Where Do You Get Cash? I’m confused...

[Midpack]

In a recent thread, many/most replies said they hoped cash never goes away, at least for smaller purchases. Many went on to say they only used credit cards for purchases above $20 or thereabouts.

Then today there’s a thread where many/most say they don’t use their ATM cards often.



So where are you (even limited) cash users getting your cash if not at an ATM? Bank walk in? Cash back with (grocery) purchases? Larger bank withdrawals for a cash stash at home?

DW and I usually use a nearby ATM to take out $40/week each for “allowance” to buy all sorts of small incidental purchases (lunch, snacks, 1-2 items at grocery, etc.).

https://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f27/how-long-before-cash-is-obsolete-102245.html

https://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f27/is-paper-really-that-expensive-102307.html

 

[pacergal]

Our "spending money" or "allowance" comes from the bank ATM, unless I am looking for a brand new, crisp bill for a gift. Then I go in the bank to the teller.
And if we want to some carry cash for a vacation, that comes from ATM or bank teller, depending on amount.

 

[audreyh1]

I’m curious where all you infrequent ATM users get your pocket money?

From the Costco executive rebate and Costco credit card rewards. That’s usually more US $$ than we use in a year

Seriously- it been that way for years now.

Don’t use much cash. Predominantly plastic. Most of that cash sits in a fire safe for emergencies.

 

[target2019]

I use an ATM. But its use is declining. I use a separate card for the small purchases. In my case it's Discover CC.

 

[SumDay]

I use the ATM to withdraw $100. It's usually gone in 4-6 weeks, then I get another $100.

To Audrey's point:

From the Costco executive rebate and Costco credit card rewards. That’s usually more US $$ than we use in a year

Seriously- it been that way for years now.

I really wish Costco Credit Card rewards would just send us a check you don't have to cash at Costco. I don't like carrying that cash around, even if it is to drive to the bank to deposit it. If thieves were smart, they'd hang around the Costco parking lot around the time those checks come out.

 

[Souschef]

I use an ATM for walking around money. For specific denominations, etc. I go to the branch

 

[PatrickA5]

About every couple of years, I'll run to the bank and pick up $1,000 in cash and put it in my safe at home. It lasts a long time. Haven't used an ATM in years.

 

[travelover]

From the Costco executive rebate and Costco credit card rewards. That’s usually more US $$ than we use in a year

Seriously- it been that way for years now.

Me, too. I almost never use cash for anything - I'll charge 50 cents. And my Costco cash just got recharged.

If I do need cash, I get cash back at the grocery store for small amounts and the credit union window for large amounts.

 

[audreyh1]

Me, too. I almost never use cash for anything - I'll charge 50 cents. And my Costco cash just got recharged.

Half my Costco cash just got recharged. Executive rebate was a little over $300. The rebate for renting cars through Costco Travel contributed to that.

I think cc rewards are going to come in above $400. That should be coming soon.

 

[W2R]

I'm not one of those infrequent ATM users. I withdraw $300 from a drive-through ATM whenever I want more cash, which has generally been once a month.

I spent a lot of my early life struggling to make ends meet, and I am not in that position any more. So, I see no reason not to have plenty of cash in my wallet; I like not feeling poor.

 

[Amethyst]

Local bank branch, for small bills for tips when traveling, or for services that aren't part of a contract. On our recent trip to Southeast Asia, our dollar bills and fives went quickly (and seemed to make a lot of people happy).

When we don't travel, our use of cash is very, very infrequent; really just tips for services. Restaurant tips go on the card. We do keep a small stash, in case a hurricane should force us to evacuate.

 

[H2ODude]

Well, you asked, so here's our weird system. DW gets $160 whenever she needs cash, from ATM. Why 160? Because many years ago that's what we budgeted for groceries every two weeks. Now she just uses cash for, I don't know what. Me? I get cash one or two thousand at a time and keep in the safe. Mainly used to pay housekeepers. I rarely use cash. Keep about 3-5k in the safe for emergencies (like weather or other such).

 

[GalaxyBoy]

We use the ATM since our bank refunds all ATM fees. But we use cash so infrequently these days that a couple of hundred bucks lasts 4 to 6 months.

I wish cash would go away.

 

[COcheesehead]

I just don't use cash.

 

[RobbieB]

I gas up the wallet at the ATM machines in the grocery store.

 

[Out_the_Door]

I go to the ATM about twice a month...I get my hair cut every two weeks and always pay cash and once in a while I'll drop in on the corner donut shop and pick up a raspberry-filled donut and I'll pay cash (i'm not even sure if they take credit cards). Other than that I use my CC for everything else so it's not unusual for me to see a string of $1.59 charges for the loaves of bread I buy at the grocery store.

 

[Jerry1]

ATM mostly, but I kind of prefer to go in the credit union. I get about $400 at a time and that lasts a few month usually. My back up cash is my gambling money for the casino. I usually have around $500 in my wallet and another $500 tucked away at home. Definitely using less and less cash as I play the maximize rewards game. Plus, it's just easier to keep track of what we spend money on using the credit cards. I have a Fidelity and a Costco.

 

[davebarnes]

I just don't use cash.

+1

 

[Dash man]

I use an ATM at a Wawa convenience store that doesn’t charge any fees and typically get a couple of hundred dollars that are usually used for tipping. Otherwise I use a credit card.

 

[Pellice]

I use an ATM. But its use is declining. I use a separate card for the small purchases. In my case it's Discover CC.

Target, this may be thread hijacking, but why do you divide up your credit card use in this way? (i.e. one for small purchases, one for ....) I'm asking because I've tried various ways of using my cards differently but haven't found any that make consistent long-term sense. I've tried evaluating rewards, but that seems complicated and shifting (my Chase Amazon Prime card just gave me 3 months of 2% back, ending February 29. I just put a larger purchase on it, ahead of schedule, so it did benefit Chase!

 

[jollystomper]

I still use ATMs. I have started to withdraw larger amounts so I use them less frequently. So far I have only used the ATM once this year, still have enough cash on hand from that withdrawal.

I cannot remember the last time I went to a bank for cash... I have not made a purchase that requires a large amount of cash in years.

 

[KCGeezer]

I just cash the Citi rebate check and use that for my mad money.

 

[candrew]

I get cash whenever I need some by picking it off the money tree in our backyard.

 

[scrabbler1]

I get my cash from a bank teller when I make a split deposit of a check I get every month from someone who owes me money. I like $10 bills, so some of the $80-$160 of the cash is in 10s and some in 20s.


Two other smaller sources of cash are from my ladyfriend who reimburses me for food shopping I sometimes do for her, and when my (snake-bit) friend pays me for doing his taxes and overseeing his portfolio.


The last time I actually used an ATM to get cash was back in June of 2018. I happened to run too low in cash mid-month so I had to refill.

 

[gamboolman]

When the gunsafe needs refilling on the cash, Ms. gamboolgal goes to the Bank and gets cash for us.

We do not use ATM's - yes there is a story.....

Along the Gulf Coast, Cash is good to have in hurricanes, Ice Storms and Power Failures

In Nigeria having Cash can be quite important if need to evacuate.....