# How much cash is in your wallet right now? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 6, 2010, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-cash-is-in-your-wallet-right-now/531545 "2010-03-06T18:34:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2010, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-cash-is-in-your-wallet-right-now/531545/21 "2010-03-06T20:44:43Z")
42 and I typically carry $30-120 in my wallet, averaging closer to $60-80, which is about what I have now. I find it convenient - as it happens I went out with a friend to breakfast place this morning that only accepts cash. ---
**Author:** ![SandyHook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dec6dc/32.png) [@SandyHook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SandyHook)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2010, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-cash-is-in-your-wallet-right-now/531545/22 "2010-03-06T20:52:03Z")
$505. My cash on hand varies a lot. In mid January we took off on a trip to warmer climes with being gone 4-8 weeks in mind. I got $1,000 out of the bank and gave Ms Hook $300 We generally put everything (and I mean **everything** on our credit cards) but you need cash when traveling. When we got back I had about $600 left and have been slowly using that up. When I get down to $20-30 I’ll probably go to the bank and get a couple of hundred. But that probably won’t be until May or June. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2010, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-cash-is-in-your-wallet-right-now/531545/23 "2010-03-06T20:53:18Z")
I keep a gold Sackie in there all the time, and there are a few miscellaneous pennies. When I carry cash, it’s in my pocket. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2010, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-cash-is-in-your-wallet-right-now/531545/24 "2010-03-06T21:01:38Z")
I actually just checked this morning, because I’m doing a movie and dinner with several friends tonight and want to make sure I’m covered for my portion of dinner (actually mine and my friend’s whose birthday treat this is). I’ve currently got three 20s and a bunch of ones, which tells me the last time I went to the supermarket I had less than $20 and got $60 cash back. I like having cash for purchases under $5 or so – it seems silly to use a debit card for a soda or a magazine – and for paying my share when splitting a tab with friends. ETA: I’m 55 y.o. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2010, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-cash-is-in-your-wallet-right-now/531545/25 "2010-03-06T21:08:23Z")
None. 41 year old male. The only time I use cash is when I go to some of the bars around here or to spring training baseball. Thankfully, my bank refunds ATM fees so I don’t care how much the ATM fee is. The local bars are pretty much cash only. I think you can use a card for a very large tab, but not for the 2 beers type. I’ll usually get cash for sporting events even if they take cards. I’m usually just buying beer and peanuts so the small kiosks are much faster than waiting in line for the full concession area. ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2010, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-cash-is-in-your-wallet-right-now/531545/26 "2010-03-06T21:46:29Z")
I keep $25 emergency cash behind my drivers license, otherwise the total would be $0. When I carry cash otherwise, which is atypical, I keep it in my pocket. This is a habit picked up from my time in the Army. It was suggested that we should always keep that minimum amount to avoid vagrancy statutes. Oh yeah, 41 y/o male. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2010, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-cash-is-in-your-wallet-right-now/531545/27 "2010-03-06T22:03:01Z")
Currently, I have $7 exactly, which is leftover from an ATM withdrawal last weekend. I generally don’t have much in the way of cash on me as I use my debit card (which functions as a credit card when I need it, as well) whenever I make most purchases. I’m 32. ---
**Author:** ![KennerTheGreat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a8b319/32.png) [@KennerTheGreat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KennerTheGreat)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2010, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-cash-is-in-your-wallet-right-now/531545/28 "2010-03-06T22:06:15Z")
31, and no cash on hand right now. On the rare occasions I have cash on hand, it’s usually in the neighbourhood of forty dollars. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2010, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-cash-is-in-your-wallet-right-now/531545/29 "2010-03-06T22:11:44Z")
34, male, and $0. Since I began living on my own about five months ago, I’ve almost completely stopped dealing in cash. The only time it’s annoying is when I go out with friends and we’re trying to split the bill. But beyond that, I really haven’t run into any place where lacking cash has been a problem. I’m reminded, however, that I’m having dinner with friends tonight, so I should really try to find an ATM. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Zjestika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/8edcca/32.png) [@Zjestika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zjestika)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2010, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-cash-is-in-your-wallet-right-now/531545/30 "2010-03-06T22:14:32Z")
