http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317 A recent report from the American Bankers Association says that credit cards and debit cards are Americans' first choices when paying, while cash and checks combine for less than half of consumers' monthly payments. Do you still use cash and checks?&nbsp; How often do you use credit cards and debit cards? I know people who use debit or credit cards at the drive up window for fast food purchases, which I think is a bit excessive. I only use checks for paying bills, but I have started paying as many bills as possible online using a bill pay service through my bank, which is quicker, more efficient and allows me to pay a bill right when I am thinking about it and decreases the chance I will forget about it. Stores have to pay extra for services allowing customers to use credit cards or debit cards and some have raised prices or added per-purchase surcharges for paying with plastic. A recent report from the American Bankers Association says that credit cards and debit cards are Americans' first choices when paying, while cash and checks combine for less than half of consumers' monthly payments. Do you still use cash and checks?&nbsp; How often do you use credit cards and debit cards? I know people who use debit or credit cards at the drive up window for fast food purchases, which I think is a bit excessive. I only use checks for paying bills, but I have started paying as many bills as possible online using a bill pay service through my bank, which is quicker, more efficient and allows me to pay a bill right when I am thinking about it and decreases the chance I will forget about it. Stores have to pay extra for services allowing customers to use credit cards or debit cards and some have raised prices or added per-purchase surcharges for paying with plastic. en-us Mon, 23 Jul 2007 09:07:38 PDT Still use some cash, but more and more debit.&nbsp; Checks only for mortgage payments, cable bills, etc.&nbsp;&nbsp; If they want to charge me for debit card use I'll pay it if I'm rushed, and then cross that store off my list of places I spend money. http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_119886 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_119886 Still use some cash, but more and more debit.&nbsp; Checks only for mortgage payments, cable bills, etc.&nbsp;&nbsp; If they want to charge me for debit card use I'll pay it if I'm rushed, and then cross that store off my list of places I spend money. <p>I use online banking to pay bills and debit cards for all other expenses. All most never use my credit card, which is paid off. If I do use the credit card, as soon as I get back home, I make an online payment to avoid finance charges/interest.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_119891 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_119891 <p>I use online banking to pay bills and debit cards for all other expenses. All most never use my credit card, which is paid off. If I do use the credit card, as soon as I get back home, I make an online payment to avoid finance charges/interest.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>It gets a bit irritating waiting in line at the grocery store waiting for someone (sorry, usually an old person)&nbsp;to fill out a check.&nbsp; I should be more patient and accepting of old people.&nbsp; I'm not exactly a young kid anymore myself.&nbsp; And, age is an equal opportunity destroyer.&nbsp; </p> <p>Sooner or later, I'll slip even futher behind the times than having a cell phone that doesn't double as a multi-media center with a built-in everything.&nbsp; I know its hard to teach an old dog new tricks, but check-writing, in my book (no pun intended), is positively antediluvian.&nbsp; </p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_119897 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_119897 <p>It gets a bit irritating waiting in line at the grocery store waiting for someone (sorry, usually an old person)&nbsp;to fill out a check.&nbsp; I should be more patient and accepting of old people.&nbsp; I'm not exactly a young kid anymore myself.&nbsp; And, age is an equal opportunity destroyer.&nbsp; </p> <p>Sooner or later, I'll slip even futher behind the times than having a cell phone that doesn't double as a multi-media center with a built-in everything.&nbsp; I know its hard to teach an old dog new tricks, but check-writing, in my book (no pun intended), is positively antediluvian.&nbsp; </p> <p>Now, I'm just the opposite.&nbsp; I <em>will not</em> use a debit card or set up automatic bill payments.&nbsp;&nbsp;I've never made an online payment, but have arranged a few electronic payments by telephone in a pinch.&nbsp; If I find myself in such a pinch needing to make&nbsp;a payment ASAP, it's my own fault.</p> <p>Cash, credit card (pay in full) and occasional check for me.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_119900 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_119900 <p>Now, I'm just the opposite.&nbsp; I <em>will not</em> use a debit card or set up automatic bill payments.&nbsp;&nbsp;I've never made an online payment, but have arranged a few electronic payments by telephone in a pinch.&nbsp; If I find myself in such a pinch needing to make&nbsp;a payment ASAP, it's my own fault.</p> <p>Cash, credit card (pay in full) and occasional check for me.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>And Doc, don't overestimate age.