Show Me The Money...

[Zeb_Carter]

Judge orders Government to change currency ...

A Federal District Judge ordered the U.S. Government to change the look and feel of it's money so that it is more usable by the blind.

Now I have no problem with this as I hardly ever use cash anymore, so my question would be -

Why not use a debit card?

I rarely have cash in my pocket anymore as I either use my debit card or a credit card. I also never, ever, use a check to pay for something in a store. Nor to pay my bills, except for the few which have not caught up with the times and I can't pay online.

When I was in England, and I mean no offense by this, I found the English currency clumsy and not user friendly. I was only there for a month yet still did not get used to the different sized notes.

So why not use a debit card? All ATMs and debit/credit machines in stores are setup for the blind already.

 

[JamesSD]

I'd agree that if I were blind a debit card would be my preferred means of payment. But there are places that just don't take plastic. I suppose you can vary your lifestyle to try to avoid this, but I doubt I could go "cashless" with any level of convienience.

The US currency is overdue for an overhaul anyway. We're one of the few hold-out countries where all our denominations are the exact same shape (and almost the exact same color). Just make the bigger bills a little longer, problem solved.

 

[SeaCat]

I agree that Debit cards would simplify things for many people, and yet I still like the idea of cash.

I would like to see a return of coined money, not just the pennies nickles and dimes but the use of one, five and higher dollar value coins. (Okay so I'm old fashioned.)

Cat

 

[R. Richard]

I would like to see a return of coined money, not just the pennies nickles and dimes but the use of one, five and higher dollar value coins. (Okay so I'm old fashioned.)

Cat

Not too old fashioned. The mint is now trying to drum up interest in a new dollar coin.

However, there is talk of elimiating the cent. The cent is too expensive to make and, with inflation, there are those who hope to see a nickle as the lowest coin in circulation. [Of course, prices would then need to end in $.x5 instead of the old staple $.99]

 

[cloudy]

I agree that Debit cards would simplify things for many people, and yet I still like the idea of cash.

I would like to see a return of coined money, not just the pennies nickles and dimes but the use of one, five and higher dollar value coins. (Okay so I'm old fashioned.)

Cat

The $1 and $2 coins in Canada work quite well.

 

[TheEarl]

I remember talking with the Love Shack chibs about money and they were amazed at the weirdness of English money. I've seen US money on television, so your weird currency didn't confuse me at all, but they were amazed at the thought that you could have over $15 in just 5 coins and that the smallest value note was worth $8.

My response was, "How on earth do you people use vending machines?" They're all fed by coins in England, so having £0.50, £1 and £2 coins are invaluable. The idea of only being able to insert 15p at a time seems ridiculous to me.

Zeb: Off your debit card idea - in England, there are places that don't take debit cards and some which like you to spend a certain amount. Plus, I find it easier to limit my spending when I have cash. I know that I have £15 in my wallet which needs to last me until Sunday. Once it's gone, it's gone. A debit card doesn't let you see how much you've spent as easily.

The Earl

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I remember talking with the Love Shack chibs about money and they were amazed at the weirdness of English money. I've seen US money on television, so your weird currency didn't confuse me at all, but they were amazed at the thought that you could have over $15 in just 5 coins and that the smallest value note was worth $8.

My response was, "How on earth do you people use vending machines?" They're all fed by coins in England, so having £0.50, £1 and £2 coins are invaluable. The idea of only being able to insert 15p at a time seems ridiculous to me.

Zeb: Off your debit card idea - in England, there are places that don't take debit cards and some which like you to spend a certain amount. Plus, I find it easier to limit my spending when I have cash. I know that I have £15 in my wallet which needs to last me until Sunday. Once it's gone, it's gone. A debit card doesn't let you see how much you've spent as easily.

The Earl

Earl: My philosophy is that if they don't take debit or credit cards then I don't shop there. Even the Dollar Tree stores now take debit cards. And if I really need cash for something, like vending machines, then there is always an ATM machine across the street or on the corner.

But lately I have found that my need for cash is getting less and less. And as far as how much I have or need or have spent, it's only a couple of clicks away on the internet...and it's free.

 

[TheEarl]

Earl: My philosophy is that if they don't take debit or credit cards then I don't shop there. Even the Dollar Tree stores now take debit cards. And if I really need cash for something, like vending machines, then there is always an ATM machine across the street or on the corner.

But lately I have found that my need for cash is getting less and less. And as far as how much I have or need or have spent, it's only a couple of clicks away on the internet...and it's free.

I can go into town, buy stuff and tell you exactly how much I've spent, without a click. I can also tell you how much I have left on my week's budget without any technology more complicated than my wallet.

It works for me, cause it means that I can't spend more than I have without making a physical action to go and get more money.

It's a choice thing I guess, which is why a wholesale switching to debit won't work. Some people like the cash option.

The Earl

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I can go into town, buy stuff and tell you exactly how much I've spent, without a click. I can also tell you how much I have left on my week's budget without any technology more complicated than my wallet.

It works for me, cause it means that I can't spend more than I have without making a physical action to go and get more money.

