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View Poll Results: How many total credit cards/debit cards to keep in wallet/purse?
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0 - what's a credit or debit card?
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0 |
0% |
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1 - simple enough
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21 |
14.89% |
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2 - a primary and a backup
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43 |
30.50% |
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3 - a primary, and two backups
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49 |
34.75% |
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4 - four or more, the more the merrier
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24 |
17.02% |
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5 - other, there's always an other option
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4 |
2.84% |
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Poll: How Many Credit/Debit Cards in the Wallet/Purse?
05-13-2012, 11:35 AM
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#1
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,406
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Poll: How Many Credit/Debit Cards in the Wallet/Purse?
I'm going soon on a trip for a niece's graduation. Traveling almost 1000 miles. Today I was lightening my wallet (putting away all those rewards cards).
Then I asked myself "How many total credit/debit cards should I bring along?"
Like most things, I'm sure there probably isn't a totally correct answer. But would like to read your opinions and of course, a poll  .
Note: for Debit card, I'm talking about a debit card of a checking account, not a giftcard.
__________________
Have you ever seen a headstone with these words
"If only I had spent more time at work" ... from "Busy Man" sung by Billy Ray Cyrus
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05-13-2012, 11:41 AM
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#2
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Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: The northernmost tip of Latin America
Posts: 10,644
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I usually carry two credit cards (visa, AmEx) and one ATM card, and some cash. When on the road I usually carry more cash and keep some in the briefcase.
__________________
It's not the cards you're dealt in life but what you do with them that matters
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05-13-2012, 11:44 AM
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#3
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,406
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As of this morning, I had 5 in my wallet. A Discover, a Mastercard bank debit card, and and three other Visa cards. But now I'm thinking, three total would be more than enough.
Though one time, in a few days timeframe, I had two rejected as the cc companies thought there was a security reason to reject them.
__________________
Have you ever seen a headstone with these words
"If only I had spent more time at work" ... from "Busy Man" sung by Billy Ray Cyrus
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05-13-2012, 11:45 AM
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#4
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 7,214
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I said two, though it's really one credit card and one ATM /debit card. I have a $100 tucked away in my wallet, but I've had to break it it out less than once a year. Like MichaelB, when I travel I carry another $300-500 in cash just in case, I can't remember ever having to use that.
I use PayPal online whenever it's an option, does that count as another? And I'm looking forward to the day when smartphone payment apps are ubiquitous and I don't need any "cards" - then I can vote ZERO.
__________________
It's a pity to waste your life living the same tiny day over and over again. James Taylor
Retired Jun 2011 at age 57
Target AA: 55% equity funds / 40% bond funds / 5% cash
approx 20% SI (secure income, SS only)
Target WR: approx 2.5%
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05-13-2012, 11:51 AM
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#5
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 234
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Carry at least 2 credit cards, each from a different bank. Years, ago, my bank placed my payment for both cards on one of the two accounts. As a result, one had a credit, the other was deliquent. So, they cut off BOTH cards just when I had taken 10 guests out to a business dinner. I learned.......two banks, so I carry a Visa card and a AMEX card........never had a problem since.
And, I always have cash as well. lots of singles, fives and tens. If you run into a problem, "tip" money fixes a lot of problems. I'm amazed at people that have to use a credit card for a cup of coffee at Starbucks.
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05-13-2012, 11:55 AM
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#6
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,511
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One credit card and one debit/ATM card. I use cash for most of what I buy so neither gets used very much, especially the debit card for purchases (last time was back in 2006 or 2008, I forget which).
__________________
Retired in late 2008 at age 45. Cashed in company stock, bought a lot of shares in a big bond fund and am living nicely off its dividends. IRA, SS, and a pension await me at age 60 and later. No kids, no debts.
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05-13-2012, 11:58 AM
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#7
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Chattanooga
Posts: 1,264
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One card for the past 30+ years and use it primarily for gas and on line purchases and pay the balance monthly and can honestly say I have never paid a penny in credit card interest.
__________________
The only thing a golfer needs is more daylight.
