Cash, credit, check, or other: How do you pay for food?
Recently, I was listening to a feature on NPR about credit cards, and one 'financial expert' mentioned how with 'problematic' cardholders, one red flag for the company is when the holder begins charging groceries and other basic necessities.
It popped into my head that unless I have to (like I haven't had a chance to get to the bank) I almost always pay cash for groceries and other basic necessities, like gas. On the other hand, I know some people who always charge necessities as a way of keeping track of how much they spend (and pay the balance off, needless to say, and the end of the month, to make this system work in their favor).
However, growing up, my mother ONLY paid by check in the grocery store--it was her rule you could NEVER charge groceries. I guess on the same principle of never charging basic necessities.
I also only pay cash in restaurants, unless it is avoidable--I hate being the one who charges the meal, and then takes other diners' cash in payment. Usually ends up not working out in the card holder's favor, if you know what I mean.
So, maybe this is an unserious question, but just out of curiosity--how do you pay for food? Cash? Credit or debit card? Or are you the little old lady who is always in front of me in the Express 7 or Less aisle when I have to go to the bathroom, who makes out a check, balances her checkbook, and then gives the cashier a check to pay for her stuff?
And of course, any interesting 'others'--like bartering garden produce with neighbors, mooching free food at work, is always interesting to hear about!
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37 Comments:
Credit for everything. Don't really ever carry cash unless I'm going somewhere I know only takes cash. Makes keeping track of spending easier, plus I don't have to worry about losing anything (a lost credit card is a phone call away from being canceled, and if there are fraudulent charges, the company is going to work to protect its own money).
I know that my credit score is quite high from a recent mortgage re-fi (hooray for dropping down to a 15 year), as is my wife's. We are constantly getting 0% credit card offers in the mail, so take that for what you will.
It's likely that it doesn't matter if you use your card unless it is a strange and sudden departure from normal spending patterns.
dbrackst at 9:48AM on 06/14/09
I always use a debit card nowadays. Who carries around big wads of cash anymore? I never know how much I'll spend at any given time. It's easier to use the card, plus my bank adds on a dollar charge each time I use it and puts it in a savings account for me. I hardly ever write checks anymore, for utilities mostly and even those I sometimes pay online. I hate being behind that slow check writer!!
arm1970 at 10:14AM on 06/14/09
debit for nearly everything. i rarely ever carry cash. the only time i have cash, is if it is given to me (hardly), or if i am doing something that specifically requires cash -- like yesterday's trip to the farmer's market.
kristygarr at 10:17AM on 06/14/09
I write a check for the exact amount .. actually I just sign the check, the grocery store machine prints out everything else.
goodcooker at 10:27AM on 06/14/09
I find I don't overspend if I pay with cash for groceries. If I know I have a certain amount in my wallet, then that ten dollar french cheese and the fig paste and marcona almonds to go with it are less likely to fall into my basket and I'll stick to my list.
yayfood at 10:43AM on 06/14/09
I pay by credit card, except for farmers markets and small stores (cash). I can keep track of the expenses even if I lose receipts before I enter them to my excel file.
I pay in full every month anyway, so I don't think it's hurting my credit.
Although I too heard on NPR that they keep track on what people buy, and use that to judge if they are good or bad credit card holders! For example if you buy premium bird seed on your credit card you are more likely a "good" cardholder, etc. That's a bit creepy.
hmw0029 at 11:05AM on 06/14/09
I buy most things at the market (or from my dairy CSA who only accept checks). NYC is more of a cash-based economy than most places, so I try always to have cash on hand, but I'll use debit if necessary. NEVER credit, though of course when I first moved here in my early 20s and was paid less than a living wage, my credit cards fed me. $10K in debt paid off over 4 years later, I avoid using my single credit card for anything other than emergencies.
producestories at 11:05AM on 06/14/09
I use my debit card for gas and groceries. I pay bills on line. I HATE going to the credit union for cash and I only write checks if I have no other choice for whatever reason; like the school kids who come to the door selling candy or whatever as a fund raiser. I keep track of everything on an Excel spreadsheet and always know what I've spent and where. I'm either very disciplined or very compulsive.
tapioca at 11:08AM on 06/14/09
I earn points on my credit card, so I tend to use it for purchases more than cash.
Cash or credit card to pay the restuarant bill, but always try to leave the tip in cash.
CSA- check.
Local shops and businesses- cash whenever possible to help them avoid the ridiculously large credit usage fees.
CJ McD at 11:17AM on 06/14/09
groceries I usually use cash or a check (filled out before hand with only the amount to be filled in by the regester) for gas I have a gas card that I use exclusively and pay off at the end of the month. SO uses a debit card when he goes, and usually ends up spending more than he thought he would.
huneybumper at 11:34AM on 06/14/09
@CJ McD: Ditto, except I don't have a CSA. Use a credit card and pay it off every month in full. Only use one credit card for everything; I hardly ever pay bills by check anymore ~ almost everything is paid online and I always tip in cash.
I live in a "small town" in Philly burbs and when I'm shopping at local stores, I try to always pay in cash or with a check.
duncan1205 at 12:02PM on 06/14/09
Everything is on credit. It has probably been at least 5 years, if not more, since I've actually touched cash, including coins, to purchase anything. If I receive a cash reimbursement for a catered party I've paid for at work, I deposit it.
CSA accepts credit cards, as well as the numerous butchers, dairy products, seafood, vegetables, spices, etc. at the market (West Side Market) my husband goes [alone - I hate crowds] to near our place.
