• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

How do you pay - cash or card?

How do you pay - cash or card?

  • Always with my card

    Votes: 13 20.0%

  • Mostly with my card

    Votes: 32 49.2%

  • Mostly cash

    Votes: 16 24.6%

  • Always cash

    Votes: 3 4.6%

  • I can't decide

    Votes: 1 1.5%
  • Total voters
    65
DaveFagan said:
I'm retired, but I buy and sell. There's nothing like cash to buy and sell. It makes everything a little cheaper. Consistently.
Click to expand...

You can't really haggle when the vendor has access to the full balance of your credit card. Cash does improve your capacity to negotiate. I don't think a shrewd money manager could deny that.
 
I use cards mostly for online payments. Also, for very large lump sum payments because I don't like carrying a lot of cash on me.

But most of the time, like in everyday purchases -> when eating out, or going to the supermarket or whatever, cash.
I usually keep some money on my cards at all times just in case... but rarely enough to be able to buy rather costly things online but enough to have to make supermarket payments if I forget to carry cash on me.

I never, ever, carry credit cards or get credit cards. Just debit cards. I was offered a credit card from both banks that I have accounts at, I rejected both. No thank you... no credit cards for me.
 
Canell said:
Hi all

Simple question here: do you pay cash or with your card? :)

I would say that paying with a card is quite dangerous in terms of privacy - the bank knows all your moves and habits, what you buy, where you go and when you go. I'm not comfortable with that to say the least.

So, what do you think? :wink2:
Click to expand...

Sounds like paranoia. Do you really believe that your bank cares what your moves and habits are? Maybe for marketing purposes, but beyond that.....
 
americanwoman said:
Most everything with card, heck I just bought a car with a credit card. We were just looking for a small 1-2 year loan to get a nice used car and when the girl offered a 0% interest credit card for 12 months I was sold. It was a little tricky finding a dealer that took the card without hesitation but it worked out. A lot of people I told were surprised you could buy a car with a credit card, I didn't even think about it either until the girl at the bank mentioned it.
Click to expand...

I have bought several cars using a credit card. The financing for a credit card was superior to car loans just a few years ago but now 72 and 84 month car loans are available. Car dealers have to pay a transaction fee when you use a credit card to pay for a car. I'm sure it would be common for a car dealership or businesses selling big ticket items to refuse credit card payment. A lot of credit cards give out cash advance checks that allows you to pay for things without costing the vendor the credit card processing fee. Car dealership will quickly take those checks as payment.

The monthly payment of a $10,000, 60 month, 6% loan is $193.33 per month. The monthly payment of a $10,000 balance on a credit card is $200 a month but you can buy $200 of gas on that same card, then pay $200 payment on that same card. You basically avoided making a car payment that month. The credit card offers a very flexible form of financing but :stop: don't abuse that flexibility, it can get you in serious trouble.
 
Canell said:
Hi all

Simple question here: do you pay cash or with your card? :)

I would say that paying with a card is quite dangerous in terms of privacy - the bank knows all your moves and habits, what you buy, where you go and when you go. I'm not comfortable with that to say the least.

So, what do you think? :wink2:
Click to expand...

I pay everything possible with my credit card, and pay the balance off every month. My cable, cell phone, monthly donations, medical insurance, electric, every monthly bill that offers it? I put on my credit card. The cash I carry, which I might replenish every month or so, is mostly used for tipping.

Every once in a while, my credit card habit saves the day when I dispute a charge for one reason or another. I earn points to spend on Amazon.com from my purchases. That probably amounts to $50 a month or so. I pay off my card every month.

It's safer to carry a credit card than cash. Plus no stops at an ATM. Don't even have an ATM card.

