Is Change Becoming Obsolete?
26th June 2008
I was reading an article about people that save their change the other day, and I started reflecting upon the fact that I just don’t have much change anymore. I don’t save change. I have a little drawer in my jewelry box and if I happen to find any change on the ground, I just put it in that drawer. It’s not even much. I use my debit card for everything, so I don’t receive change anymore.
A gross thing that I found on the internet was an article about vending machines receiving credit cards. Just what Americans need, another place to use their credit cards and get fatter. Wonderful.
What about you? Do you use cash for anything anymore? What about checks? Should I be using cash because I won’t spend so much money? Are we going to be able to use electronic cash for everything soon?
June 26th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
There are some of those vending machines in my building. It is definitely crazy! Thankfully I leave my credit cards at home when I go to work to avoid the temptation! I agree with you about the change though, the only time I ever get cash out of the ATM is when I’m going to a bar for drinks, otherwise I use the credit card.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
@Penny - you’re right! Credit cards can’t be taken anyplace, I swear!
June 26th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Funny that you mention credit cards and vending machines. My family was at the local mall last week and I spotted a new California Lottery machine in the middle of the mall. I believe you need to be 18 to play. How can they enforce who plays a vending machine at the mall? Also, it does take credit cards.
June 26th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
I still have to use checks for tithe but that’s about it.
June 28th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
We were using ONLY Cash for the past year but then a local bank offered a great interest rate if you used a debit card & a few other things. So….we switched over & have been using a debit card since April. My problem..when I DO need cash & have to go to the ATM, I can NEVER remember my password! I’ve tried it a week ago & was denied again after 4 trys! I then just wrote out a check for cash! LOL I guess it’s time to call & get the password again! LOL
Oh, at the fitness center I use, they added a beverage machine that all you have to do is swipe your key card & the charges will be added to your monthly fees. I stay away from that!! Crips, that could add up to $20/month or more easily for as much as I go. I always bring my own water….but they have the nummy flavored ones that I get tempted by!
July 29th, 2008 at 11:18 am
At my university they had a system that put money on your student ID and then you used that ID to make copies, eat at the cafeteria, and use the vending machines. I thought it was awesome.
I never have cash (or change) so it would be nice to use my debit card at the vending machine the one or two times a year that I use a vending machine. Last time I used the vending machine I had to borrow money from a coworker.