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What is your preferred method of payment: Cash, check, debit/credit card? Why?

Do you carry any cash on you at all anymore?
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omicron
omicron
March 21, 2010 02:36 AM
I carry a bit of cash and a credit card (yes... just one credit card... one is enough) but...

Whenever possible, I use debit card.

It's simple, it's easy, and I like the way I can review statements at the end of the month.
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bklynj
bklynj
March 21, 2010 02:43 AM
Can't you review your credit card statement at the end of the month? I think the bad thing about debit cards is if someone gets your info they can clean out your bank account.
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omicron
omicron
March 21, 2010 04:07 AM
It's just as easy to nick someone's credit card info, so you have to be equally careful with both, but money on a debit card is earning interest, whereas credit cards charge interest.
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shadowbear
shadowbear
March 21, 2010 02:38 AM
Absolutely I always carry cash.
I use it as my primary method of payment, unless its a big ticket item over say $1,000
Especially during a downturn in the economy.
I find that cash is still King and useing it as leverage more times then not will get me a discount on whatever i'm purchasing.
Source(s):
personal experience
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bklynj
bklynj
March 21, 2010 02:41 AM
Credit card as I have a rewards card and I get points. Last year I got one of those 14 megapixel cameras and this year I got a turntable to record LP's to CD withthe computer. It even came with an audio clean-up program. Shipping included. These carry higher interest rates but I always pay the balance in full every month so it doesn't matter. I still carry a hundred or two with me as you never know when you'll need cash. I went into a store not long ago and their credit connection was down so I had to pay in cash so you should still have cash on hand.
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dsaldridge
dsaldridge
March 21, 2010 02:45 AM
Cash or debit. I don't have credit cards...don't believe in them. If I can't afford to pay for it, I don't need it. If some place like a car rental will not take my Visa or MC guaranteed debit card, I don't need to do business with them.
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thebandit
thebandit
March 21, 2010 03:45 AM
If I could pay for everything with a debit card, I would. It's got all the convenience of a credit card, but none of the panic associated with bills. A lot of people say it's easier to spend more with one, but I actually find it the other way around. When I carry cash, I have an urge to just get rid of it and spend it as soon as I can. But every time I use the debit card, I have to think about what's in my account and whether I can really afford to spend it. I just wish that debit cards built up credit. Oh well, though -- can't ask for everything!

My second choice would be cash. Fast and convenient. I'll eventually get a credit card, but probably not until I'm out of college. And I only write checks for rent and other times I need written documentation of having paid something. I just find the whole system of writing out a check too cumbersome for everyday use.
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hawkeyepie...
hawkeyepie...
March 21, 2010 04:00 AM
Debit, because cash is dirty, I don't have cheques, and I don't believe in credit cards.
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charray7
charray7
March 21, 2010 04:01 AM
I never carry cash on me, which at times can be a problem. I once had to got uptown, which I never do, and had to park in a lot that had meters. I didn't have any coins to put in the meters so I just took a chance and went into the store, bought what I wanted and came back to my car. Luckily, I was fast enough that I didn't get a ticket. I don't own any credit cards since they got me in trouble many years ago. I use a debit card for most everything. It's as easy to use as a credit card, except the payment comes out of my checking account instead of running up a bill that I can't pay later. :-)
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jkepler
jkepler
March 21, 2010 06:40 AM
I prefer credit cards. I like that they give me rewards points and I don't have to pay a cent until the bill arrives. It's like borrowing money for free (as long as you always pay the balance, of course). I also like the way the statements are laid out. Some cards even categorize your purchases for you into "Entertainment", "Food", etc.
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sunshine09
sunshine09
March 22, 2010 12:34 AM
I do carry a small amount of cash with me at all times. This is strickly for like emergencies or parking at work, but my preferred method of payment is always done using a debt card.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/photos_by_bruce/2919245129/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/laihiu/235820189/
Source(s):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/laihiu/235820189/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photos_by_bruce/2919245129/
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cherise
cherise
March 22, 2010 01:41 AM
OK, I just have to say that I LOVE the convenience of paying for gas at the pump!

Bank of America charges us for using our ATM card to purchase things, so I use the credit card at the gas pump and most other places that I can. I like using the credit card for purchases because it does all the bookkeeping for me. I get a beautiful pie chart each month for all my purchases. I do write my purchases in a book like a checkbook though, so that they don't get out of hand.

I pay my credit card off every month and don't carry any balance or pay any interest. The credit card companies call customers like me "dead beats," because we use their services but they don't make any money off of us.
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patricecam...
patricecam...
March 22, 2010 09:14 PM
I prefer a debit card. It's easy to carry, easy to use, and most of all it's easy to track. I very seldom carry more than $20.00 cash anymore. I get it as cash back when I use my debit card for purchases. I like to have a bit of cash on hand for vending machines, just in case a piece of chocolate calls to me.
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