I've mentioned before that I'm currently in the "charge everything and pay off the balance in full each month" club. Since Free Money Finance and SingleMa do the same thing, I'm in good company. And Marc and I are quite responsible. Not only do we pay off our credit cards in full each month, we contribute to 401(k) plans, pay off debt (student loans and mortgage), and save money. Our spending is definitely not out of control.
But that's not to say that we couldn't spend less each month. For Alex, Christmas lasts the whole year - by which I mean, he constantly gets new toys (though many of them are from his grandparents, not us). We eat very well. And now that I'm really trying not to buy things just because they're heavily discounted, I realize how many things I've bought that I really don't need.
So I'm seriously considering an all-cash experiment. If I decide that I can/want to do it, then I'll talk to Marc and try to get him on board.
What's giving me pause? Let's go through the list:
- Losing credit card rewards. We have one card that we use the most, and two others that we use for certain purchases. All of them come with rewards, and I hate the thought of not getting that benefit.
- I don't like the thought of carrying a lot of cash. Marc and I both have small wallets. And I don't like carrying a lot of cash around because it makes me feel vulnerable. I suppose I could only carry what I think I'll need for the day and leave some at home.
- I hate going to the bank. I haven't used an ATM in years. I don't even know the pin for my ATM/debit card. If I need cash, I get it when I go to the bank to make a deposit. I'm afraid that going to all-cash will require extra trips to the bank, and it's not like I have any extra time these days.
- I don't want to be caught short. It would be humiliating to go to pay for something, only to realize I don't have enough money. I suppose I could carry a credit card for these situations, though - and try not to get into these situations in the first place!
- Cash doesn't carry the same kind of protection as credit cards. We wouldn't be able to dispute a charge through the credit card company if something we purchased didn't live up to expectations (though I admit, this is a rare occurrence.)
7 comments:
It might make a worthwhile experiment!
I think it depends on a person's previous spending habits, but maybe people could save more if they knew they just had $50 to spend at the grocery and nothing more.
Normaly, when I go to the check out lane, I know how much my purchase will cost within a few dollars. But, if I only had cash, I'd probably be more inclined to know it to the penny.
Every family is different so yeah results would vary.
Our family did it 10/12 months last year and we saved tons. I don't have numbers but we never ran over budget with cash. We were more conscious of our spending. And We only went to the bank once or twice a month for cash because we planned. And we kept a $20 in the car for gas in case we didn't have cash on hand. But even there it was usually just a matter of planning and getting gas regularly so I didn't run out.
For groceries it meant thinking about my running total as I'm shopping so I don't over run my cash supply that I had on hand.
And yes, if you don't have cash and see an unadvertised sale you may not be able to take advantage. But it also just means you PLAN and you keep cash in your wallet.
Yes cards have rewards and there is not the same stress about losing your wallet. But there is the principle and control of having the cash.
Of not putting money into the CC companies pockets from processing fees paid by the stores/merchants. So merchants make more money.
It works but you have to have discipline. And you have to want to do the cash.
Let me tell you, that fear of not being able to cover the cost?
...single most effective way to resist impulse buys!
I do see the benefits of paying off a credit card each month. However, paying cash feels like you're spending money instead of mindlessly swiping.
That alone has caused a higher level of consciousness about our buying patterns.
I've tried an all cash plan, but I do get nervous carrying cash beyond even $20, and for some things (like gas), there's no way that's adequate. I try to manage my spending in other ways, like writing down every purchase.
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Ryan
http://uncommon-cents.net/
If you decide to do it, please let us know how it's going soon. I've considered the same thing and am curious about it.
Thanks for the link.
Let me know if you decide to do it again. I will probably try again in the next few months and it might anyone doing it to have some support from others doing the same thing.
@ryan - You could tried prepaid credit cards for things like gas. It isn't cash, but it is finite.
I've posted an update here.
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