&nbsp; I'm just a kilometer away from the big 5-0 myself, and got my 5K run down to 20:36 last weekend.&nbsp; (Was hoping to break 20, but didn't quite make it.)</p> <p>If I can get back down to where I was for my 50th birthday, I'll be in position to win some serious medals.</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_119905 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_119905 <p>And Doc, don't overestimate age.&nbsp; I'm just a kilometer away from the big 5-0 myself, and got my 5K run down to 20:36 last weekend.&nbsp; (Was hoping to break 20, but didn't quite make it.)</p> <p>If I can get back down to where I was for my 50th birthday, I'll be in position to win some serious medals.</p> <p>Well, we're all old to somebody.&nbsp; Even my 2-year old&nbsp;seems old&nbsp;to the wee little babies.&nbsp; Even as I'm writing this I got a little carpal tunnel spasm in my wrist.&nbsp; I know that it's not necessarily a function of old age, but I think as we age, every physical condition seems to be worse.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <p>It's great that you're staying in good shape.&nbsp; I'm trying to do the same, and have had a modicum of success of late.&nbsp; You are a great role model for all other folks who are approaching 50.&nbsp; In the race to 50, I'm behind you, but only by a few years.</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_119928 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_119928 <p>Well, we're all old to somebody.&nbsp; Even my 2-year old&nbsp;seems old&nbsp;to the wee little babies.&nbsp; Even as I'm writing this I got a little carpal tunnel spasm in my wrist.&nbsp; I know that it's not necessarily a function of old age, but I think as we age, every physical condition seems to be worse.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <p>It's great that you're staying in good shape.&nbsp; I'm trying to do the same, and have had a modicum of success of late.&nbsp; You are a great role model for all other folks who are approaching 50.&nbsp; In the race to 50, I'm behind you, but only by a few years.</p> <p>Ever since the beginning of bill-pay on line - I've been hooked. I never opps missed a payment, because of setting up re-occurring payments. If by chance a company didn't receive a payment all I have to do is call the on-line bank center and they take care of everything. I never worry about carrying cash just an I.D. and my ATM/Debit/Visa or Mastercard . All expenses show up immediately to my checking account. It's Wonderful....I wouldn't have it any other way....The only thing I don't like is the little fees some places charge you to use the ATM, they already have mark-up on their items to begin with......but I pay them, because I want the items they're selling.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_119929 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_119929 <p>Ever since the beginning of bill-pay on line - I've been hooked. I never opps missed a payment, because of setting up re-occurring payments. If by chance a company didn't receive a payment all I have to do is call the on-line bank center and they take care of everything. I never worry about carrying cash just an I.D. and my ATM/Debit/Visa or Mastercard . All expenses show up immediately to my checking account. It's Wonderful....I wouldn't have it any other way....The only thing I don't like is the little fees some places charge you to use the ATM, they already have mark-up on their items to begin with......but I pay them, because I want the items they're selling.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> 20:36, not bad, Hardliner. I didn't run much faster as a not-so-good, not-so-serious cross country runner in high school &mdash; and with a decline in my physical fitness in recent years, you could probably kick the tar out of me despite being old enough to be my dad (no offense intended, I just can't see my dad beating me in a footrace). http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_119932 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_119932 20:36, not bad, Hardliner. I didn't run much faster as a not-so-good, not-so-serious cross country runner in high school &mdash; and with a decline in my physical fitness in recent years, you could probably kick the tar out of me despite being old enough to be my dad (no offense intended, I just can't see my dad beating me in a footrace). my mom still pays by hard paper check...going shopping w/ her can be a killer...I normally just whip out the debit card and tell her to write me the check to cover the exp. Thus hurrying up the line. http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_119941 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_119941 my mom still pays by hard paper check...going shopping w/ her can be a killer...I normally just whip out the debit card and tell her to write me the check to cover the exp. Thus hurrying up the line. When I'm shopping at a store I like, meaning one I shop at often and where the store owner is the one at the counter, I make an effort to pay cash, because that way they don't have to pay that 2 percent to the credit card company. This tends to not happen with larger purchases (in the $50+ range) because I don't tend to carry that much cash.