Cashless society

[Minnesota!]

For those of you who use debit cards for everything, how do you manage to balance your check book?? It has to be a pain to record every transaction in your check registry.

I have not balanced a checkbook in 20+ years. Debit cards are instant-ish. Just look at the app and see how much money you have and spend less than that!

 

[CdnCarrie]

I can only think of my mom and how hard it would be if the bank no longer had tellers to help her. She doesn't have an ATM card because she simply doesn't have the capability to remember a pin or know how to properly use anything electronic. I did get her a credit card with the tap feature which was a lot easier for her to learn how to use...eventually. She still likes to have a little cash, though, and she'll go to the bank herself. They'll allow the withdrawals because she swipes her ID, and even then, it can take a few tries. Perhaps my mom is among the last of the old guard, but it's instances like this where I realize that there are barriers for some to these marvels of modern society that not everyone appreciates.

I’ve had a ATM card since the mid 80s. It’s how the bank looks you up if you go to the teller.
You mom has never had an atm card? Or you recently got rid of it?

 

[amcnj]

I have run into businesses that don’t accept cash, but so far not a bank.

Personally I try and use credit cards whenever possible. But I know of two relatives that are strictly cash or check people.

 

[emmybee]

I’ve had a ATM card since the mid 80s. It’s how the bank looks you up if you go to the teller.
You mom has never had an atm card? Or you recently got rid of it?

Never. Like I said, she scans her ID and has her account numbers written down.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Never. Like I said, she scans her ID and has her account numbers written down.

That’s certainly odd

 

[emmybee]

That’s certainly odd

I don't find it odd. She has challenges, but she has done amazing things for someone many underestimate. I shared a miniscule part of her life so others may realize not everyone navigates the world the same. The fact that banks are removing tellers and expecting everyone to use a machine is what is truly odd. At a certain point, "progress" is just a ridiculous excuse to get everyone to accept poor customer service.

I walked into a new-to-me ice cream shop recently and was waiting in a long line. It wasn't moving very fast, so after a while I peeked at the front of the line to see what was going on. There were plenty of people making these fancy ice cream cones, but no one actually taking orders. People were standing at a kiosk trying to figure out how to buy their stupid ice cream cones! I will readily admit to being an old crank at times, and this really made me roll my eyes! All these people in the shop and it didn't occur to anyone working that maybe they could help things along? Needless to say, I walked out. Subsequently, I've walked by the place when it wasn't so busy, but now I won't bother.

I have to laugh, but it reminds me of an episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia when Dennis was trying to buy a coffee or something. I wish I could post the clip here. Modern society is great! Goodness knows I wouldn't give up any comforts anytime soon, but boy, is modernity stupid sometimes.

Pardon me for the long digression!

 

[Magical2017]

I have not run into any cashless businesses that I can remember. When we visited Iceland it was mostly cashless, although major tourist spots and most places in Reykjavik accepted cash. I rarely carry cash.

 

[tvguy]

My SO’s barber only takes Venmo, Zelle or cash app and you schedule your appointments through an app. Times are changing. lol

Mine is cash only. But they have it clearly posted in huge letters around the shop.

 

[tvguy]

I have not balanced a checkbook in 20+ years. Debit cards are instant-ish. Just look at the app and see how much money you have and spend less than that!

As they say...............it depends. It is my experience it depends on what company/bank the merchant uses to process the transaction. My mechanic, it is instant. The grocery store takes two days to hit.

 

[tvguy]

I have not run into any cashless businesses that I can remember. When we visited Iceland it was mostly cashless, although major tourist spots and most places in Reykjavik accepted cash. I rarely carry cash.

My dry cleaner went cashless about two years ago, and it is right next to a bakery that is cash only. They each have signs on doors noting that, and it is amusing to see that side by side.
The baker was interviewed in the newspaper and he said he has customers tell him he's losing business by not taking plastic. He counters that he is producing as many baked goods as he can, he is at capacity, so he couldn't handle any more customers and he sells out every day hours before closing. And in the same article a customer noted that his products are so good, you will do anything to get the cash you need to buy them.

 

[CdnCarrie]

As they say...............it depends. It is my experience it depends on what company/bank the merchant uses to process the transaction. My mechanic, it is instant. The grocery store takes two days to hit.

That's an odd banking system.
Here debit is instantaneous.

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

I pay via Apple Pay almost everywhere. Including at my barbers. Sadly they can't accept tips via card transfer so need cash, and I almost never have any hand money. Which is a shame, as they deserve tips. If I am going for a haircut, I TRY to carry a fiver. It's just not easy.

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

Just found out that the Tim Horton's near work has gone cashless. They will not take cash. (It's a kiosk not a full shop)
Supposedly its like this since August but I rarely buy anything,

And a friend who is a bank branch manager was saying her branch is now a cashless service centre. There is an ATM but you can not do any cash transactions with the tellers.

Both of these surprised me.

Well, this will be a growing thing. It has already become the way of life in some other countries and will eventually be a global system.

There was an EO signed by Biden to push CBDCs here in the US. It is only a matter of time.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Well, this will be a growing thing. It has already become the way of life in some other countries and will eventually be a global system.

There was an EO signed by Biden to push CBDCs here in the US. It is only a matter of time.

No idea what an EO or CBDC is.

 

[Marrila]

No idea what an EO or CBDC is.

I think they mean executive order and
Central Bank Digital Currency

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

No idea what an EO or CBDC is.

EO is Executive Order (Signed March 2022)

CBDC is Central Bank Digital Currency (look into blockchain, global currency)

 

[tvguy]

That's an odd banking system.
Here debit is instantaneous.

LOL. No "float" like paper checks.

 

[CdnCarrie]

LOL. No "float" like paper checks.

Does it take a while for your bank account to display ATM withdrawals too?

 

[tvguy]

Does it take a while for your bank account to display ATM withdrawals too?

No, those are immediate . But I only withdraw cash from ATMS owned by my bank. Not sure what would happen at another banks ATM. Like I said, it appears the delay is caused by which bank or processing service the merchant uses.

 

[tvguy]

Does it take a while for your bank account to display ATM withdrawals too?

I will add that deposits can be odd. At the ATM, instant. I have an annuity payment that is supposed to go in on the 5th of the month, but it never posts before the 7th. And my wife is supposed to get her Social Security payment on the second Wednesday of the month, and mine the 4th Wednesday. But with both of those they post on the Saturday before, 4 days early.