It's a choice thing I guess, which is why a wholesale switching to debit won't work. Some people like the cash option.

The Earl

And I can do the same without the click too. It's all a matter of what you keep in your head. Or how quick you can add up your receipts in your pocket.

I just find it more conveinant to use the debit card. Although when I was younger I did it your way but as I got older I found that using a debit card to make purchases far better as I found myself with less change(coins) being tossed in the change drawer.

 

[cloudy]

And I can do the same without the click too. It's all a matter of what you keep in your head. Or how quick you can add up your receipts in your pocket.

I just find it more conveinant to use the debit card. Although when I was younger I did it your way but as I got older I found that using a debit card to make purchases far better as I found myself with less change(coins) being tossed in the change drawer.

So......

because it's easier for you, everyone should have to do things that way?

 

[TheEarl]

And I can do the same without the click too. It's all a matter of what you keep in your head. Or how quick you can add up your receipts in your pocket.

I just find it more conveinant to use the debit card. Although when I was younger I did it your way but as I got older I found that using a debit card to make purchases far better as I found myself with less change(coins) being tossed in the change drawer.

Change drawer? Maybe it's an English attribute, but all coins just live in my wallet. They're a decent amount of money here.

I can keep it in my head as well. But I can also say "Fuck it" and put something on my debit card, cause I want to. In order to overspend my cash budget, I have to go to an ATM and that's a physical action, rather than a thought. That's harder to ignore.

Anyway, it's not really a case of what you find more convenient, is it? If that was the case, Windows wouldn't give you 15 ways of doing the same thing. It'd just give the one way that Zeb finds most convenient <laughs>.

The Earl

 

[R. Richard]

There are advantages to using cash and to using a credit/debit card.

The one place I find my credit card vastly superior to cash is at the gas [petrol for you UK types] pump. If I over pump by a cent of two, no problem with a credit card. With cash I have to carry a pocket full of change.

JMHO.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

So......

because it's easier for you, everyone should have to do things that way?

Here we go again...putting words in my mouth which I didn't speak.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Change drawer? Maybe it's an English attribute, but all coins just live in my wallet. They're a decent amount of money here.

I can keep it in my head as well. But I can also say "Fuck it" and put something on my debit card, cause I want to. In order to overspend my cash budget, I have to go to an ATM and that's a physical action, rather than a thought. That's harder to ignore.

Anyway, it's not really a case of what you find more convenient, is it? If that was the case, Windows wouldn't give you 15 ways of doing the same thing. It'd just give the one way that Zeb finds most convenient <laughs>.

The Earl

When I came back from the UK I had about 2 pounds in penny and 2 cent coins in my breifcase. At home I have a drawer full of pennys, nickles and dimes. It's quiet full and I should probably make a trip to the Coinstar machine at the grocery store.

I'm not saying that everyone should do as I do, I was just asking the question "Why?".

 

[TheEarl]

When I came back from the UK I had about 2 pounds in penny and 2 cent coins in my breifcase. At home I have a drawer full of pennys, nickles and dimes. It's quiet full and I should probably make a trip to the Coinstar machine at the grocery store.

I'm not saying that everyone should do as I do, I was just asking the question "Why?".

Maybe it is an English attribute then. I (and just about everyone else) carries coins in our wallets/purses and spend them as they go. If we can pay for something with coins, then we purposefully do. I use up all my 1p and 2p pieces whenever something's £x.49 or £x.99, by giving the cashier pounds and then 9p in change or 99p in change.

I tend to find I spend them pretty much as and when. I guess it's an oddity between our countries.

The Earl

 

[Liar]

I can go into town, buy stuff and tell you exactly how much I've spent, without a click. I can also tell you how much I have left on my week's budget without any technology more complicated than my wallet.

It works for me, cause it means that I can't spend more than I have without making a physical action to go and get more money.

It's a choice thing I guess, which is why a wholesale switching to debit won't work. Some people like the cash option.

The Earl

I ish it was an option. I'd love to not have to deal with bills and coins.

I have to take a 20 minute walk to get to the nearest ATM. Which sucks in the winter and pretty much sucks in the summer to, come think of it, due to an ass-numbingly boring route. And the local 24 hour convenience store doesn't do cards. So if I need a bag o peanuts in the middle of the night, I'm screwed. The local pizza joint and bar don't do cards either. And the guys with the fruit and vegetable stand in the square (fresher, tastier and cheaper than any supermarket)? Um, no. The bakery? Yep, but if you shop for less than idunnowhat, there's a card fee. And all I want is my one breakfast croissant, dammit.

I don't live too far out in the middle of nothing. This is in the middle of a large highrise apartment suburb, w shops and services like a small town. But no ATM. And half the places where I can buy stuff, I still need cash. It's weird really, but there you have it.

So in order to get by in this neighborhood. I need to have a cash stash. No wonder this is one of the robbery hotspots in the area.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I ish it was an option. I'd love to not have to deal with bills and coins.

