Going to the world with no CC.

[DisneyMomma81]

RE: Southwest GCs ~ I think you can only use one GC during a purchase, I may be wrong. As for living without my debit card ~ no thanks, the only CC I have a is a Kohl's card with $100 limit, but I use my debit card for everything.

 

[Teacher03]

I haven't read all the posts, but I really admire the fact that you got yourself out of trouble and are moving forward with cash only. We have been so scared to try it, but you have given me some motivation. I don't know if I could do without a checking account, but we don't overdraft, so I don't see it as a problem. Have fun in Disney!

 

[ChaMakay1923]

I was just looking at PayPal and found this:



Apparently with MoneyPak you can take your cash to a CVS, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, etc and buy a MoneyPak card (looks like a prepaid card), then go online and add the funds to your PayPal account. Pretty good solution for a cash-only family.

https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/?&cmd=xpt/Marketing/demo/additionalpayment/GreenDot-outside

Money Pak is the refillable source for the GreenDot cards... it's a prepaid visa/mastercard, the one's everyones telling you to buy at Walmart, and I LOVE mine!!! It's what I'm using for my trip!

Read more info here.... www.greendot.com

 

[tinkermom23]

OP- We did it a few years ago, kinda. We booked through a TA and paid cash. It does work, but we didn't rent a car. You just need to be more prepared.

We are similar to you in that we do not use checks or credit cards. We have one savings acct. set up for all of our fixed expenses to come out of. We have another savings acct. for well, savings. But we do have a checking account but no check blanks. We have a debit card tied to it and only put a set amount in there. When that is gone, it's gone.

Yes, I know some people think it is old fashioned but it is what works for us and we are fine with it!

You have plenty of time before your trip, good luck planning!

 

[kmvand1]

ALL hotels require a credit card/debit card "on file"

I dont understand how the OP can not have a checking account with debit card? Do you cash your paychecks and carry a lot of cash around?

No they do not! We have NEVER left our debit/credit card on file, ever at Disneyworld.

 

[jodim]

I'm kind of surprised by some of the responses I've seen on this thread.

I applaud the OP, she clearly stated they got in trouble with them at one time, and instead of doing like so many Americans and repeating the cycle, she decided not to go that route.

You can get airfare through a travel agent (Research first so you get the best $- and know you're getting it) or you can buy gift cards for the airline.

Disney takes gift cards which may be cheaper than buying money orders constantly... especially if you find them when they are buy so many, get xxx free.

If you are renting a car you will have to have a CC/Debit to guarantee it, if you can't get a card (not saying you can't, just stating another option if that is not available to you) you can ask your family (parents/aunt, etc) to add you as an authorized user and you can use that card for a rental car guarantee. I've done this for a friend of mine who was not able to get a CC.

Many schools have a SCRIP program where they sell gift cards for almost anywhere... they get a percentage of the sale, so it helps them out too. You might want to look into that.

Good Luck, enjoy your vacation!

 

[ICF]

guess I'm the odd one here, but I think it's not the best idea to not at least have a checking account.

 

[pdxJolene]

I'm really glad I found this thread! I also do not have a debit card or credit card. Like some previous posters I have a savings account and all my bills come directly out of there. I only get paid once a month and my check gets direct deposited into my savings. I go to the bank and take out x amount for groceries, gas and spending and then the rest is bills & savings. It works perfectly for me, I dont see the NEED for the hassle of a debit card when cash is much easier for me. I'm glad to hear that WDW hotels do not require a card at check in, I hopefully planning a trip for DBF and I within the next year!

 

[SandrA9810]

My mom has a savings only ATM card, and Publix is one of the few stores I've ever been to that I can still use a savings only card to make my purchase, and still get cash back. You just have to tell them before you swipe your card that it's savings only. Some cashiers might not have a clue about waht you're talking about. But usually one of the others will know how to go to the sub menu and select "savings".

Life really isn't that hard without a checking account. Just most people are so used to having them there, that they don't know what to do without it.

To the OP: just on a side note, with some new laws that were passed, banks are not allowed to automatically enroll you into "overdraft protection". When I had my checking account first opened, it didn't allow for a transaction to be approved unless the funds were available. Then they changed it on me and after several "OTL fees" because they were approving transactions when there was no money, I finally had to speak with a head supervisor to get things back to the way they were. And now with the new law passed, you can't be automatically enrolled into an overdraft protection program. So it's less likely you would run into some of the hassles you had before. That is if you ever want to go back to a checking account.

 

[cm8]

I haven't read all the posts, but I really admire the fact that you got yourself out of trouble and are moving forward with cash only. We have been so scared to try it, but you have given me some motivation. I don't know if I could do without a checking account, but we don't overdraft, so I don't see it as a problem. Have fun in Disney!

 

[WDWFigment]

In reading the responses here, I have to say that I am a bit shocked.

Personally, I don't think it's a good idea to not have a credit card. Credit cards are great tools and I use mine as much as possible to maximize the benefits. That said, if you cannot control your spending when using a credit card, they probably aren't such a good idea.

Why not get a credit card and pay it off in full each month? When you do this, not only are you building better credit, but you also are being rewarded by the credit card companies (most credit cards offer 2-3% cashback if your credit score is decent--not to mention the interest your money accrues for the month or so period prior to paying your bill). Additionally, you have charge back protection and extended warranties (with some cards on some purchases). Then there is the convenience factor. As demonstrated by the mere discussion of whether it's possible to do without them, they clearly are the most convenient method of payment for many things.

This is how I've always viewed credit cards. Then again, I have to say I am somewhat glad not everyone views credit cards this way, as the CC companies wouldn't offer these kind of benefits if everyone paid their balance in full each month.