<br /> <br /> I'd like to cut back on card usage entirely, because I'm sure that 2 percent fee means stores have to raise their prices to make their same margin. But my good intentions rarely manifest in actual cash payments. http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_119987 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_119987 When I'm shopping at a store I like, meaning one I shop at often and where the store owner is the one at the counter, I make an effort to pay cash, because that way they don't have to pay that 2 percent to the credit card company. This tends to not happen with larger purchases (in the $50+ range) because I don't tend to carry that much cash.<br /> <br /> I'd like to cut back on card usage entirely, because I'm sure that 2 percent fee means stores have to raise their prices to make their same margin. But my good intentions rarely manifest in actual cash payments. One place i refuse to use credit cards (unless in a dire emergency) is bars. I hate leaving a credit card open behind the bar and it's a bit silly to keep cashing out with each round. I got quite angry at Chalet Basque one night when they couldn't find my card when I wanted to leave. http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_119999 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_119999 One place i refuse to use credit cards (unless in a dire emergency) is bars. I hate leaving a credit card open behind the bar and it's a bit silly to keep cashing out with each round. I got quite angry at Chalet Basque one night when they couldn't find my card when I wanted to leave. I love using debit cards in lieu of cash, although I will pay cash on small purchases.<br /> <br /> I write checks for monthly bills because I like the control.&nbsp; There's a couple which are automatically paid online but I don't want to be caught empty handed because a company wanted my money before I actually get it. http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_120343 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_120343 I love using debit cards in lieu of cash, although I will pay cash on small purchases.<br /> <br /> I write checks for monthly bills because I like the control.&nbsp; There's a couple which are automatically paid online but I don't want to be caught empty handed because a company wanted my money before I actually get it. <p>It depends on how low my balance is.&nbsp; If things are getting tight, I'll write checks.&nbsp; It's too easy to use the debit card.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_120347 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_120347 <p>It depends on how low my balance is.&nbsp; If things are getting tight, I'll write checks.&nbsp; It's too easy to use the debit card.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Is there something stronger then plastic?&nbsp;If so then they need to start making my debit/credit card out of it! &nbsp;Is there such a thing as cruilty to a credit/debit card?&nbsp; Mine is over&nbsp;worked and worn to a frasile.&nbsp;&nbsp;Any cash that is found&nbsp;in this house is usually snatched up quickly since I have teenagers and it is much safer to give them&nbsp;cash rather then the card.&nbsp; I ordered checks years ago and recently have noticed that I have still have more then a half of a box left.&nbsp; The last&nbsp;time I wrote a check out recently was ... hum I can't remember. </p> <p>Now my&nbsp;78 &amp; 79 year old parents write checks out all the time.&nbsp; At&nbsp;Costco,&nbsp;Vons,&nbsp;at&nbsp;the doctors everywhere... Recently we were over in Pismo and my mother went to buy a hanging flag from the local flag store over there and they would not take her check.&nbsp; ((Now I am not saying that my mother looks like someone who would bounce a check&nbsp;or be an identy theft))&nbsp;The flag store no longer takes checks.&nbsp;It only Cash or Credit.&nbsp; </p> <p>Strangest thing I bought with my worn out credit/debit card was a tattoo yes I said a tattoo.&nbsp; Smallest thing I bought with my credit card was a 44oz soda at McDonalds for .74 cents.&nbsp;</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_126288 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/schuster80/12317/#c_126288 <p>Is there something stronger then plastic?&nbsp;If so then they need to start making my debit/credit card out of it! &nbsp;Is there such a thing as cruilty to a credit/debit card?&nbsp; Mine is over&nbsp;worked and worn to a frasile.&nbsp;&nbsp;Any cash that is found&nbsp;in this house is usually snatched up quickly since I have teenagers and it is much safer to give them&nbsp;cash rather then the card.&nbsp; I ordered checks years ago and recently have noticed that I have still have more then a half of a box left.&nbsp; The last&nbsp;time I wrote a check out recently was ... hum I can't remember. </p> <p>Now my&nbsp;78 &amp; 79 year old parents write checks out all the time.&nbsp; At&nbsp;Costco,&nbsp;Vons,&nbsp;at&nbsp;the doctors everywhere... Recently we were over in Pismo and my mother went to buy a hanging flag from the local flag store over there and they would not take her check.&nbsp; ((Now I am not saying that my mother looks like someone who would bounce a check&nbsp;or be an identy theft))&nbsp;The flag store no longer takes checks.&nbsp;It only Cash or Credit.&nbsp; </p> <p>Strangest thing I bought with my worn out credit/debit card was a tattoo yes I said a tattoo.&nbsp; Smallest thing I bought with my credit card was a 44oz soda at McDonalds for .74 cents.&nbsp;</p>