To be more specific, if you're not using cash as your preferred method, why do you use a card and what company is it by? Haven't found this topic so let me give my answers: 9/10 I want to use my debit card to pay off items when I go into a store. I like the benefits of using a card and not worrying about losing money (it has happened to me to my surprise). Some cards will give you a bonus in a few cents for every purchase you make. The more you spend, the more you make. I personally use my "Paypal Business Debit Card" for all my goodies. Always liked the service and connectivity it has more than my actual bank card. That and I feel safer using it with it connected to my bank account. Also a plus that I have money from online marketing going directly to my PayPal. It's just more convenient for me than to withdraw money from an ATM or risk losing my money somehow. Now that 1/10 is money I never deposited. If I have it on me and I'm lazy, I'll use it over the cards. Just those rare days of not wanting to push in my PIN. Ha. Of course having cash can be a necessity at times. Doesn't hurt to carry some in case some vending machine is around that only accepts change. =p I had an instance when McDonalds said "Our machines are down, we can only take cash." That one time I didn't have cash. It was sad. =/
I usually use my Visa debit card, because I had a job and would regularly deposit money onto it. I would transfer 50 or 100 into my savings with each paycheck, and be free to spend the rest. Now, I don't have a job, and have hid my debit card from myself to remind me not to use it. I'm relying on cash from babysitting and doing tasks for my parents, because if I keep the habit of using my card, I will be broke and have fines. PNC Bank says I have my overdraft fees turned off, yet I keep getting them, but they cannot explain because they don't know why. Switching banks as soon as I move... they give me a headache!
I will usually pay on credit, because I like paying the total amount at once. It's easier to know how much I spent and it also accumulates points on my credit card, which I can exchange for airline miles or products. I very rarely pay things cash anymore, I rarely even have cash with me. The only things I pay in cash are those that don't accept any other options.
I always stick to cash whenever I buy anything outside. Although I have a debit card but I make an effort not to use it. I don't want to overspend on things so not using a card is good practice. Right now, I only use my card for purchasing things on the internet.
It may always be safer to bring around a credit or debit card, however the most common mode of payment in my country is cash. That's because there are many stores around the corners that don't accept credit or debit cards, so cash is always the easiest and fastest mode of payment. I prefer paying with cash because that's usually the accepted one.
I always use cash. It over sensitizes me to how much money I'm actually spending, I mean compared to just pleasantly swiping a card like some kind of rich CEO, having to pull bills off your wallet and feeling it deflate beneath your hands is not as pleasant. Also paying in cash assures you that no matter what store you're in, your payment will be accepted, some stores don't have the option for your to pay using your card.
I am also someone who prefers to pay for things with cash, my reason is that I always end up having my card declined despite having money in my account and I get very embarrassed and everyone stares at you as the assistant scans it again and it might take three attempts to work. People think that is weird, but at least I don't get embarrassed as much these days.
I use my credit card for almost all of my purchases. I get a pretty good sized cash back bonus and since it I pay my full balance at the end of each month, it is actually better to pay with my credit card. It also helps to improve my credit score, so why not? I really don't remember the last time I payed cash for anything, come to think of it.
Cash! Because I CANNOT use 'credit,' & 'debit cards' aren't that far removed. The main reason I 'lost it' on credit-cards was that I got 'roped into' a subscription-service ... I had enough on hand to pay for 1 installment of the service, but--not having a job nor a big enough steady income--I couldn't keep my credit-card (one o` those ones college-freshmen get with a free T-shirt & "free" phone) above water when the REST of the payments were due! So I prefer the cash because--even if I LIE and say I'll have the cash--you CAN'T take it from me if I don't have it!
I always pay cash since I refuse to have any other credit card than my prepaid visa. I also never use my bank card, no matter how often I am told visa pay wave is ultra convenient. I like to pay cash because that way it just feels real to me. Money notes are being exchanged, whereas on a card I could so easily overspend as I don't have those notes in my hand and feel the pain of parting with them. Also when I pay cash, I often get better deals and discounts.
