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Buying things with cash

Nabooly said:
I almost always use my credit cards. I have 3 of them: Discover more, Express, and Chase slate. I use the discover for almost everything. The chase is just there for "emergencies" because of the generously high limit Chase gave me. :cool:

I love my Discover card, I just wish that the categories stayed the same 5% gas year round would be amazing. Instead they have revolving categories every few months like groceries and restaurants....basically anywhere you will most likely use the cards.

My debit card stays in my wallet almost always. I never touch it cause it gives me zero benefit to use it.

The key is to pay in full every month. Never spend what isn't in your bank account. If you live paycheck to paycheck that's when CCs are a horrible deal and that's how people get into debt.

Cash is a huge inconvenience. I hate when people go from store to store at the mall and pull out their wallets at the counter and haveto fiddle with the bills. Or when they take their time looking for "exact change" like they're going to be saving money. :rolleyes:
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I'd rather use cash and know that it's paid for and I don't have to worry about it. I use exact change just so that I can get rid of some change in my wallet. Cash may be a huge inconvenience for you, but it's convenient for me because I don't have to worry about anything after the transaction. I bet that I could get exact change before you log in to your website and pay off your credit card.
 
iBookG4user said:
I'd rather use cash and know that it's paid for and I don't have to worry about it. I use exact change just so that I can get rid of some change in my wallet. Cash may be a huge inconvenience for you, but it's convenient for me because I don't have to worry about anything after the transaction. I bet that I could get exact change before you log in to your website and pay off your credit card.
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Since I use my card, I never have change which is why it's convenient. It eliminates bulging pockets. Plus it's easier to sit on a card wallet than a full bi or tri-fold wallet. :D
 
I tend to only carry at the most $30 cash on my wallet, not more. Too many thieves these days. I always have my low amount ATM w/ me if I need to get out an extra 100.

I pay everything w/ my VISA, from things that cost a buck (detest carrying change) to health insurance and other monthly things. I get a small reward and by paying w/ the CC I have until the next month to pay it. I pay my monthly VISA bill in full MONTHLY, never in payments.

My main VISA card is around twice as much as the things it gets charged monthly and is a great way to have some solid credit score; I'm 27 and have a very good credit score. The second VISA I own is for anything I might need to buy that is big.

Also, you should ALWAYS buy big ticket items w/ CC. Most give you extra warranties & benefits (like car rental insurance and many other things) and if there is any issue w/ the store you can always tell them to fight for you the battle if needed. Also using CC is easier to know where your money went to and my VISA gets paid monthly automatically from my Savings account so I never forget, because my bank does it for me and sends me a confirmation of payment.
 
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Credit Cards are not used here in the Netherlands that much.
Nearly every shop has a PIN machine, now more than 90% of all transactions are by PIN.
I mostly carry €20 in my wallet.

I use my credit card for transactions over the internet via PayPal, and for holidays.
 
senseless said:
Most new cars are sold with manufacturer subsidized interest rates, but some give you a rebate if you choose to pay cash. Sometimes the dealer has more flexibility with price, if you pay cash, but it depends on the car.

It's a waste to turn down 1% for 4 years, if that's the only option. In that case, you may want to take the financing and invest your money in a safe dividend yielding utility stock.
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Gotta love these revived threads!

I agree with the above. The decision to pay cash up front, finance, or some combination of the two should depend on the interest rate the lender is offering compared to the rate you can earn on your money by investing it.

BTW, I buy nearly everything on credit, but pay off my account in full each month. The points (mostly used for travel) and extended warranties are great. However, I agree with those who say that credit cards can trap you into overspending if you're not careful, and the interest rates are high.
 
I think it would be really interesting to look at a study where people's spending habits were compared when using debit vs credit cards.
 
marrlinee said:
I'm looking to buy a new car with cash up front. Preferably the kia optima, a honda accord or Honda civic. I want to know what's the best way to go about this ?
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I smell spam. Joined this month, 1 post, about car purchase, on MacRumors, in an old thread...

Or am I being paranoid?
 
I use a credit card because it helps me to know exactly what I'm spending, on what, when and where. I don't care about interest rates because I never subject myself to them. I treat a credit card purchase just like writing a check or making a an ATM cash withdrawal, as an immediate expense that draws down my cash balance. All my credit cards have cash rebates, with featured categories (gas, groceries, etc) at higher rebate rates.

I very rarely use cash. I can have a $20 in my wallet and not use it for a month. I don't like using cash because it is harder to trace and account for expenditures.
 
Nabooly said:
My debit card stays in my wallet almost always. I never touch it cause it gives me zero benefit to use it.
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One benefit is that you'll have no debt after you leave the store. CC = debt even if you do pay it off every month. With a debit card, it's like cash only faster. Yea you pay it off, but that's still something you have to account for at the end of the month IMO.

Nabooly said:
Cash is a huge inconvenience. I hate when people go from store to store at the mall and pull out their wallets at the counter and haveto fiddle with the bills. Or when they take their time looking for "exact change" like they're going to be saving money. :rolleyes:
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But cash is the safest route. Look at gas stations, some don't take CC or debit. Or some will charge you to use debit. Cash is the safest bet there.

A bit extreme, but what if the store power goes out and they no way of processing a CC? Like I said, extreme, but is possible.

People pulling out cash even with exact change isn't that big of deal. It takes what 30 seconds to find exact change? And even less just for a twenty or w/e. If 30 seconds is an inconvenience for you, I suggest you slow down a bit and take a breath :D

One thing that is truly annoying are people who write checks.

To each his/her own.
 
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