Wednesday, December 30, 2020

I don't carry cash. I probably should.

I've carried a wallet since the age of 14. My first wallet was a Velcro job featuring a large logo of the 80s Australian band Men at Work.

As you might imagine, you couldn't keep the chicks off me.

If I had to guess the percentage of time over nearly four decades when there has been cash in my wallet, it would probably be something like 15% to 20%. Seriously, I seldom have actual currency in there.

Even in the mid-80s before I had a credit card, I rarely had cash on me. When I worked at Wendy's in 1986 and would get paid, I would almost immediately spend that money on Terry. It never lasted long.

(This was a great investment, by the way, seeing as how we've been together for nearly 35 years now. Rarely does a bet pay off so well.)

According to at least one website, however, my cash-less approach is not a good one.

The boys at ArtofManliness.com suggest five reasons why a guy should still carry cash in the 2020s. The reasons are pretty much what you would expect:
  • To handle emergency situations that require cash
  • To tip more generously (since credit card tips are subject to card company fees)
  • To tip service providers who aren't directly involved in customer transactions
  • To discipline your spending habits
  • To protect your privacy
Still, I'm not running to the bank to grab cash any time soon.

For one thing, every time I have cash, my wife--the chief financial officer of our family--wants to know why I have it. I have to file a report whenever I want to get at my own money. (I'm kidding...sort of.)

Also, I find myself using Apple Pay and other electronic methods of payment more and more frequently.

So I'm good where I am. I should carry at least a little cash, admittedly, even if just for emergencies.

I'm definitely going to ask Terry if it's OK.

2 comments:

  1. Since adding one of those credit cards holders to the back of my cell phone case I haven't carried a wallet in years. I do have a couple $20s stashed inside my phone case in case I find myself in a situation where I need cash...although $20s don't work well for tipping - well works well for the receiver :)

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