# Lost dollar bills Should just go cashless **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 21, 2017, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-dollar-bills-should-just-go-cashless/787180 "2017-05-21T23:09:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2017, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-dollar-bills-should-just-go-cashless/787180/21 "2017-05-22T20:06:09Z")
> [@iamthewalrus\_3](#): > > But credit cards can work just fine if the power goes out. Bring out the ca-chunk-ca-chunk machine and carbon sales slips… > [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Do stores still have those? Even as a back-up for power outages? Yeah, that was my thought - my store certainly doesn’t have the ca-chunk-ca-chunk machine and carbon sales slips anymore. No power, no credit. Hell, network problems and then no credit, I remember a couple days over the last few years when there was some problem with the network(s) and we could only do cash sales even though the power was still on. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2017, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-dollar-bills-should-just-go-cashless/787180/22 "2017-05-22T20:17:37Z")
The ca-chunk-ca-chunk machine is called an imprinter. Around here there is a gas station that no longer takes checks and does that idiotic higher price per gallon for credit cards thing that I thought all gas stations had gotten rid of. To avoid all that nonsense, you are pretty much forced to use cash. The other gas station doesn’t do that but it closes really early in the evening and is not open at all on Sunday afternoon. ---
**Author:** ![Scribble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scribble/32/3317_2.png) [@Scribble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scribble)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2017, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-dollar-bills-should-just-go-cashless/787180/23 "2017-05-22T21:49:12Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > I’m really curious about where you live. I haven’t been many places in the US where this is the case. I’m in Upper Manhattan (the Washington Heights/ Inwood area). If you want to buy anything off the street (and there’s plenty to buy from vendors), you’re almost always going to pay in cash. Some of the restaurants are cash-only. If you buy from a local store in person or by phone and get delivery, the delivery guy almost always gets paid and/or tipped in cash. There’s a local writers’ group that has monthly readings in a restaurant near me. The admission fee is $5, cash only. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2017, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-dollar-bills-should-just-go-cashless/787180/24 "2017-05-22T22:37:57Z")
On the rare occasions that I have to pay my doctor (e.g. to fill a form that says that I am fit to drive at age 80–and every two years thereafter), my chiropracter, my footcare technician, I need cash or a cheque. When my yardman (mows grass in summer, clears snow in winter) does something extra, I give him cash (probably he doesn’t report it). We pay our cleaning lady cash. If I get something in a convenience store for $5 or $10, usually cash. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-dollar-bills-should-just-go-cashless/787180/25 "2017-05-23T00:20:54Z")
I haven’t been to a doctor who didn’t take credit cards for a long time. The yard man we use not only takes credit cards, he only takes credit cards. Cleaning lady took cards when I had one. Here in Austin we have a lot of food trucks, and the ones I’ve used take cards. Yes, sometimes I might find cash easier but to say I’m being “irresponsible” if I don’t carry cash is a little … um, not fitting my life style I guess. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-dollar-bills-should-just-go-cashless/787180/26 "2017-05-23T00:34:52Z")
I’m another one who never carries cash. Just stopped a few years ago. If I’m going someplace where I’ll leave a tip, it’s usually a planned event, and I can go to an ATM first. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-dollar-bills-should-just-go-cashless/787180/27 "2017-05-23T01:31:10Z")
BTW: last summer, I found a hundred dollar bill on a parking lot. My husband was a little annoyed with my for putting it right in the bank, but what was I supposed to do? It had been trodden on a few times, and had been there a while. I could have taken it to the closest office, but what was I going to say? “Ask everyone who comes in if they lost a hundred dollars”? right. Maybe I should say “Only give it to someone who can identify it by serial number.” ETA: I have twice found twenty dollars, and twice found $100, although the first time, it was obvious who lost it, and I returned it, for a $40 reward split with my friend who found it with me. I once lost $10. That still puts me ahead $150. When I lost the $10, was probably when I last stopped carrying “emergency” cash. ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-dollar-bills-should-just-go-cashless/787180/28 "2017-05-23T03:31:43Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Bah. I routinely care a couple hundred folded in my front pocket. Haven’t lost a nickel yet. Of course you haven’t lost any nickels, you’re carrying folding money! Gotta get up pret-ty early in th’ morning to fool ol’ Nametag, yep! ---
**Author:** ![WildBlueYonder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ce7236/32.png) [@WildBlueYonder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildBlueYonder)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-dollar-bills-should-just-go-cashless/787180/29 "2017-05-23T11:08:08Z")
There are merchant hold outs because they dont want to pay for the machine that takes the plastic. There’s only one place that we have patronized that doesnt take the plastic. An old drive in restaurant. Good food but only cash or checks. ---
**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:** [May 23, 2017, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-dollar-bills-should-just-go-cashless/787180/30 "2017-05-23T23:06:12Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > I haven’t been to a doctor who didn’t take credit cards for a long time. The medical group where my primary care physician practices went cashless a while back so you can pay your co-pay immediately with a credit card or check, or they will send you a bill and you’ll need to send back a check. Most people don’t think about it but there are real costs involved in handling cash, and some vendors would rather not do so. ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-dollar-bills-should-just-go-cashless/787180/31 "2017-05-28T04:12:50Z")
I almost always have cash. Even larger amounts since the chip fell out of my debit card, and maybe 3 out of 10 places let me swipe it. Even when we went on vacation, I had several hundred dollars of cash on me. I prefer to pay with cash if I can. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-dollar-bills-should-just-go-cashless/787180/32 "2017-05-28T08:30:08Z")