I couldn't care less that "the bank" knows what I buy. Why should I?
 
vasuderatorrent said:
The monthly payment of a $10,000, 60 month, 6% loan is $193.33 per month. The monthly payment of a $10,000 balance on a credit card is $200 a month but you can buy $200 of gas on that same card, then pay $200 payment on that same card. You basically avoided making a car payment that month. The credit card offers a very flexible form of financing but :stop: don't abuse that flexibility, it can get you in serious trouble.
Click to expand...

Very true. We took out a small one for $5,000.00, used only $4,000.00 of it and then after the purchase cut up the card. We then just basically divided the 4000 by 12 and set up a monthly recurring payment for about that amount. This is my biggest debt right now after my mortgage, I like to pay in full for most every purchase, what is the point of having a bunch of fancy stuff you don't even own?
 
americanwoman said:
Very true. We took out a small one for $5,000.00, used only $4,000.00 of it and then after the purchase cut up the card. We then just basically divided the 4000 by 12 and set up a monthly recurring payment for about that amount. This is my biggest debt right now after my mortgage, I like to pay in full for most every purchase, what is the point of having a bunch of fancy stuff you don't even own?
Click to expand...

Did you make perfect payments all 12 months? ;)
 
Debt is a dirty four letter word with me. I was shocked to read that the average credit card debt in this country is over 15,000. I budget a certain amount each month to run the household in cash. I use the card for unforeseen expenses and major purchases and it gets paid off every month. My goal is to have cash left over out of the household budget each month. This money goes into the Fun Ticket Jar. The more frugal I am with my spending, the more fun tickets without having to dip into savings. I've turned into a coupon cutting mama. I avoid paying full price for anything and its paid off. pun intended.
 
Ooooo....to be fair...I tend to call a debit card a credit card.

95+% of all my non-cash purchases are using my debit card.

I assume from the OP's conspiracy point of view - it's the same thing.
 
I use my debit card for everything. There is not a single dollar in my wallet. We do keep cash in our safe in case of emergency, but never touch it otherwise. I have found it is easier and safer to use the card. Not to mention I don't get bums asking for money outside the gas station anymore because they see me paying with my card.

The only downfall is my favorite hamburger joint doesn't take debit/credit cards. On the rare occasion I go in there I may stop by the bank and pull out a couple bucks.
 
Cash only. I'd pay with the neighbors chickens if I could. People just don't appreciate a good chicken these days.
 
Since the gist of the OP seemed to be more related to tracking of purchases than to carry debt I answered ""mostly card" but in my case I mean debit card. It's more convienent than cash and allows me to easily keep an eye on where my money is going.

We got into trouble with debt when we were just married kids. Now the only debt we carry is the mortgage. Every thing else gets paid with money in the bank.
 
Dirt Racer said:
I use my debit card for everything.
Click to expand...
Dragonfly said:
Ooooo....to be fair...I tend to call a debit card a credit card. 95+% of all my non-cash purchases are using my debit card.
Click to expand...
Gaius46 said:
Since the gist of the OP seemed to be more related to tracking of purchases than to carry debt I answered ""mostly card" but in my case I mean debit card.
Click to expand...
HOLY @*)#&ING #)$(&*!! That's incredibly risky.

If your debit card number manages to get itself stolen, you're held directly liable for the crook's purchases because it's linked directly to your bank account. Even if you keep little money in the account or have "identity theft" insurance - your bank and your insurance will still go after you. Their lawyers trot out the "You should have known better and used credit," and you have no counter argument. It'll further destroy your credit history and you'll never be able to borrow money / have credit again.

It's why credit is 1,000x safer. The crook is using your credit, but the credit card company's money. Those companies take out insurance on identity theft, actively screen for fraudulent purchases and will be inclined to forgive you if you are able to quickly report the fraud. Basically you're enlisting the resources of the credit card to protect you.

In addition - your "safety precautions" don't matter one stinking bit. Today's crooks do not go after you - they go after the gas stations, stores, restaurants and utility companies. That's because almost every company today stores your debit/credit information (without your consent or knowledge) and fails to sufficiently protect the information. It's mind-blowingly easy for a crooked employee to attach a skimmer to the card reader or for someone to hack a company database and sell the data. It sucks, because there's NOTHING you can do to prevent it.
 
