Who still uses cash/checks anymore?

[feh]

We use our CC whenever possible. I use cash if a purchase is less than $5. Some situations where we still write checks:

• sending payments by mail (ie. property taxes)
• groceries (our store of choice doesn't accept credit cards)
• paying debts to friends/relatives
• payment for school activities

That being said, it's been years since I've used checks for paying any monthly bill.

[disneysteve]

[*]groceries (our store of choice doesn't accept credit cards)

Wow. I can't imagine any grocery store not accepting credit cards today. Is this a little mom and pop place?

[feh]

Wow. I can't imagine any grocery store not accepting credit cards today. Is this a little mom and pop place?

No, actually it's a large warehouse with several locations. They do accept debit cards. I can only assume they aren't willing to pay the transaction fees to the CC companies. They are a low-overhead kind of place.

[bjl584]

I still write checks to pay certain bills and to send extra money to my brokerage account.

[bjl584]

The people who use checks are always those in front of me in the checkout line when I am in a hurry!

Most stores can fill out the check for you. All that you need to do is sign it.

[newguy]

I use cash for tipping in a restaurant, bar, or any services which tipping is a common courtesy.

I also use cash in certain places like in barbershop and there's still places that don't accept credit cards, or splitting bill with my friends so I always carry some cash in my wallet,

I also have a coin purse for parking meter or laundry.

I use check for anything which doesn't accept cash or card (ex. some rent doesn't accept cash or card).

[Ima saver]

I use cash and checks for everything. I don't own a debit card. Of course , I am much older than most of you.

[joshuaking]

The people who use checks are always those in front of me in the checkout line when I am in a hurry!

I resemble that remark. I do sometimes use checks at the grocery store, usually a day or two before I expect some pay to be direct deposited into my bank account. I know it's "wrong" but I use it as a short term loan. However, I usually have the check already written out, and that makes me faster than the people who use the credit/debit card machine but don't know how it works. (It says swipe card, what should I do?)

[disneysteve]

I do sometimes use checks at the grocery store, usually a day or two before I expect some pay to be direct deposited into my bank account. I know it's "wrong" but I use it as a short term loan.

Be careful about that. More and more places are switching to the instant systems that process the checks immediately. If the money isn't in the account right then, the check will get rejected.

However, I usually have the check already written out

You can only have it partly filled out in advance since you don't know the amount. You still need to write that out. With the credit card, I swipe it as soon as the cashier starts ringing up my order and I'm done. Most of the time, I don't even have to sign if the total is under $50.

[moneybags]

Wow. I can't imagine any grocery store not accepting credit cards today. Is this a little mom and pop place?

There is a large employee-owned group of grocery stores near us. They are huge stores & have the best prices. They do not take credit cards.

[siggy_freud]

FYI this is illegal. It is in direct violation of the merchant agreement with Visa/MC/Discover. They are not allowed to set a minimum purchase. If it is a place you frequent where it matters to you, contest it. Let them know that they aren't allowed to do that. Either that or you can always contact Visa/MC and report them.

I don't believe this is true anymore. I think it became legal in 2010 as part of the Wall Street reform law, and CC companies have since changed their policy.

[disneysteve]

I don't believe this is true anymore. I think it became legal in 2010 as part of the Wall Street reform law, and CC companies have since changed their policy.

You are correct. I missed that somehow. Merchants may have a minimum purchase up to $10. Thank you for the correction.

[Gailete]

I generally use my debit card when out shopping and I do a lot of banking on line. When I open my wallet I am generally surprised when I see money in it. However there are places still in my town that only accept cash or checks, my thrift store being the major one, so like for today I was happy I had $3 when I bought a 'new' sweater and 3 Oneida forks and soup spoon (10 cents each) that match my silverware design--where do those forks and spoons disappear to over the years?

[kaleida]

I use checks to pay my cleaning lady because she doesn't accept credit cards.

I use cash for tips at nail salons and hair salons.

[cypher1]

I still keep about 80-120 for cash in my wallet. Wedding/birthday gifts are probably the only times I do checks. The majority of purchases I use CC, with automatic withdrawal setup for monthly bills. While I carry my check card for ATM usage, I never use for purchases. With the recent current events IE Hurricane Sandy, I keep about 2000 for cash hidden at home. Call me paranoid, but while I mainly use CCs, I still prefer having some cash for a backup.