 

[Colleen27]

Why not get a credit card and pay it off in full each month? When you do this, not only are you building better credit, but you also are being rewarded by the credit card companies (most credit cards offer 2-3% cashback if your credit score is decent--not to mention the interest your money accrues for the month or so period prior to paying your bill). Additionally, you have charge back protection and extended warranties (with some cards on some purchases). Then there is the convenience factor. As demonstrated by the mere discussion of whether it's possible to do without them, they clearly are the most convenient method of payment for many things.

For people who don't have the credit scores built up over a long history, having a credit card tends to be an expense. We have at various times looked into opening one just for things like renting a car, and have found that because we've chosen to live cash-only for most of our adult lives we'd have to pay the issuing company for the privilege of having a credit account. The few scattered occasions where credit would be more convenient than debit/cash don't justify paying a fee every month, and honestly, I have enough objections to our credit-based culture that I don't want to buy into it just for the sake of an easier car-rental experience every couple-few years.

 

[Darcy03231]

My only advise would be to bring plenty of extra cash with you.

Here's what happened to me one trip. While we were traveling a hurricane came through. The airports were closed. We ended up having to stay in Fl an extra 3 days before we could get flights back home. I needed my cc for the extra days in the hotel and food. There's no way I would travel without having a cc with me.

 

[jodifla]

My only advise would be to bring plenty of extra cash with you.

Here's what happened to me one trip. While we were traveling a hurricane came through. The airports were closed. We ended up having to stay in Fl an extra 3 days before we could get flights back home. I needed my cc for the extra days in the hotel and food. There's no way I would travel without having a cc with me.

Yep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You NEVER know what might happen. I'd NEVER travel with my credit card. Also, carry all that cash on you, and you are a sitting duck to be robbed.

ALso, airlines like Spirit ONLY take credit onboard if you fly, and EVERYTHING costs. You won't get even a drink of water with cash, much less a coke.

 

[WDWAtLast]

When I booked our airfare last March for our August trip, I used Paypal to pay with. Booked Continental through their website with no problems.

Not having access to your savings or a CC would make me nervous - in case of an emergency. If you have a bank that is on every street corner (like bank of America), it might not be a big deal, but if it is a local credit union, etc., then you would definately want a debit/cc for emergencies!

 

[cinderellamom123]

Don't mean to be a downer, but I just feel safer with a Credit Card for backup. What if there was a storm, hurricane, etc. and you needed extend/shorten your stay? What if someone gets sick? What if you missed a flight and had to rebook? Also, you would need a Credit card to hold reservations at several restaurants.

 

[ajh88]

I've traveled to the World without any type of plastic. Disney Hotels are wonderful about not using a credit card. When you check in they simply ask if you would like to register a card. A smile and "no thank you" has always been enough for me.

Airfare will be tricky. If you don't have a debit card I know that Southwest sells gift cards, but they come in $50 increments. So you would end up with unused funds on the gift card.

I haven't read the entire thread yet - I'm a little eager today I guess, but Southwest takes PayPal online. Have used it several times to buy tickets for my stepson and all he has to show is ID (we are never with him when he gets on the plane because he's coming to vist us!).

 

[jldixon62]

Long ago, I went to the airport and paid cash for an airline ticket. You do get extra attention (security screened) at the airport! Now I just use a debit card for everything.

 

[WDWFigment]

For people who don't have the credit scores built up over a long history, having a credit card tends to be an expense. We have at various times looked into opening one just for things like renting a car, and have found that because we've chosen to live cash-only for most of our adult lives we'd have to pay the issuing company for the privilege of having a credit account. The few scattered occasions where credit would be more convenient than debit/cash don't justify paying a fee every month, and honestly, I have enough objections to our credit-based culture that I don't want to buy into it just for the sake of an easier car-rental experience every couple-few years.

Even assuming, arguendo, that a credit card isn't more convenient, you still gloss over the other ways in which it is advantageous to have a credit card. You may not be able to get the best card in the beginning, but I'm only 25 and I have been building my credit score since high school (I have yet to pay any fees, but I do understand that the current economic climate might make things different fees-wise), so I know that it can be done in not too long of a period of time.

There are certainly plenty of negatives about our credit-based culture, but almost all of those negatives are self-inflicted. If you act responsibly, credit cards shouldn't cause you any harm.

 

[Colleen27]

Even assuming, arguendo, that a credit card isn't more convenient, you still gloss over the other ways in which it is advantageous to have a credit card. You may not be able to get the best card in the beginning, but I'm only 25 and I have been building my credit score since high school (I have yet to pay any fees, but I do understand that the current economic climate might make things different fees-wise), so I know that it can be done in not too long of a period of time.

There are certainly plenty of negatives about our credit-based culture, but almost all of those negatives are self-inflicted. If you act responsibly, credit cards shouldn't cause you any harm.

I know the benefits of having credit cards. I just don't think they're worth paying for, and as a 30yo with no credit history to speak of, I would be paying. The last time I looked into in, in 2004 or 05, it would have been a $79 annual fee. I'm sure now it would be higher.

And being in the fortunate position of not having any need for credit, I don't want to spend my money supporting a system that I view as harmful. Yes, much of that harm is self-inflicted, but IMO lenders bear some responsibility as well - when I was in college I had friends getting cards with 10K limits. These are KIDS, not even old enough to drink or rent a car. There's no way they should be handed the responsibility of what looks at that age like a blank check! Plus credit scoring has far too much power in our culture. It should be a measure of creditworthiness, period, not a gauge of risk for insurance companies or a barometer of responsibility/trustworthiness for employers. And the only way that is going to change is as more and more people opt out of the current status quo by limiting/ending their dependence on credit.