# ‘Cash is king.’ Oh really? Is it? Do you carry cash? Are you plastic always, all the time? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 4, 2020, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-is-king-oh-really-is-it-do-you-carry-cash-are-you-plastic-always-all-the-time/922191 "2020-10-04T16:07:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-is-king-oh-really-is-it-do-you-carry-cash-are-you-plastic-always-all-the-time/922191/41 "2020-10-05T01:57:54Z")
“You’ve got to carry weapons 'cause you always carry cash” Or so said Glenn Frey. I carry about $200-$300 as a rule, so I always carry a trebuchet. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-is-king-oh-really-is-it-do-you-carry-cash-are-you-plastic-always-all-the-time/922191/42 "2020-10-05T02:01:29Z")
Doesn’t that get a little heavy? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-is-king-oh-really-is-it-do-you-carry-cash-are-you-plastic-always-all-the-time/922191/43 "2020-10-05T02:04:09Z")
Even the miniature ones can really pack a punch these days. [![](http://larpcitymarket.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Mini-Trebuchet-450x408.jpg) ](http://larpcitymarket.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Mini-Trebuchet-450x408.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-is-king-oh-really-is-it-do-you-carry-cash-are-you-plastic-always-all-the-time/922191/44 "2020-10-05T02:13:10Z")
As with others, life experience in contingent situations has conditioned me to keep a couple hundreds at home and between 50 and 200 in 20s and 10s on me, just in case there is a failure of the system (replenishing whenever I went below 50). Prior to the strictures on human contact, cash was on hand regularly for small everyday incidentals under $20, things like fast food/coffee, haircut, bottle of water, magazine at the airport/train station, a drink where I was not opening a tab, single low priced item at farmer’s market or craft fair. Or if I found myself at a business where I’d get a bad feeling about letting them have my credit card info. Like **Bullitt** and **LSLGuy** I rotate my “carry” cards to cover possible declines. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-is-king-oh-really-is-it-do-you-carry-cash-are-you-plastic-always-all-the-time/922191/45 "2020-10-05T02:20:22Z")
The dealer I bought my last two cars at would accept no more than $500 in cash or $1500 on a credit card. Cash for security reasons. Credit card because of the surcharges. They wouldn’t accept payment in cash for a car, period. They know they can file a currency report for amounts over $10,000. They just don’t want to be known as a place that has tens of thousands in cash. A client of my wife when she was a “Personal Financial Planner” (insurance salesperson) tried to pay the single premium in a single premium policy in cash. $250,000 in cash. Her boss told her to cut off all contact with the client. Now she’s a real estate agent (NOT a Realtor). She will have people hand her $1500-$5000 in “binders” in cash in envelopes. Her clients tend to be Asian or Southeastern European. Colorful bunch of characters. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-is-king-oh-really-is-it-do-you-carry-cash-are-you-plastic-always-all-the-time/922191/46 "2020-10-05T02:39:13Z")
I use plastic for almost everything but I still try to keep at least $50 in my pocket. Some of that will be low bills for tipping. $50 isn’t much for emergency money these days, maybe I should go back to keeping a Ben Franklin in my wallet too. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-is-king-oh-really-is-it-do-you-carry-cash-are-you-plastic-always-all-the-time/922191/47 "2020-10-05T03:00:27Z")
Plastic for mostly everything, but I do keep some cash for small things: takeout coffee, for example. I do use cash at the racetrack, for placing wagers. The betting windows will accept either cash, credit vouchers, or winning tickets; but you cannot get the latter two without laying out cash first. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-is-king-oh-really-is-it-do-you-carry-cash-are-you-plastic-always-all-the-time/922191/48 "2020-10-05T03:22:11Z")
I use my phone to pay for most things and plastic for most of the rest. The phone is even easier/faster than CC. I carry cash “just in case” but probably use less than $300/year. I never use my debit card; there’s no benefit over CC and it has way more risks. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-is-king-oh-really-is-it-do-you-carry-cash-are-you-plastic-always-all-the-time/922191/49 "2020-10-05T03:52:15Z")
I still use cash for a lot of things, though less than before. I use it to tip, make small purchases (especially at the farmers market). I really dislike that I am being tracked through my purchases, though obviously using a debit card/credit card is safer as far as germs go. I still worry about the cards being copied and abused. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-is-king-oh-really-is-it-do-you-carry-cash-are-you-plastic-always-all-the-time/922191/50 "2020-10-05T05:14:11Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Cash got dethroned maybe a decade ago. There is just too much cost in carrying that king that we needed to vote it out. Both in things like ATM fees and the time it takes to go there. Cash is a drag. Transactions are longer as one finds the bills and gets the change. People who use cash in the supermarkets is ‘the new’ people who use checks in a supermarket, stop wasting our time with your antiquated self righteous method of payment. Actually the new way they do checks now (scan and convert to debit), cash is the longest method. Cash is the poorper method of payment, to look down upon. That king is dead, long live the king. I understand the frustration, and at times I share it. But if they could use plastic and get through checkouts quicker, don’t you think they would? I try to give them a break. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-is-king-oh-really-is-it-do-you-carry-cash-are-you-plastic-always-all-the-time/922191/51 "2020-10-05T11:22:26Z")
I use my CC whenever possible, but occasionally have a small purchase (e.g. a few nuts/bolts at the hardware store) where I’ll just use cash. Tend to keep about $100 in my wallet, and it lasts a long time. Larger stash of cash hidden away at home in case of local/national disasters that might impact both CC utility and ability to access what’s in our checking account. I keep a $100 bill folded inside my phone case, to be used if my wallet ever gets lost/swiped while I’m away from home (In Japan, I swap it for a 10K yen note). ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-is-king-oh-really-is-it-do-you-carry-cash-are-you-plastic-always-all-the-time/922191/52 "2020-10-05T11:28:21Z")