I have to take a 20 minute walk to get to the nearest ATM. Which sucks in the winter and pretty much sucks in the summer to, come think of it, due to an ass-numbingly boring route. And the local 24 hour convenience store doesn't do cards. So if I need a bag o peanuts in the middle of the night, I'm screwed. The local pizza joint and bar don't do cards either. And the guys with the fruit and vegetable stand in the square (fresher, tastier and cheaper than any supermarket)? Um, no. The bakery? Yep, but if you shop for less than idunnowhat, there's a card fee. And all I want is my one breakfast croissant, dammit.

I don't live too far out in the middle of nothing. This is in the middle of a large highrise apartment suburb, w shops and services like a small town. But no ATM. And half the places where I can buy stuff, I still need cash. It's weird really, but there you have it.

So in order to get by in this neighborhood. I need to have a cash stash. No wonder this is one of the robbery hotspots in the area.

And the opposite is true in my neck of the wood, everyone(stores, etc. I use) takes the card and there is no minimum. McDonalds - yep, Jewel (the local chain grocery story) - yep, Wal-Mart - but of course, the corner gas station - yep, the liquor store - yep, the bakery - yep, the drug story (pharmacy) - yep, I don't think I have run into a retailer who doesn't take the card yet.

It's the banks prime directive - a cashless society by the year 2010. Just as the television prime directive is - HDTV will be the standard by 2008.

ETA: Oh I forgot to mention that everyone one of the places mentioned has an ATM on the premise also.

 

[Liar]

And the opposite is true in my neck of the wood, everyone(stores, etc. I use) takes the card and there is no minimum. McDonalds - yep, Jewel (the local chain grocery story) - yep, Wal-Mart - but of course, the corner gas station - yep, the liquor store - yep, the bakery - yep, the drug story (pharmacy) - yep, I don't think I have run into a retailer who doesn't take the card yet.

But the hookers, how about the hookers?

Where's your priorities, man?

 

[Zeb_Carter]

But the hookers, how about the hookers?

Where's your priorities, man?

I think even they take the card and it's billed as "Midwest Medical Practice".

 

[tolyk]

It's not very practical for some places to pay the fees of having an ATM machine. Think about Hot Dog stands, or Taxis.. a wireless system for taxis would cost quite a hefty sum.

I do think it would cut down on muggings to have a cashless society, but the crimes would evolve, we would probably see a rise in hackers and techno-crime.

There are pros and cons to both ways.

And as far as I know, Canada doesn't have different sized bills.. we have brail on the corners.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

It's not very practical for some places to pay the fees of having an ATM machine. Think about Hot Dog stands, or Taxis.. a wireless system for taxis would cost quite a hefty sum.

I do think it would cut down on muggings to have a cashless society, but the crimes would evolve, we would probably see a rise in hackers and techno-crime.

There are pros and cons to both ways.

And as far as I know, Canada doesn't have different sized bills.. we have brail on the corners.

Taxis, at least in the Chicago Metro area have been excepting credit/debit cards for the past 6 years. And there is no fee to own an ATM as that is charged back to the customer using it in the US. A 1 to 2 dollar fee is charged for every use, the business where the machine is located usually owns the ATM. Plus with branch banking there is a bank of some kind on every corner on busy throughfares.

 

[tolyk]

Taxis, at least in the Chicago Metro area have been excepting credit/debit cards for the past 6 years. And there is no fee to own an ATM as that is charged back to the customer using it in the US. A 1 to 2 dollar fee is charged for every use, the business where the machine is located usually owns the ATM. Plus with branch banking there is a bank of some kind on every corner on busy throughfares.

Sorry, I used the wrong term, I meant debit card, not a teller machine.

Sure, in a metro area it's understandable for taxis to have the funds for that, but what of smaller rural areas?

ATM machines are similar here, they charge 1.50 to 2.50 to the customer, but only if it isn't the bank you use. If I go to a TDCanadatrust ATM, I don't get charged anything. But if I go to a Royal bank one, or a generic, there's a fee.

 

[cloudy]

Taxis, at least in the Chicago Metro area have been excepting credit/debit cards for the past 6 years. And there is no fee to own an ATM as that is charged back to the customer using it in the US. A 1 to 2 dollar fee is charged for every use, the business where the machine is located usually owns the ATM. Plus with branch banking there is a bank of some kind on every corner on busy throughfares.

Not everyone lives in a city. In fact, the majority of the US population does not live in a city.

The convenience of a debit card is certainly a nice option, but there are still many, many places that don't accept them, despite what the oh-so-perfect people in Chicago do.

 

[tolyk]

Not everyone lives in a city. In fact, the majority of the US population does not live in a city.

The convenience of a debit card is certainly a nice option, but there are still many, many places that don't accept them, despite what the oh-so-perfect people in Chicago do.

Thank you You said it so much better than I could've

 

[angela146]

First of all, even in the big city there are lots of places that take cash only. In particular there are a lot of street carts, newsstands etc. Many of them are cash only and even the ones that take cards work much easier with cash.

But most importantly, blind people need to be able to handle cash in order to *work* as a cashier at a retail store or a newsstand. Even if a store takes debit cards, they also take cash. The cashier needs to be able to handle cash.