Cash or Check for Graduation Gift?

[PollyannaMom]

If you were graduating from college right now, would you rather have cash or a check in your card?

(It won't be mailed. The ceremony is being live-streamed, but we'll be seeing the graduate later in the day.)

My (over)thinking is all over the place - from kids today don't use checks, to who's using cash in a pandemic... .

 

[Kitty 34]

I'm not graduating from anything but I would love a card with some cash in it!

 

[TippyThomas]

I'd go with cash just because it might be easier to deal with.

 

[mjkacmom]

I’d go with a check. My young adults (including graduating seniors) don’t use cash much, so a check is easy to deposit with their phones, cash would need to be used as cash because there is no way they’re going to the bank. My husband is always trying to give dd20’s friends gas money for driving her to and from college, I just Venmo them. Even our own kids won’t take cash from us, just Venmo.

 

[NYCgrrl]

A refillable gift card if that’s part of their future; will make it easiest in an emergency situation. Otherwise a check over cash .

 

[LiteBrite]

I'm not a young person, lol, but I'd much rather have a check that I can deposit via my bank app on my phone. Cash is a pain now, it's so much easier to do things digitally.

 

[NotUrsula]

If you know for sure that the graduate has a regular bank account, a check is fine; they all deposit them via their phone banking apps. Due to the pandemic, very few people are using cash these days, and a check is easier to convert for use with a card.

 

[kymom99]

If you know for sure that the graduate has a regular bank account, a check is fine; they all deposit them via their phone banking apps. Due to the pandemic, very few people are using cash these days, and a check is easier to convert for use with a card.

I use cash

 

[tvguy]

Cash. But a check would be okay assuming the person receiving it has a way to deposit or cash it*. Never ever gift card. So many have fees etc, not worth it.

*My daughter is 30 and has had a checking account since she was 18, but never ordered checks until she bought a house. She discovered cash and check are often still the preferred method of payment among the service people you often have to hire when you have a house, so she finally ordered checks. Electrician gave a discount if she paid by cash or check.

 

[Christine]

I have young adults in my life and none of them mind a check. They all have mobile banking and they can deposit it in like 15 seconds. None of them carry any cash around.

 

[mjkacmom]

I just asked my high school senior, she said it really doesn’t matter, and then became irritated when I asked again.

 

[Heather07438]

Think check is preferable for many reasons but cash is fine.

 

[tzolkin]

Check because then they can use it for purchases online without having to make a trip to the bank to deposit cash. Most people I know deposit checks into their bank accounts via an app.

I also prefer giving a check because then I am assured that the person actually received it (when I see the deposit go through) and the card with cash didn’t accidentally get lost.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Check can be easily deposited into an account via mobile banking and these days often without fees on the other hand ATMs are easy to deposit cash into an account (no need to go to a bank).

Either should work but maybe a check is preferable.

 

[fla4fun]

Can you just ask the graduate’s parents which their child prefers? The parents would know whether they have a bank account set up, and probably know how they typically pay for things. Both checks and cash, and even gift cards, have their place, but everyone has their preferences as to how they like to pay.

 

[Ellie008]

Definitely check, for the reasons listed already. I know very few people who use cash regularly. The only time I use cash is when I go to the farmer's market in the summer and they don't take cards. I got cash for my own birthday this year and would have much preferred a check.

 

[soccerdad72]

Either one would be fine

 

[BadPinkTink]

I would paypal or some other digital transfer.

 

[mamamary]

My dd is graduating college and she would take either. Mine still uses cash.

 

[JLTraveling]

I would paypal or some other digital transfer.

Definitely this (check with the grad's parents to see what they already have set up: PayPal, Venmo, etc.) If you're not comfortable with digital, then a check they can mobile deposit. Pre-pandemic, I had to carry cash here in New Orleans, because a lot of places didn't take cards. Now, everything's switched to contactless as much as possible.