtimberman.....You can solve your cash problem by dividing it up in envelopes for whatever spending categories you have (food, fun, gas, etc) for each month/week/paycheck. When the cash is gone from the envelope, you stop spending. Trust me this is extremely effective, as you'll find out when you spend the food money for the month in 2 weeks and have to improvise the rest of the month. This has made me EXTREMELY conscious of how much I spend and how much I have left. Credit card is too easy to swipe & go. I agree with jtimberman…..You can solve your cash problem by dividing it up in envelopes for whatever spending categories you have (food, fun, gas, etc) for each month/week/paycheck. When the cash is gone from the envelope, you stop spending.

Trust me this is extremely effective, as you’ll find out when you spend the food money for the month in 2 weeks and have to improvise the rest of the month.

This has made me EXTREMELY conscious of how much I spend and how much I have left. Credit card is too easy to swipe & go.

]]> By: Steve http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/comment-page-1/#comment-74391 Steve Thu, 20 Sep 2007 20:43:27 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/#comment-74391 I don't carry much cash, I generally pay for things with a rewards credit card that gets paid off every month. But I do keep a $50 bill tucked deep inside my wallet. Most of the time I forget it's even there, since I never see it. Maybe you could try this. You never when you have to have cash for something (flat tire in the middle of nowhere, Armageddon, etc). I don’t carry much cash, I generally pay for things with a rewards credit card that gets paid off every month. But I do keep a $50 bill tucked deep inside my wallet. Most of the time I forget it’s even there, since I never see it. Maybe you could try this. You never when you have to have cash for something (flat tire in the middle of nowhere, Armageddon, etc).

]]> By: Sense http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/comment-page-1/#comment-74363 Sense Thu, 20 Sep 2007 19:57:53 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/#comment-74363 I agree, the concept of those dollar coins are hard to accept as real money with high value--if I have a pocket full of change, I don't go, "hmm, i have money, what could I spend it on?" My change goes directly to a jar to be counted and deposited at a bank later. If i had a pocket full of cash, however...you can bet I'd be dreaming of all the things I 'need.' To prove my point, the dollar coins I received from random places (a toll booth?) are currently sitting in that coin jar. :) Now only if they made $20 coins, I'd be saving a fortune! I agree, the concept of those dollar coins are hard to accept as real money with high value–if I have a pocket full of change, I don’t go, “hmm, i have money, what could I spend it on?” My change goes directly to a jar to be counted and deposited at a bank later. If i had a pocket full of cash, however…you can bet I’d be dreaming of all the things I ‘need.’

To prove my point, the dollar coins I received from random places (a toll booth?) are currently sitting in that coin jar. :)

Now only if they made $20 coins, I’d be saving a fortune!

]]> By: jtimberman http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/comment-page-1/#comment-74341 jtimberman Thu, 20 Sep 2007 19:14:39 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/#comment-74341 Trent: Fanastic game, I've been playing it for awhile :-). I love cash. I really enjoy the process of buying something paying with cash, rather than with my debit card. I've found it much easier to control my spending with cash instead of debit. There's two keys to this: using an envelope system and weighing each choice carefully. See, if I have a "entertainment" envelope and I put $50 in it for a particular two week pay period, I have to think carefully about how I'm going to pay for entertainment, and what kind of entertainment I might participate in during those two weeks. I can buy a Wii game, but then I can't do anything else like go to the movies or the Zoo. If I go to the movies and the Zoo, I can't buy a Wii game. It is absolutely, vitally important that all cash withdrawn for purchases in your budgetting system have a NAME (ie, envelope) so you know how it is supposed to be spent. That way you're not buying Wii games from the gas money. It is also vitally important that every purchase be given at least some thought. Take the impulse out of your purchase decisions, and you will have power over your money. It's taken me three years of work, but I've gotten really good at my spending habits. My friends have commented, and sometimes poked fun, and one of my new coworkers observed that I'm the most responsible person with money he's ever met. And let me tell you, the compliments are rewarding. Even more rewarding, however, is knowing that when I see Metroid Prime 3 on the shelf, even though I have $50, I can make a decision "not today" and get on with my life, without letting the stuff I want take over. Trent: Fanastic game, I’ve been playing it for awhile :-).