Because of the inconvenience of having to withdraw cash from an ATM [pay a commission on that] and fighting the urge to do impulse buying because you have the cash on you, I'd rather use a debit card pre-loaded with only the specific amount of money I intend to spend in a store, supermarket, etc. Because I have to make a list and ensure I buy only what is on the list, I think having a debit card comes in handy in helping you save money that you could have spent buying something which you didn't need that much [and had not planned for].
I only use my debit card, I never carry cash anymore. When a dollar or change does make it into the house, I put it in the Ice Cream Man jar and save it for summer time for the specific use for the Ice Cream Truck. Other than that, I don't have any reason or need for cash.
I don't like using cash at all at this point. I rarely carry it even. Otherwise, I use my credit card. I pay it off monthly, so I'm not adding up any extra interest expense. It offers reward points for me, though, unlike my debit card, so I do get a little bit of cash back over time, which is a nice little bonus perk for using the card. So long as I am able to pay it off and am not overextending, then I see no problem with it.
If you're a shopaholic, it's quite unsafe to use a credit card, however, it comes in handy in many scenarios. I honestly don't trust myself with a credit card because I'd probably spend and spend and spend without a solid source of income. I currently earn money online, and my source of income has been unsteady due to the fact that I work only when I want to. However, if I was given a credit card, I'd probably spend all the time and I'd end up in debt. My mind would probably change about credit cards if I had a steady job.
Why hasn't this developed into a debate over which method is THE one-and-only right method to use. (Obviously because you phrased the question 'which way do you prefer?'---making it more a 'what's your favorite color?'-type question). But which way is THE right way? 'Credit' would be right, if we were all Socialists ... and I mean 'Socialism' so pure that ALL OF US are spending money on EACH OF US (i.e. my expenses and your expenses both show up on the People's bill ... in the upcoming One World-Government ). But in Capitalism--where my Capital is mine & your Capital is yours and never the twain shall meet (the same way Satan & Lucifer never inhabited the same body ... when Satan became, Lucifer ceased to exist)--Cash is the right way. Otherwise, money's just 'numbers'---with nothing to say 'these are my numbers & these are yours.'
When shopping I prefer to use my debit card. I use my debit card several times a day. I prefer using my debit card to shop, but I really need to start using cash. The problem I have with using a debit card is that I often go throughout the day using it, but I don't keep track of how much I've spent. Because I don't keep accurate record of my debit card purchases a few times I found that I over drafted on my account. I also tend to spend more money using my debit card than if I used cash. When using cash I can withdraw a certain amount from the bank and tell myself once it is gone that is it. I don't have the same self control when using a debit card.
I prefer using a debit card. Credit cards are a slippery slope so I try to restrain it's use to big purchases and cash can be a bit bothersome to carry, unless it's small amounts, which I use for tiny purchases.
Well, it looks like I will be the odd man out. I use my credit card for most purchases. Part of the reason for that is that I am old enough to have had a credit card before the advent of the ATM and debit cards. My parents always used credit cards and they always did so in a responsible manner. For me it was just a logical transition to credit cards as they were a way to avoid having to go into the bank and wait in line for a teller to get cash. I rarely use my debit card - only if, for some reason, my credit card fails to swipe or read. I pay my card off in full each month so I pay no interest, have no debit card fees, and I have a record of all my purchases along with the added item protection that my card provides. For a lot of people the difference is all about when in the history of banking they entered the picture.
I actually don't carry cash at all anymore and actually have only needed cash like two or three times in the past 6 months. There are just very few goods or businesses that don't accept a debit or credit card and paying in that fashion is just easier and more convenient. It's also better to keep track of my expenses in that way as it's really easy to forget how much you're spending when using cash over a long period of time. I try and use my debit as much as possible as to avoid racking up credit card debt though. My usage is probably 70% debit and 30% credit for my purchases.
I use either debit or cash but never credit when shopping. The only times I'd use debit is when I don't bring enough cash to cover all my purchases or when I eat at fancy restaurants where paying cash seems like too much of a hassle. As long as I pay straight from my own earnings and not through debt, then it doesn't matter whether it's cash or debit.