Last edited:
brothern said:
HOLY @*)#&ING #)$(&*!! That's incredibly risky.

If your debit card number manages to get itself stolen, you're held directly liable for the crook's purchases because it's linked directly to your bank account. Even if you keep little money in the account or have "identity theft" insurance - your bank and your insurance will still go after you. Their lawyers trot out the "You should have known better and used credit," and you have no counter argument. It'll further destroy your credit history and you'll never be able to borrow money / have credit again.

It's why credit is 1,000x safer. The crook is using your credit, but the credit card company's money. Those companies take out insurance on identity theft, actively screen for fraudulent purchases and will be inclined to forgive you if you are able to quickly report the fraud. Basically you're enlisting the resources of the credit card to protect you.

In addition - your "safety precautions" don't matter one stinking bit. Today's crooks do not go after you - they go after the gas stations, stores, restaurants and utility companies. That's because almost every company today stores your debit/credit information (without your consent or knowledge) and fails to sufficiently protect the information. It's mind-blowingly easy for a crooked employee to attach a skimmer to the card reader or for someone to hack a company database and sell the data. It sucks, because there's NOTHING you can do to prevent it.
Click to expand...

You are right it is risky. For that reason I don't keep much in that account and I have another account I draw from to replenish. My Direct Deposits go into the alternate account. I also check my credit report often enough to make sure no one is nailing me.

My credit score is in the low 800's right now with no signs of identity theft ( knock on wood ) We just checked as we are getting ready to buy a new home.
 
Canell said:
They track random bank-notes? :shock:
Click to expand...

the stores have cameras, the stores keep copies of receipts. if "they" wanted to, "they" could track you with cash purchases almost as easily as with card purchases.
 
I've been in the military for 29 years. The gubbermint has had my fingerprints on file since 1984. They've had a DNA sample on file since the mid 90s. If they wanted to track me, they could use satelites (I've seen google earth images of my house where you can freakin read my license plate number). Using cash instead of a debit/credit card (FWIW the only credit card I have is my govt travel card the army forces me to have) does very little to prevent big brother from knowing where I am or what I am doing (if they really cared to find out)

an added bonus of never carrying cash: any time some hobo or bum asks me for money, I can honestly tell them that I don't have any cash.
 
Gaius46 said:
We got into trouble with debt when we were just married kids. Now the only debt we carry is the mortgage. Every thing else gets paid with money in the bank.
Click to expand...

I think most of us have been there at one time or another. When I was young and dumb, I had a taste for prime rib on a hamburger budget. Now I can afford the prime rib and ironically am very content with hamburger much of the time.
 
brothern said:
HOLY @*)#&ING #)$(&*!! That's incredibly risky.

If your debit card number manages to get itself stolen, you're held directly liable for the crook's purchases because it's linked directly to your bank account. Even if you keep little money in the account or have "identity theft" insurance - your bank and your insurance will still go after you. Their lawyers trot out the "You should have known better and used credit," and you have no counter argument. It'll further destroy your credit history and you'll never be able to borrow money / have credit again.

It's why credit is 1,000x safer. The crook is using your credit, but the credit card company's money. Those companies take out insurance on identity theft, actively screen for fraudulent purchases and will be inclined to forgive you if you are able to quickly report the fraud. Basically you're enlisting the resources of the credit card to protect you.

In addition - your "safety precautions" don't matter one stinking bit. Today's crooks do not go after you - they go after the gas stations, stores, restaurants and utility companies. That's because almost every company today stores your debit/credit information (without your consent or knowledge) and fails to sufficiently protect the information. It's mind-blowingly easy for a crooked employee to attach a skimmer to the card reader or for someone to hack a company database and sell the data. It sucks, because there's NOTHING you can do to prevent it.
Click to expand...