I love cash. I really enjoy the process of buying something paying with cash, rather than with my debit card.

I’ve found it much easier to control my spending with cash instead of debit. There’s two keys to this: using an envelope system and weighing each choice carefully.

See, if I have a “entertainment” envelope and I put $50 in it for a particular two week pay period, I have to think carefully about how I’m going to pay for entertainment, and what kind of entertainment I might participate in during those two weeks. I can buy a Wii game, but then I can’t do anything else like go to the movies or the Zoo. If I go to the movies and the Zoo, I can’t buy a Wii game.

It is absolutely, vitally important that all cash withdrawn for purchases in your budgetting system have a NAME (ie, envelope) so you know how it is supposed to be spent. That way you’re not buying Wii games from the gas money. It is also vitally important that every purchase be given at least some thought. Take the impulse out of your purchase decisions, and you will have power over your money.

It’s taken me three years of work, but I’ve gotten really good at my spending habits. My friends have commented, and sometimes poked fun, and one of my new coworkers observed that I’m the most responsible person with money he’s ever met.

And let me tell you, the compliments are rewarding. Even more rewarding, however, is knowing that when I see Metroid Prime 3 on the shelf, even though I have $50, I can make a decision “not today” and get on with my life, without letting the stuff I want take over.

]]> By: Susan http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/comment-page-1/#comment-74332 Susan Thu, 20 Sep 2007 19:00:37 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/#comment-74332 Ditto, don't understand it fully but it is very frustrating. Ditto, don’t understand it fully but it is very frustrating.

]]> By: Laura http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/comment-page-1/#comment-74327 Laura Thu, 20 Sep 2007 18:47:24 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/#comment-74327 Hmmm... I sort of have the same problem. I don't feel compelled to spend cash that I carry on me, because I never use cash to pay for fun stuff anyway unless it's something under $5 like a magazine. But I do tend to use cash only for things like Starbucks or lunches out. If I don't have any cash on me, then rather than bother with going to the ATM to get any out, I usually just pack a lunch and bring it with me to work. If I have cash, I'll often simply not bother to pack a lunch and I'll buy lunch out with my cash. So I spend more on food when I have cash on me. Hmmm… I sort of have the same problem. I don’t feel compelled to spend cash that I carry on me, because I never use cash to pay for fun stuff anyway unless it’s something under $5 like a magazine. But I do tend to use cash only for things like Starbucks or lunches out. If I don’t have any cash on me, then rather than bother with going to the ATM to get any out, I usually just pack a lunch and bring it with me to work. If I have cash, I’ll often simply not bother to pack a lunch and I’ll buy lunch out with my cash. So I spend more on food when I have cash on me.

]]> By: smgirl http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/comment-page-1/#comment-74319 smgirl Thu, 20 Sep 2007 18:29:27 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/#comment-74319 I also think you are being too hard on yourself. My best advice would be to give yourself that freedom to spend some cash each week any way you like and not feel bad about it. My husband and I get allowances every week. We have a joint checking account and we each have seperate individual accounts. Every week when we get paid we take out money for our individual accounts. I take some of mine out of the atm in the form of cash every week. I use it for lattes, lunches out, movies with friends and even clothes or whatever i want. My husband does the same thing. We never feel guilty about it because we work hard to make that money and we are dilligent savers. If you can't give yourself the pleasure of doing something spontaneaos and fun every now and then working all those hours seems too daunting. Of course we save money like crazy, we have 401k's an emergency account and we are about to purchase a home. I think it is important to have fun money. Spend it anyway you like and let your spouse do the same. My husband spends most of his money on electronics, games and computer stuff but i don't care. It makes him happy and he works hard. I would say, give yourself the option to spend money on silly things every now and then. Trust me you will feel better and you deserve it. Makes life much more fun. I also think you are being too hard on yourself. My best advice would be to give yourself that freedom to spend some cash each week any way you like and not feel bad about it. My husband and I get allowances every week. We have a joint checking account and we each have seperate individual accounts. Every week when we get paid we take out money for our individual accounts. I take some of mine out of the atm in the form of cash every week. I use it for lattes, lunches out, movies with friends and even clothes or whatever i want. My husband does the same thing. We never feel guilty about it because we work hard to make that money and we are dilligent savers. If you can’t give yourself the pleasure of doing something spontaneaos and fun every now and then working all those hours seems too daunting. Of course we save money like crazy, we have 401k’s an emergency account and we are about to purchase a home.