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05-13-2012, 12:18 PM
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#8
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Alberta/Ontario/ Arizona
Posts: 917
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3 Cdn credit cards (2 Amex, 1 Visa) :1 USD Credit card (Amex), 2 Debit cards one CDN one US. This whole cross border thing complicates it a lot. You have no idea how hard it is to get a US credit card without a SS number.
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05-13-2012, 12:22 PM
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#9
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Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,386
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 Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelB
I usually carry two credit cards (visa, AmEx) and one ATM card, and some cash. When on the road I usually carry more cash and keep some in the briefcase.
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Same here, except for the briefcase.
__________________
You should not assume that I have a clue about anything I post. If you need a lawyer, go get your own.
"Money is a good servant, but a bad master." -- Francis Bacon, Sr.
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05-13-2012, 12:49 PM
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#10
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: South Texas~29N/98W
Posts: 4,621
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Like others, I carry 2 ccs (DC and MC) and a debit/ATM card that I use mostly for occasional cash hits.
Back in the 70's I must have carried a dozen or more ccs (big fat wallet) but when most gas stations/stores began taking MC/Visa/DC, I cut up the gas cards and store cards. Less is more.
__________________
Part-Owner of Texas
Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read. Groucho Marx
In dire need of: faster horses, younger woman, older whiskey, more money.
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05-13-2012, 12:53 PM
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#11
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Administrator
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 24,599
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Just one, a debit Mastercard, which I use for getting gas or groceries and so on. When I travel I do take more cash with me, out of habit.
__________________
"Already we are boldly launched upon the deep; but soon we shall be lost in its unshored, harborless immensities." - - H. Melville, 1851
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05-13-2012, 12:54 PM
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#12
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Lake Martin
Posts: 429
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Two credit cards and one ATM card -- the second credit card is a backup in case the Penfed Visa is compromised (again).
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05-13-2012, 12:59 PM
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#13
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 2,235
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I take 2 CCs and leave my debit card at home when on the road. I also take plenty of cash. I notify the CC company ahead of time to let them know where I will be using the CC so there are no denial issues.
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05-13-2012, 01:05 PM
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#14
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 554
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I carry two in my wallet and another in my computer bag. Also I carry an emergency $100 - not a hundred dollar bill.
__________________
"What's the worst thing that could happen - I keep my job."
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05-13-2012, 01:12 PM
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#15
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Pines at East Nowhere, 43N Latitude, NY
Posts: 8,245
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2 debit cards from accounts with my credit union
2 VISA cashback cards, same bank, different accounts.
Approx $100 cash when close to home, up to $400 when away
__________________
"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney
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05-13-2012, 01:15 PM
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#16
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: May 2011
Location: South Eastern USA
Posts: 651
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two credit one debit for checking and one debit for HSA
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05-13-2012, 01:51 PM
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#17
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oahu
Posts: 26,262
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I only carry things in my wallet that I'm happy to lose or surrender.
Two credit cards (two different issuers), an ATM card, up to $100 cash. I carry a blank check, too, although that's a 1970s habit that probably needs to stop.
__________________
*
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The book written on E-R.org, "The Military Guide to Financial Independence and Retirement", on sale now! For more info see "About Me" in my profile.
I don't spend much time here anymore, so please send me a PM. Thanks.
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05-13-2012, 02:22 PM
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#18
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,042
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1 credit card for online and store purchases since it is easier to return items.
If I frequently traveled long distances and out of state more I would have to get a debit card. I carry cash and a checkbook plus the one credit card.
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05-13-2012, 02:47 PM
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#19
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Lufkin TX
Posts: 1,629
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One credit union debit card (VISA logo) that's tied to my checking/savings accounts at that institution, and one AAFES credit card (Nords and other military types will know what that is about). No other credit cards. Shredded them all a few yrs ago.
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05-13-2012, 02:57 PM
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#20
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,989
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I was down to my third credit card on one trip after buying rental car gas at two stations in one day. The card company that issued my first two had a fast fraud trigger finger. The third card worked to get my pre-rental-return fillup. Add in a couple of debit cards and my wallet is a bit thick.
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