OKAY - if you really want to get completely technical, it's a credit card/debit card bank card.
Backed by VISA.

When asked by cashiers if I want debit or credit I always chose credit.
The bottom line is, the funds are always immediately pulled directly from my bank account.
I don't incur any interest debt or wrack up any debt.

This is exactly the same card I had stolen once and the bank covered 100% of the charges by the thief.

Same thing also happened to my wife before we were married. Her card was stolen. Bank covered it all.
 
brothern said:
HOLY @*)#&ING #)$(&*!! That's incredibly risky.

If your debit card number manages to get itself stolen, you're held directly liable for the crook's purchases because it's linked directly to your bank account. Even if you keep little money in the account or have "identity theft" insurance - your bank and your insurance will still go after you. Their lawyers trot out the "You should have known better and used credit," and you have no counter argument. It'll further destroy your credit history and you'll never be able to borrow money / have credit again.

It's why credit is 1,000x safer. The crook is using your credit, but the credit card company's money. Those companies take out insurance on identity theft, actively screen for fraudulent purchases and will be inclined to forgive you if you are able to quickly report the fraud. Basically you're enlisting the resources of the credit card to protect you.

In addition - your "safety precautions" don't matter one stinking bit. Today's crooks do not go after you - they go after the gas stations, stores, restaurants and utility companies. That's because almost every company today stores your debit/credit information (without your consent or knowledge) and fails to sufficiently protect the information. It's mind-blowingly easy for a crooked employee to attach a skimmer to the card reader or for someone to hack a company database and sell the data. It sucks, because there's NOTHING you can do to prevent it.
Click to expand...

At least in my case with my bank - Citibank - this is not the true. I've contested three unauthorized usages of my debit over the last 5 or 6 years and Citi reversed every one of them. The most recent I forgot my card in a gas pump and some later customer charged $150 worth of gas to fill three of his cars to it. The pump asks for your billing zip code and since the station is around the block from my home the thief guessed the correct zip code.

Citibank issued a provisional credit within a day of my emailing them the form they wanted and made it permanent within a couple of weeks.
 
Dragonfly said:
OKAY - if you really want to get completely technical, it's a credit card/debit card bank card.
Backed by VISA.

When asked by cashiers if I want debit or credit I always chose credit.
The bottom line is, the funds are always immediately pulled directly from my bank account.
I don't incur any interest debt or wrack up any debt.

This is exactly the same card I had stolen once and the bank covered 100% of the charges by the thief.

Same thing also happened to my wife before we were married. Her card was stolen. Bank covered it all.
Click to expand...

same here.
 
Dragonfly said:
Ooooo....to be fair...I tend to call a debit card a credit card.

95+% of all my non-cash purchases are using my debit card.

I assume from the OP's conspiracy point of view - it's the same thing.
Click to expand...

Yes, by "card" I meant credit OR debit card. For the record id doesn't matter. ;)

brothern said:
HOLY @*)#&ING #)$(&*!! That's incredibly risky.

If your debit card number manages to get itself stolen, you're held directly liable for the crook's purchases because it's linked directly to your bank account.
Click to expand...

On this side of the pond (Europe) when you buy something with a card you are asked to enter PIN. How would someone that stole your card or card number know your PIN if it is in your head only? :roll:
 
Canell said:
Yes, by "card" I meant credit OR debit card. For the record id doesn't matter. ;)



On this side of the pond (Europe) when you buy something with a card you are asked to enter PIN. How would someone that stole your card or card number know your PIN if it is in your head only? :roll:
Click to expand...

In the U.S. debit cards can work as credit cards and be processed through the VISA or MasterCard systems. In that case a PIN isn't required. The only time you must use a PIN is if you go to an ATM. Though some places - it seems random to me - require entering the billing address zip code for purchase done through the VISA or MasterCard systems.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom