Am I the only one?

[herm4]

That has never used an ATM? Honestly I have never used one and when I tell people that, they always seem so shocked. What's so great about ATM's anyway?

[Broken Arrow]

I used to use ATMs quite a bit, because I started out my financial turnaround using cash. Until my budget an personal financial method was ironed out, it was just easier to keep track of everything with cash.

Afterwards, I moved on to a credit union where I continued to use cash to some degree, but moved my savings there to earn interest. ATMs were my primary source of obtaining cash.

Today, I keep my debit card in my safe. I almost never use it, but I still keep it just in case. My personal finance is nearly cashless now.

To be fair, I think ATMs do serve their purpose, especially if you're still using cash. They were also a convenient way of depositing my paycheck until I had direct deposit. Otherwise... I must admit I have no need for them now. So, I guess you're not the only one!

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I really can't recall whether or not I've used one in the last 27 years. Funny not to know for sure, but I don't. I used them almost exclusively for banking back when I was 16-21. But I --oh wait, I think I do remember standing in the entry way at my bank using one a few years ago. I changed local banks two years ago and I know I haven't used one since then. I could use them all over with no fee, yet I do most transactions with credit card and don't find that to be slow, unpleasant, or inconvenient to deal with a bank employee face to face once in a while. What can I say? I'm pro human interaction, despite all the time I spend on the internet theses days.

[sweeps]

I got in the habit of using an ATM when I was with a big bank and they actually started charging to see a teller. It wasn't worth $3 to withdraw or deposit money at my own bank. I'm no longer with that bank (and they rescinded the fee later anyway), but the habit was established.

[Aleta]

I had never used one either. During the month, I use my emergency cash money and I write a check to myself for total cash money spent during the month. Some people use the ATM's weekly or when the money runs out. Writing out just one check monthly sort of made it easier to have less paper work and it made it easier to document money spent. Then, I started thinking that to use the ATM once a month would eliminate the check and I could take care of it at the bank or for an emergency and fee, I could use it somewhere else. The only thing is that it has to be in 20's, and I'm pretty exact when I cash out the check.

[MonkeyMama]

I use them out of convenience, but for the most part I am not a big ATM person. I didn't get an ATM card until I was 25 or something. I don't know. I used to get paid in cash a lot so I never needed an ATM. Some point out of college I got an ATM card.

These days if I need cash (very rare) I go the drive-thru ATM down the street from my work. It is just very convenient. But we mostly use our cards and with absolutely everyone taking credit cards these days I pretty much feel little need to carry cash and make ATM trips.

[DebbieL]

Yes, you are, lol.

I use them all the time because I deal with an online bank that has ATM privileges with a large national bank (same ownership I guess). I use ATMs for free, get free chequing, no fee account, I can also use my debit card for shopping with no fees. My bank account literally costs me nothing. I haven't been to a teller (other than the banking I do for my boss at work) in years.

[safari]

I use an ATM every 3-6 months to withdraw a few hundreds for small expenses, like parking, occasional lunch with friends, etc. I always pay with a credit card whenever I can, so that cash lasts me a long time. When I travel abroad, I always use my debit card to withdraw money at a local ATM, which is a lot cheaper than using a currency exchange company.

[Ima saver]

I have never used an ATM in my life. I also do not have a debit card. I deal in cash only.

[Aleta]

Safari: That's really a great idea to use it every 3-6 months. Sometimes it is a pain for me to just write out for 1 month. I like your idea. Thanks!

[disneysteve]

I never want to go back to banking without an ATM. I very rarely set foot inside my bank and it is usually only when I need to get change for an upcoming yard sale or something like that. Everything else is done at the ATM. In fact, at 2 local branches, I don't even need to get out of the car. I drive right up, make my deposit and I'm off.

I distinctly remember standing in endless lines with my mom or dad when I was younger waiting to do some basic transaction that can now all be done electronically in a fraction of the time.

[Like2Plan]

I resisted using the ATM for years and years. We have always had a bank account in a credit union not locally located. We used direct deposit for our checks, and we would mail any odd check we received to the bank. For our cash needs we wrote a check once a week at a club to which DH belonged.

After we cancelled our club membership, I decided to use the ATM instead. Our credit union reimburses us for the ATM fees so it doesn't cost anything. One of the reasons I didn't like ATMs was because I was concerned about forgetting to record an ATM transaction. But, since I am the only one who has a card and I take out the same amount each week (it is DH's and my allowance), I have it set to be a scheduled transaction on my Quicken software.

Interestingly enough, they had a news item last night about overdraft fees. They said the group most likely to get hit with overdraft fees was the younger set (18 to 24). The reason they gave was younger folks are more likely to use debit cards (and use it for smaller amounts). The 18 to 24 group pay more than $3 for every $1 borrowed for debit overdrafts.
link to story...

Young adults pay $1B annually in overdraft fees

bank overdraft fees

[jodi]

Like Disneysteve, I'm afraid I couldn't live without an ATM. I use it once or twice a week for deposits and to take money out - it's right down the street from my job. Being a real estate agent with commission checks, and DH being a substitute teacher with different schools, we have a fair amount of checks that cannot be direct deposited, so we have to take them to the bank. I love the convenience of driving up to the ATM and dropping them off in about a minute. No deposit slips needed when you use the ATM!

[herm4]

O.K. so I see a few people, like me, have never used an ATM. I feel better about that. I think my intial problem with the thought of using one, was the fact that, there was some sort of transaction fee and I was too cheap to pay it . That was twenty years ago.....

[disneysteve]

there was some sort of transaction fee and I was too cheap to pay it

I am also too cheap to pay a fee so I will ONLY use an ATM from my own bank. There is no fee for that. It amazes me how many people just go to the nearest ATM to take out $20 or $40 and pay a $3 fee to do so. What a waste.