Black Friday my moms observation...

[Jims5543]

My mom works at the fine jewelry counter at Jc Penney in the mall. On black Friday she had to report to work at 4:00 a.m. to open by 5:00 a.m. The store had a $70K day.

But she noticed something weird, every time the security guys came around to empty the cash from the register, there was not enough to remove.

After comparing notes with other sales people and security, she said easily, store wide, 95%-98% of the sales were credit card sales. No cash, no checks, all credit. She has never seen this ratio ever before.

I know some of that could be debit cards but it makes you wonder. We know our nations economy is measured by this seasons sales in stores, how much of this years sales is actually money spent vs. going in debt further?

[pmajka]

bank cards are as good as cash, and thats just like money

[notfarnow]

I never carry cash, unless I'm buying something used.

I'll use debit for small stuff here & there, but my wife and I generally put EVERYTHING on our credit card, then pay in full each month. Our bills are on automatic payment from the CC, and even my paypal car parts go through the

Even if it's renovation stuff that we're going to pay from the line of credit, it goes on the credit card, then gets paid by the LOC. In 2 years, we have never, ever carried a balance.

I find it easier... you just look at you credit card balance online to see what you month is like. If all your bills & spending are consolidated, it's easier to make sure you don't overspend.


We go to Mexico for a week in February, thanks to the air miles.

[KFC911]

I've never use my CC, but live off my debit card (with the cash back option being my ATM machine). I sure hope those folks don't carry CC balances forward...then again, our national debt has gone from 5 to 9 TRILLION the past few years, so they're probably just playing "follow the leaderer" .

[Jims5543]

I agree, I do the same thing. My AMEX card gets all my charges and paid off (normally) each month.

I get points on the card that I can use for hotel stays.

But, not everyone does this. Not everyone uses debit cards. My mom has been working Jewelry for over 12 years and she says this is the first year there was no cash at all in the drawer and barely a check. Once again, I do agree many are switching over to electronic transactions and it may have finally made is presence known in the mall.

[Mo_Gearhead]

Age probably plays a large part. I'm a 'geezer'. I pay for most things with cash (except large purchases).

So amusing to be at lunch and see people swiping a credit card or writing a check to buy a $10 meal!

Never used an ATM machine ...never will. Never had a debit card ...never will.

Different strokes.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Mo_Gearhead

Age probably plays a large part. I'm a 'geezer'. I pay for most things with cash (except large purchases).

So amusing to be at lunch and see people swiping a credit card or writing a check to buy a $10 meal!

Never used an ATM machine ...never will. Never had a debit card ...never will.

Different strokes.

I tend to agree...I'm 47, but worked for banks early in my career, and jumped right on the debit card bandwagon back when they first appeared. I don't "nickel & dime" with my card, but just about every purchase over say 30-40 bucks will be via my debit card (and I usually get $50-100 in cash back if I didn't have the cash on me). My dad would/will never use a card of any type, and typically has hundreds in his billfold (that is, until mom shows up ).

[RoninLB]

Originally Posted by Mo_Gearhead

Age probably plays a large part. I'm a 'geezer'. I pay for most things with cash (except large purchases).

Different strokes.

ditto


It's a privacy issue w/me. What i spend and where i spend it is nobody's business. It's bad enough that my phone calls can be traced.

A few months ago i was traveling x-country in the 911 for 49 days and didn't use my card once. My profile is exactly that, it belongs to me. Screw big brother and if i see a fuch'en satellite following me I'm gonna shoot it down.

[notfarnow]

Originally Posted by RoninLB

ditto


It's a privacy issue w/me. What i spend and where i spend it is nobody's business. It's bad enough that my phone calls can be traced.

A few months ago i was traveling x-country in the 911 for 49 days and didn't use my card once. My profile is exactly that, it belongs to me. Screw big brother and if i see a fuch'en satellite following me I'm gonna shoot it down.

That's a good point. I've often wondered how the bank uses this info, and who they pass it along/sell it to. Those profiles must be quite valuable.

[gprsh924]

I find it convenient to use my debit card because all my purchases listed, that way I know what I am spending.

As for the credit card, my parents buy everything with them. When we bought our Xterra two years ago, my dad tried to buy it with the CC, but they would only let him put $2000 of it on the CC, the rest had to be a check because of the fees associated with the card. My mom does not carry cash and my dad only does because he travels every week and you sometimes need it for parking or to tip someone. Often, when I am home, he has to borrow cash from me for the week because he forgets to go to the ATM. Even though I don't use cash for most things because I get paid in cash (and I can't get booze with a card for another year and a half).

ETA: They pay the bill in full each month, every single month. They have never carried a penny forward on it.

[Rick Lee]

So how do you guys pay for your Internet porn subscriptions?

[notfarnow]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

So how do you guys pay for your Internet porn subscriptions?

I started my own site, I'm famous on teh innernet

Seriously, for purchases that I don't want to justify (read: can't justify) I have a "slush fund" that I maintain by buying VW diesel engines locally and parting them out into the states. It's all by paypal, and I have a 2nd credit card with a low limit. Allows my hobbies to pay for themselves.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

So how do you guys pay for your Internet porn subscriptions?

Paying for porn on the internet is silly. There's more free porn than I could download in a year at ethernet speeds. Pay??? That's just silly.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by masraum

Paying for porn on the internet is silly. There's more free porn than I could download in a year at ethernet speeds. Pay??? That's just silly.

I agree, but to download full length movies you usually need to pay....or at least that's what I've heard.

[cstreit]

I think using the credit card has become the norm for paying...

Personally I rarely carry much cash any more (muggers take note). I use my credit cards for nearly everything, but I NEVER carry a balance. I like the points and the convenience. In fact it helps as a financial planning tool. I have one for household expenses, one for my business expenses, and one for the "man fund". Makes tracking expenses very convenient. Last two years we got a lot of freebies on the cards including a nice Bose surround system, some hi-end kitchen stuff, and some trips.