On a normal day, how do you pay for items?

[eliza61]

This is a totally unscientific poll. Based on the news that Wells fargo is testing a new "debit card" fee and I'm a cynic I believe banks are like airline companies, once one institutes a "fee" it's only a matter of time before the rest of the herd follow suit.

So how do you pay for your normal every day life? Do you carry cash? Do you mainly use your debit card? do you use mainly your credit cards?

I use my debit card for just about every thing. rarely do I have more than 10 bucks in my pocket.

 

[Nayan]

I only use cash and have no debit card. Our CC is used only for a couple monthly internet things (like Netflix and WoW) and when we reserve a hotel room. Everything else from shopping to bills are done in cash.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

We use a CC for everything in order to max out our rewards. Sometimes I might have the same 20 dollar bill in my wallet for a week or two. We always pay off the bill each month.

 

[Swimalie]

We use a CC for everything in order to max out our rewards. Sometimes I might have the same 20 dollar bill in my wallet for a week or two. We always pay off the bill each month.

That's pretty much me as well. Although I usually have more cash in my wallet. I don't own or want a debit card.

 

[poohs4me]

We use a CC for everything in order to max out our rewards. Sometimes I might have the same 20 dollar bill in my wallet for a week or two. We always pay off the bill each month.

This is us as well.

 

[amylevan]

I rarely have more than $20 in my wallet, and I use my credit card a lot. However, I do use a debit card for some things, usually the smaller purchases (fast food, coffee, quick stops at the grocery store, etc). You can bet that if a fee gets added to mine though, I will stop using that debit card and only use my credit card.

 

[njsweetP]

We use a CC for everything in order to max out our rewards. Sometimes I might have the same 20 dollar bill in my wallet for a week or two. We always pay off the bill each month.

This is us as well. Mainly I use my Discover Card for everything, followed by AMEX.

 

[ssawka]

We use a CC for everything in order to max out our rewards. Sometimes I might have the same 20 dollar bill in my wallet for a week or two. We always pay off the bill each month.

Us too! Gotta get those rewards! I often have no cash on me, don't really need it. I do try to keep $20-$40 on me though, just in case.

 

[njmom47]

I use my Wells Fargo debit card but 99% of my transactions are credit so I get rewards. I hardly ever have cash in my wallet either.

 

[Robmom]

I hope the other banks don't add this charge. I use my debit card a lot. It saves me trips to the bank to get more cash. But, if they do start charging, I will not be using it as often.

 

[ready123go]

We use a CC for everything in order to max out our rewards. Sometimes I might have the same 20 dollar bill in my wallet for a week or two. We always pay off the bill each month.

Disney Rewards card for e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g that we can possibly use it for. I have paid it off as much as three time in one month to make room for purchases. If I could route my mortgage and insurance through it I would, just for the rewards. If the merchant doesn't charge a fee, the card gets used.

I will use debit at Sam's Club and Costco, because neither of ours accept Visa. If our credit union began charging a fee, I would switch to cash or back to checks.

I also use cash where I have to, for drive-through (drinks mostly) or for something small.

 

[DebMcDonald]

In an age where most people's checks are direct deposited most people don't carry alot of cash and I know I do not, I rarely have over $20 and on the recent occasional that I did have $180 it all got stolen out of my wallet at work I use my debit card for everything!

 

[Hannathy]

I voted cash, but I will use my credit card if I don't have enough cash with me.

I don't have a debit card.

Personally I think it is like all things, too many people abused it and now the banks have to charge everyone. I'm sorry but I've seen people use it for a candy bar or small bag of chips.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I never use my debit/check card. I take money out every two weeks (from a teller, usually when I'm making a deposit) for food/entertainment for those two weeks. I use my Disney credit card for gas and any other major purchases.

 

[Mkebound]

Always CC - I don't even carry a debit card, why carry something that someone can use to drain your bank account? The consumer protections on a credit card are much better.

 

[miralys]

Debit card unless I am somewhere cash would be easier/more secure (like the flea market)

 

[angierae]

I've used a debit card nearly exclusively since I opened my first checking account in 1993. No one has ever "drained my bank account", I've never been scammed, and I've never had to worry about losing cash.

And no, I don't really want to pay a $3 a month fee, but I'd rather pay a $3 a month fee than have to start carrying all my cash around with me. (I don't use credit cards. We have a Discover card for booking flights/rental cars and the balance gets paid off in full every month and we don't carry it with us unless we're travelling and worry we might have an emergency.)

 

[ilovemk76]

We charge most things but DH and I both carry some cash for cases when a CC is not an option. We never pay for purchases with a debit card. The debit card is only used for getting cash out of our bank.

 

[sjs314]

I too use my debit card for everything, have been for the past 12-15 years. I honestly do not know how some people get along without on. My mother in law for instance does not have one and still writes checks when she goes to the grocery store etc.
My bank started chargeing $8.95 some months ago unless you kept a minimumn amount in your account or used your debit card as a charge card 10 times per month. I paid the $8.95 once and have since made sure to use it as a cc when I make a purchase.
My account use to be free with direct deposit but no more.

I am sure we will see lots of new fees going forth

 

[Colleen27]

Cash only here, partly because I still shop a lot of places that don't take credit and partly because I just budget better with cash.

I know a lot of people are upset about the new fees for debit transactions but personally I don't mind; for a long time now the status quo has been high fees for retailers which in turn means higher prices for all of us, whether we're using credit/debit or not, and as more and more people are going cashless and using their card even for a pack of gum or bottle of soda those fees really add up. And Visa/Mastercard rules make it very difficult for retailers to manage/minimize those fees, because they can't set minimums for card use or pass the fees along specifically to those who use plastic. The limit on processing fees and the new charges banks are instituting in response are doing just that - shifting some of the fees from the retailer to the customers who want the convenience of debit card access to their funds.