Reader Poll: Cash or Credit?
Saturday, April 26th, 2008 | Finance, Polls
Do you prefer to pay with cash, or with your credit or debit card? Does it depend on the purchase?
Lately I’ve become a lot more keen on being frugal and guarding against spending my money. Because I tend to spend more when I’m paying with my credit or bank cards, I’ve decided to simply withdraw the money I “allow” myself to spend on discretionary things so that I can monitor more closely how I’m spending my cash. Bank fees have also grown quite ridiculous so I may be using my bank card a lot less from now on! For online purchases, there’s always PayPal.
PS - No need to worry about identity theft, either, if you enroll with life lock.
related posts:
23 Comments to Reader Poll: Cash or Credit?
I tend to not carry cash but keep a tight watch on my spending.
I actually experienced identity theft and it’s still affecting my daily finances. I just got around to opening another bank account, but I still feel like cash is safer, especially when it comes to watching how much I spend
I use both, but usually I use card. Most of the money I make I receive straight into my account, but when I physically go into the bank I take cash out. I also give my boyfriend my card a lot to pick stuff up at work and make him bring me receipts. Cash or credit, it’s really hard for me not to spend when I know I have money. I can avoid the mall, but not small things like coffee or soda.
I try to carry a small amount of cash to control my spending. I’ll withdraw $100-$200 for the week and leave my debit and credit cards at home.
I have to use plastic for business expenses and tracking but I prefer cash. I also have been substituting a lot of pricier items or events with budget friendly ones. I don’t need to wash my face with YSL anymore when Ponds start the day cleanser works just as well. I shop at Trader Joes and pay attention to the price of items instead of grabbing. All that savings adds up as I would rather spend that extra cash on trips! Soo far its been working!
Moi xoxo
April 27, 2008
I’m a debit girl, but I’m going to be putting myself on a cash budget after watching episodes of ‘Till Debt Do Us Part in hopes of saving some money!
I usually only carry around what I think I’ll need. I do not own any credit cards and I rarely use my debit card, only if extremely necessary. I’m not a huge spender and I don’t have any ridiculous spending habits. I’m quite frugal myself and I find that I save myself a lot of money.
I don’t really have a preference. But, I rarely pay with cash, or have cash on me.
I tend to use my bank card for everything. I seldom carry cash. And I find that when I do, I spend more. I can’t keep up with receipts and tend to forget I spend something. So, using my bankcard is easier–I frequently check my online statement.
I used to use my credit card for everything since it’s just easier to get out my card and swipe it. Now, I’ve realized it’s silly to use my card if I have cash with me. So now, I take the few extra seconds to get out the dollars and cents from my purse. It may take a bit longer, but I’d rather spend money I have on me than have to pay a bill later. Also, using my card makes me think twice…Do I really need to buy this? Is it worth using my card for it? etc…So, I try to use my card only if I have zero cash with me and I really need to use it (like to buy lunch while I’m at school or something), or sometimes I’ll use my check book.
Hi Marsadie, I personally prefer spend the money with debit card. I hate credit cards, and I don’t know why, if I have cash in hand I tend to spend it all, lol.
So when I get my pay each month, I usually save some in some other account for savings.
I prefer cash. You’ve got the amount of money in your hand, you can’t spend over your funds with cash. The risk of theft, though, is higher, as it’s not that hard for people to steal cash - and it’s easier to catch a person who’s using a stolen credit card than stolen cash.
I prefer debit because I don’t like having a lot of cash on me in case I get robbed or something.
Your site is adorable
I use my check card because I can’t be bothered carrying around cash. I’ll usually only use a credit card if I get a discount, then I pay it off right away.
I like to use my debit card because I can keep track of everything online.
When I put gas, I take money out of my account and pay for it with cash. It takes a while for it to go through if I pay with my debit card, sometimes it even takes a week. In order to clear it right away, I just pay cash.
I pay my cellphone bill with my credit card. That’s the only time I use it & only to build my credit. Sometimes I let my balance build up to $400 and pay it off slowly. Sometimes I pay it off right away. It all depends on how secure I feel financially.
Well, I don’t have a credit card so it’s not like I have a choice haha. I am planning to get one, though, and the idea’s a bit scary because I hear so many cc-related horror stories. But I’ll be needing it in time for emergencies and I’m just hoping that the sensible person in me will influence the OMG I WANT THAT THAT THAT side of me, when it comes to purchasing things. Meh.
I think it depends on the purchase. At restaurants I really don’t like to hand over my credit/debit card, so I usually try and pay with cash. Anything else though, it really doesn’t matter. ![]()
I prefer CASH!
I alwsys use cash when I’m trying to budget myself, because that way it’s gone, and I’m done when my wallet is empty, haha. If I have a wad of cash on me, there’s no way I’m going to be frugal.
I always use cash. That way i can keep a close eye on how much i spend. If i used cards i think i would go bankrupt fairly quickly lol
I use cash because as of right now I am currently indebted to Bank of America for accidentally over spending. But once I get that straightened out I think I am going to use my debit card. Because when I do I can login to my online banking account and actually see where I spent my money versus it being at my beck in call in my wallet. I eventually would like to get a credit card so that I can work on my credit.
I almost always use my debit card. I’m too paranoid carrying around wads of cash in case I lose my wallet because I will never get it back.
Debit card is very useful compared to cash: like Amy said, it’s quite risky to carry cash around. But when you’re using cash, it’s easier to count how much have you spent, compared to debit card again.
I don’t have a credit card yet so I don’t know.
Leave a comment
Search
Categories
- Beauty Tips
- Celeb Coverage
- Diet Tips
- Events
- Fall Trends
- Feed Favorites
- Finance
- Fitness Bits
- Food Reviews
- Frugal Finds
- Girl Gadgetry
- Media Reviews
- Personal Digest
- Polls
- Product Reviews
- Promos
- Promote Your Blog
- Recipes
- Remedies
- Sales & Specials
- Self Improvement
- Summer Style
- Total Beauty
- Trend Watch
- Uncategorized
Archives
Favorites
- Average Metro Joe
- Beauty 411
- Beauty Addict
- Beauty Blogging Junkie
- Beauty Girl Musings
- Bella Sugar
- Beyond Beauty Basics
- Blogdorf Goodman
- Chic Is a Lifestyle
- Cybele Says
- Decadent Luxe
- Future Derm
- Hollow Star
- Hooked On Beauty
- I Like Her Style
- Kim Kardashian Make-Up Tips
- Logical Harmony
- Mahalo Fashion
- Makeup Bag
- Makeup For Life
- Mischo Beauty
- Moi XOXO
- Sparkle*Shelf
- Spoiled Pretty
- Temptalia
- The Beauty Bunny
- The Makeup Girl
- Yummy 411










April 26, 2008