I always carry around $100 in cash with me; a couple of twenties, 4 tens and 4 fives. However, gas, groceries and, in fact, the large majority of my purchases are with a credit card, so the cash goes slowly. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-is-king-oh-really-is-it-do-you-carry-cash-are-you-plastic-always-all-the-time/922191/53 "2020-10-05T11:53:40Z")
Only get cash out from an ATM when I need to stick a fitty into a birthday card. Only other time I need cash is when I’m travelling overseas in SE Asia. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-is-king-oh-really-is-it-do-you-carry-cash-are-you-plastic-always-all-the-time/922191/54 "2020-10-05T11:58:12Z")
I always have cash on me, but for most purchases I use a credit card. When I sell a boat, I always insist on cash. I had one buyer balk at carrying $8,000 cash, but I told him I’d find another buyer before I’d accept a check, and I did. ---
**Author:** ![TheCuse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thecuse/32/2854_2.png) [@TheCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheCuse)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-is-king-oh-really-is-it-do-you-carry-cash-are-you-plastic-always-all-the-time/922191/55 "2020-10-05T11:59:30Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Cash got dethroned maybe a decade ago. There is just too much cost in carrying that king that we needed to vote it out. Both in things like ATM fees and the time it takes to go there. Cash is a drag. Transactions are longer as one finds the bills and gets the change. People who use cash in the supermarkets is ‘the new’ people who use checks in a supermarket, stop wasting our time with your antiquated self righteous method of payment. Actually the new way they do checks now (scan and convert to debit), cash is the longest method. Cash is the poorper method of payment, to look down upon. That king is dead, long live the king. I find it takes folks longer to use credit cards at the stores. They have to pull it out of their purse or wallet, decide whether it has a chip or not, then usually do it wrong by sliding it when they should be inserting it, or inserting it when they should slide it. Then they have to push the button that says either credit or debit, then they have to wait for it to get approved. Then they put the credit card back in their wallet, then put the wallet back in their pocket (or put in their purse). Of course, the cashier also has to give them the receipt. Sometimes the person then has to sign the receipt. I think using cash is faster. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-is-king-oh-really-is-it-do-you-carry-cash-are-you-plastic-always-all-the-time/922191/56 "2020-10-05T12:49:52Z")
I don’t think it’s true that “people don’t want cash these days.” I stop for coffee every morning on my way to work, and they prefer cash. We pay our landscaper and house cleaner with cash. I’m trying to use Apple Pay more, but I honestly forget it’s even an option most of the time. Utilities, etc, get paid online through my bank’s bill pay website. Plumbers, and the like, get checks. I use debit for groceries and credit for gas. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-is-king-oh-really-is-it-do-you-carry-cash-are-you-plastic-always-all-the-time/922191/57 "2020-10-05T12:49:52Z")
> [@TheCuse](#): > > > [@kanicbird](#): > > > > Cash got dethroned maybe a decade ago. There is just too much cost in carrying that king that we needed to vote it out. Both in things like ATM fees and the time it takes to go there. Cash is a drag. Transactions are longer as one finds the bills and gets the change. People who use cash in the supermarkets is ‘the new’ people who use checks in a supermarket, stop wasting our time with your antiquated self righteous method of payment. Actually the new way they do checks now (scan and convert to debit), cash is the longest method. Cash is the poorper method of payment, to look down upon. That king is dead, long live the king. > > I find it takes folks longer to use credit cards at the stores. They have to pull it out of their purse or wallet, decide whether it has a chip or not, then usually do it wrong by sliding it when they should be inserting it, or inserting it when they should slide it. Then they have to push the button that says either credit or debit, then they have to wait for it to get approved. Then they put the credit card back in their wallet, then put the wallet back in their pocket (or put in their purse). Of course, the cashier also has to give them the receipt. Sometimes the person then has to sign the receipt. > > I think using cash is faster. On the other hand, there are the hypothetical cash users who dig through their pockets/wallets/change purses/handbags for exactly the right amount of change, ending up taking longer than open wallet, remove credit card, swipe/insert credit card, put credit card and wallet back, thank cashier and leave. So using a credit card is faster. ---
**Author:** ![TheCuse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thecuse/32/2854_2.png) [@TheCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheCuse)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-is-king-oh-really-is-it-do-you-carry-cash-are-you-plastic-always-all-the-time/922191/58 "2020-10-05T13:02:05Z")
^^^Yeah. I guess it depends upon your experiences and who you’re stuck behind in line. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-is-king-oh-really-is-it-do-you-carry-cash-are-you-plastic-always-all-the-time/922191/59 "2020-10-05T13:12:23Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > On the other hand, there are the hypothetical cash users who dig through their pockets/wallets/change purses/handbags for exactly the right amount of change… When they get out one of those oval split top plastic change purses you know you’ll be there for a while as they count out 93 cents in pennies and nickels. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-is-king-oh-really-is-it-do-you-carry-cash-are-you-plastic-always-all-the-time/922191/60 "2020-10-05T16:04:09Z")
Yeah ‘cash is king’ means that if I’m running a business, I’d much rather have your invoice as PAID rather than a promise to pay regardless of who you are. As far as me as a person, I never use cash except in rare circumstances. The last time was earlier this year, at Mardi Gras. Cash is very handy for buying drinks on Fat Tuesday and also at the casino. Otherwise, it’s basically street festivals and really crowded bars where I’ll use cash. Street festivals have almost gotten to the point where I can pay by card reliably. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-is-king-oh-really-is-it-do-you-carry-cash-are-you-plastic-always-all-the-time/922191.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-is-king-oh-really-is-it-do-you-carry-cash-are-you-plastic-always-all-the-time/922191.md?page=4)