$12. I went to the ATM yesterday for a $20, bought a single beer at the liquor store for about $3 (a Founder’s Breakfast Stout), and got $5 in quarters for the laundry. I’ll fritter the money away over the next couple of days and won’t get another $20 until next weekend. I use my bank card for most purchases, but I like to have a couple dollars on me. Forgot: 31yo female. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2010, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-cash-is-in-your-wallet-right-now/531545/31 "2010-03-06T22:17:59Z")
1. Historically I was a cash user & carried $100+ all the time. Credit cards were for purchases over about $50. 49 and down was cash, baby; cold hard untraceable cash! Two years ago I was on an extended overseas business trip where A) the locals used debit/POS for most purchases, and B) I was on 100% expenses so using my company CC for everything was the easiest way to handle that. Changed my life. Now I carry some cash in the car, and one folded-up 20 buried in my card case / wallet. I pay for 100% of everything by CC now. That 20 hasn’t been touched in months. ---
**Author:** ![Bootis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@Bootis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootis)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2010, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-cash-is-in-your-wallet-right-now/531545/32 "2010-03-06T22:27:49Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Does anyone have any examples of situations where you can’t pre-plan to have cash and would absolutely be fucked without it? There is a stretch of highway not far from Pittsburgh that has about 100 miles of no 24hour gas stations. I got caught there driving cross country at 3 am, and ran out of gas in the middle of nowhere. I had to call 911 to get a tow truck to bring me gas and he charged me $60 cash only. I would have had to stay the night in my car there with no heat in the middle of winter otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2010, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-cash-is-in-your-wallet-right-now/531545/33 "2010-03-06T22:30:52Z")
Age 55. I hit the ATM every week or ten days and usually take out a hundred, with the cash used mostly for breakfasts, lunches and trips to the supermarket. When I get down to about $20 or so, it’s time for another visit to the ATM. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2010, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-cash-is-in-your-wallet-right-now/531545/34 "2010-03-06T22:36:47Z")
1. I rarely have more than $10-20 cash on me when I haven’t gotten it for a specific reason. I pay for most things with my debit card. ---
**Author:** ![Desert\_Nomad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desert_nomad/32/177_2.png) [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2010, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-cash-is-in-your-wallet-right-now/531545/35 "2010-03-06T22:47:37Z")
[quote=“LSLGuy, post:31, topic:531545”] Two years ago I was on an extended overseas business trip where A) the locals used debit/POS for most purchases, and B) I was on 100% expenses so using my company CC for everything was the easiest way to handle that./QUOTE] I once went nearly 3 months without seeing an ATM (there were none in the countries I was in (Iran and North/East neighbors), nor any neighboring country that I could get to). Cash always works too. Another time, I was in Kuwait when the country’s ATM network went down on the day I was flying out… at times like these, cash is the only way to go. ---
**Author:** ![Audrey\_Levins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Audrey\_Levins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Audrey_Levins)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2010, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-cash-is-in-your-wallet-right-now/531545/36 "2010-03-06T22:53:30Z")
31 years old, and I don’t know exactly how much cash; I bartend and I’m lazy about going to the bank so I generally have at least 500 in my wallet. Sometimes over a thousand. Is it foolish to carry that much cash around? Probably. But at least I’m never that person putting a $2 coffee on a freakin’ credit card. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Student\_Driver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Student\_Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Student_Driver)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2010, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-cash-is-in-your-wallet-right-now/531545/37 "2010-03-06T23:04:00Z")
$0. I’m 35. I use my debit card nearly exclusively. I’ll get $20 out tonight for laundry, though. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2010, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-cash-is-in-your-wallet-right-now/531545/38 "2010-03-06T23:10:18Z")
About $8 right now, as we haven’t been to the ATM in awhile. I just use pocket cash for very small purchases, usually getting $100 at a time from the money machine. Everything else goes on plastic. ---
**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:** [March 7, 2010, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-cash-is-in-your-wallet-right-now/531545/39 "2010-03-07T02:21:25Z")
I usually have $2 to $40 in crumpled up bills in my pocket and little or nothing in my wallet. Yesterday, however, since, I’m traveling, I got out $200 and put it in my wallet. Most of it is stil there. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2010, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-cash-is-in-your-wallet-right-now/531545/40 "2010-03-07T02:24:11Z")
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