I think it is important to have fun money. Spend it anyway you like and let your spouse do the same. My husband spends most of his money on electronics, games and computer stuff but i don’t care. It makes him happy and he works hard. I would say, give yourself the option to spend money on silly things every now and then. Trust me you will feel better and you deserve it. Makes life much more fun.

]]> By: Jessika http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/comment-page-1/#comment-74317 Jessika Thu, 20 Sep 2007 18:27:46 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/#comment-74317 I play a little game with cash when I have it, I got it from a message board on msn, whenever I get ones (and the occasional $5) i stash them away somewhere. Like when you get cash out (in $20s) and go buy something that costs $11, you get back a $5 and 4 $1s, go stick those $1s somewhere and eventually you'll get a nice stash that you can use to do something or go somewhere (or buy the video game you've been thinking about!) I play a little game with cash when I have it, I got it from a message board on msn, whenever I get ones (and the occasional $5) i stash them away somewhere. Like when you get cash out (in $20s) and go buy something that costs $11, you get back a $5 and 4 $1s, go stick those $1s somewhere and eventually you’ll get a nice stash that you can use to do something or go somewhere (or buy the video game you’ve been thinking about!)

]]> By: Kate http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/comment-page-1/#comment-74316 Kate Thu, 20 Sep 2007 18:25:00 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/#comment-74316 I'm like Susy; cash lingers in my wallet for months. I use the credit card for absolutely everything I can use it for. We pay our balance off in full each month and get an annual "dividend" on what we spend. So it's like getting a tiny discount everytime I use it. Not that I use that excuse to spend more. I get about $100 in cash every three months or so. I use it mostly to pay tolls, the occasional library fine, and at farmers' markets too. Though at the CSA markets where I buy meat (in bulk typically), it's usually going to cost me more cash than I have on hand, so I still dig out the checkbook for those occasions. Checks are sort of like hand-written letters to me: quaint and novel. I’m like Susy; cash lingers in my wallet for months. I use the credit card for absolutely everything I can use it for. We pay our balance off in full each month and get an annual “dividend” on what we spend. So it’s like getting a tiny discount everytime I use it. Not that I use that excuse to spend more.

I get about $100 in cash every three months or so. I use it mostly to pay tolls, the occasional library fine, and at farmers’ markets too. Though at the CSA markets where I buy meat (in bulk typically), it’s usually going to cost me more cash than I have on hand, so I still dig out the checkbook for those occasions.

Checks are sort of like hand-written letters to me: quaint and novel.

]]> By: Matt http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/comment-page-1/#comment-74308 Matt Thu, 20 Sep 2007 18:10:56 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/#comment-74308 Super Paper Mario is a great game for the Wii and for me was an excellent "investment" in fun. I have logged over 40 hours on the game over the last 5 months and still have quite a few hours to go I think. If both you and your wife a playing you should easily get your $/hour down below $1 on this game. Unfortunately the nature of a single player game doesn't allow for much shared quality time unless one person likes watching the other person play. Super Paper Mario is a great game for the Wii and for me was an excellent “investment” in fun. I have logged over 40 hours on the game over the last 5 months and still have quite a few hours to go I think. If both you and your wife a playing you should easily get your $/hour down below $1 on this game. Unfortunately the nature of a single player game doesn’t allow for much shared quality time unless one person likes watching the other person play.

]]> By: !wanda http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/comment-page-1/#comment-74296 !wanda Thu, 20 Sep 2007 17:51:49 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/20/my-ongoing-battle-with-the-cash-in-my-pocket/#comment-74296 It's curious. There was a poster yesterday that claimed that nearly no one had the discipline to use credit cards correctly. I've never had problems with frivolous credit card spending; instead, I have your problem- I get a bunch of "yuppie food stamps" from the ATM and suddenly in a week they're gone. It’s curious. There was a poster yesterday that claimed that nearly no one had the discipline to use credit cards correctly. I’ve never had problems with frivolous credit card spending; instead, I have your problem- I get a bunch of “yuppie food stamps” from the ATM and suddenly in a week they’re gone.

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