Huh. I still use cash for some purposes, and I do still have a supply of checks as well. Maybe OP is just clumsy. ---
**Author:** ![Kimera757](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kimera757/32/3765_2.png) [@Kimera757](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimera757)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-dollar-bills-should-just-go-cashless/787180/33 "2017-05-28T13:07:52Z")
> [@ioioio](#): > > It’s just as easy to lose a card as it is to lose cash. My cards tend to get lost when I feel pressured to get through checkout and don’t take the time to return the card to its proper place in my wallet. That has not been my experience. My wallet has slots for cards, and so I never lose them. Bills, however, are too large to fit into slots and just go into a fairly open “pocket”. So far this year I’ve lost $10 that way. Unfortunately not using cash isn’t possible just yet. There’s at least one place I visit every month or two that is cash-only, and there’s no alternatives to it in my area. ---
**Author:** ![MoonMoon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonmoon/32/2959_2.png) [@MoonMoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoonMoon)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-dollar-bills-should-just-go-cashless/787180/34 "2017-05-28T14:15:19Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > How would you contribute to the birthday gift fund without cash? > > I always have cash and cannot understand the resistance to carry some at all times. In fact, I believe it approaches irresponsibility to not have $20 or so. There are any number of reasons one might need or want cash: > > A bathroom emergency at a cash-only establishment that requires purchase; > Tipping an above-and-beyond towtruck driver; > Fuel at a cash only gas station; > Quarters for an unexpectedly low tire; > Need a bottle of water but the merchant (right or wrong) imposes a $20 minimum transaction; > An outstanding street performer; > A hat is passed for the band at a tavern; > The [tamale guy](https://www.eater.com/2016/4/12/11410344/the-tamale-guy-chicago) shows up at the bar at a time when tamales are so very badly needed; > Power or network outage when essentials are needed. > > I tip waitstaff in cash whenever I can, too. Too many crooked restaurant owners/managers steal from servers’ tips. I’ve never run into any of those scenarios. In fact, since our farmer’s market started taking plastic, I can’t think of a single time I’ve needed cash in years. ---
**Author:** ![Scribble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scribble/32/3317_2.png) [@Scribble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scribble)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-dollar-bills-should-just-go-cashless/787180/35 "2017-05-29T10:56:44Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > The medical group where my primary care physician practices went cashless a while back so you can pay your co-pay immediately with a credit card or check, or they will send you a bill and you’ll need to send back a check. Most people don’t think about it but there are real costs involved in handling cash, and some vendors would rather not do so. Last year, I had a doctor who would accept checks for any payment you mailed to him, but would take cash only for any payment in the office, including the usual insurance co-pay. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-dollar-bills-should-just-go-cashless/787180/36 "2017-05-30T23:59:28Z")
I’ve never tipped a stripper with a credit card. ---
**Author:** ![Weisshund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba8739/32.png) [@Weisshund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weisshund)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2017, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-dollar-bills-should-just-go-cashless/787180/37 "2017-05-31T02:05:51Z")
> [@iamthewalrus\_3](#): > > I agree having options is good. > > But credit cards can work just fine if the power goes out. Bring out the ca-chunk-ca-chunk machine and carbon sales slips… How so? none of mine have raised numbers any more, cant run a charge plate off them ---
**Author:** ![Weisshund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba8739/32.png) [@Weisshund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weisshund)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2017, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-dollar-bills-should-just-go-cashless/787180/38 "2017-05-31T02:11:08Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > I’ve never tipped a stripper with a credit card. LOL If you poke a American Express card in her G String, you may just fond your new wife:D ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2017, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-dollar-bills-should-just-go-cashless/787180/39 "2017-05-31T02:28:45Z")
Get a proper wallet and make sure everything has its place and you ALWAYS know where it is. It is just a habit that a responsible adult has to develop through repetition. I have plenty of personal flaws but I never lose money, credit cards or anything else because I protect them religiously. Nobody touches my wallet except for me and it is always on me or just a few feet away when I sleep. OTOH, I have been through too many ‘mysterious’ losses to count over the years with other people (usually girls or young women but I have seen everyone do it). The talent that some people have for losing things is astounding and a form of mental retardation in my opinion. My ten year old daughter managed to lose a fairly large snow boot at home this winter with no plausible explanation. We still haven’t found it and there is no way that it could be anywhere else but inside because going outside would have required - a complete pair of snowboots. I didn’t have that many good role models but the one thing they did teach me is to take care of your stuff. Develop a routine and have a specific place for everything. Don’t treat your wallet like it is just another accessory because it isn’t. It contains vital personal and financial information and it is hell on earth to replace everything in it if you lose it or manage to get it stolen. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2017, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-dollar-bills-should-just-go-cashless/787180/40 "2017-05-31T11:49:14Z")
> [@Weisshund](#): > > LOL > > If you poke a American Express card in her G String, you may just **fond** your new wife:D (Bolding mine) Great typo!! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-dollar-bills-should-just-go-cashless/787180.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-dollar-bills-should-just-go-cashless/787180.md?page=3)