I have used the same single book of checks for at least 8 years that they've yellowed at the edges.
Cassaendra at 12:32PM on 06/14/09
Credit card comes out for large purchases, especially if they come out of the blue. Debit for groceries since I don't usually have enough cash on me. Bills online, only write checks for my land payment and dr's bills, the (thankfully) few I have. I will take some cash out if I need to spend less money actually, and limit myself to spending that cash and not using the debit card for anything. Otherwise, I'll usually only take cash out if I'm going somewhere that is cash-only, like the farmer's market in the summer, or a few bars and restaurants (some of my favorites, of course).
joyyy at 12:33PM on 06/14/09
Debit card. I very rarely carry cash.
Amandarama at 12:51PM on 06/14/09
9 out of 9 1/2 times, credit card. Gift cards if we have them for a specific place - and we always tip on the full amount of what the check would have been.
therealchiffonade at 1:23PM on 06/14/09
I almost always use credit for groceries just because I don't get to the ATM that often, but I always try to have cash for restaurants and multiple denominations if I'll be splitting the bill with other people. Splitting the bill is such a pain!
runnereater at 1:35PM on 06/14/09
i usually use debit cards, tho I try to take out cash whenever I can, because if I have cash I tend to spend less. most places on campus are very plastic-friendly tho so its always tempting. i use checks for rent and bills, and currently I dont have a credit card - its too tempting for a college kid on a budget. I already have enough debt from loans, I dont want to rack up any more.
listener at 1:41PM on 06/14/09
We use our debit card for just about everything, but I do make sure I always have some cash on me.
caramel at 2:25PM on 06/14/09
@arm1970 - We have the same thing ... any change goes into our savings account. It really adds up!
caramel at 2:26PM on 06/14/09
grocery store is either cash or debit, restaurants, bars, snacks, etc is ALWAYS cash. paying cash for "fun stuff" like going out to the bar with friends forces me to stick to my budget.
hmmm, now that i think about it, i haven't charged a restaurant meal since i could business expense it. man, i really miss having a work credit card.
redhead at 4:07PM on 06/14/09
I use debit and the BF does cash.
pjracz10 at 4:27PM on 06/14/09
I don't even have a credit card. Have not had one in 10 years.
I use cash most of the time for everything, and debit for everything else. These days there is little point to putting anything in the bank except what covers bills I pay online as my paycheck gets used up pretty quickly. :)
Also, taking only a certain amount of cash to the store means I can't overspend.
My parents used checks and cash when I was little, but when my dad remarried he and the step ended up in enormous credit card debt, and not all for necessary things like food and clothing. They won't be able to pay it off before they retire. Eating out was one thing they always charged when on "business" trips, and they did not eat cheaply. Crazy.
I like cash. I can see how much I am spending to the penny and when it is gone it is gone. Feels more real to me than numbers on a card that represent money that is not even mine. I don't use checks hardly at all either, because cash always seemed easier and so many places don't take them anymore.
sadiepix at 4:47PM on 06/14/09
@yayfood I do the same. I take a certain amount of cash to the store each week. But I also have my debit card with me for backup, just in case.
chardonnay at 4:50PM on 06/14/09
Uh oh, paying for groceries and gas with card raises the red flag? I hardly ever carry more than $20 in cash, if that. Credit is just easier, and doesn't involve carrying around loose change. I also sometimes stop at the grocery store at the end of a run and get myself some recovery food...cash wouldn't fit nearly as nicely in my key pocket as a credit card does, particularly the change. And gas stations make it hard to use cash...who really wants to walk inside? Credit in restaurants most of the time too, unless there's a big group of people, in which case I try to do cash.
cycorider at 5:04PM on 06/14/09
Credit cards, totally. Like CJMcD, Duncan1205, and Cassaendra, I get cash back and/or rewards, depending on which card I'm using that month. Discover is doing 5% cash back for groceries October-December, I think; American Express also pays 5%, but only after you've spent $6500 annually, but I'm too frugal to get even close to that number.
I used to use my debit exclusively, but then one charge got entered incorrectly and held up my checking account for the better part of three weeks. That was horrendous. On average I write one check per month; everything else gets paid electronically. As for cash, it tends to burn a hole in my wallet—I can't get rid of it fast enough. So whenever I have any (e.g., someone reimburses me), I deposit it.
piglet at 6:56PM on 06/14/09
Check or credit card at the grocery store...we always pay off the credit card balance each month. No debit cards here--too many fees and forgetfulness on our part as far as recording amounts. Cash and credit at restaurants.
dhorst at 7:41PM on 06/14/09
Credit cards at the grocery, and the farm stand (they've come around).
Pay the balance every month. Last time I looked in my wallet, there was no cash! LOL. I'd spent the couple of bucks on a lottery ticket. Won enough back to pay for the ticket.
whoot at 8:48PM on 06/14/09
I earn interest on my checking account in excess of what I'd earn in most savings accounts so I pay for almost everything with credit cards that are either 0% or are linked to accounts we pay off every month. Passing up an opportunity to use someone else's money for free while earning interest on my own money would be stupid.
That said, right now I'm not working so I'm using my credit cards as a way to conserve cash.
RegrettableFoodie at 9:06PM on 06/14/09
I use my debit card anywhere I can, including my CSA stuff. When we eat out I try to remember to carry some cash, at least enough to tip cash even if the dinner goes on my debit card. In a big group I usually pay out on my card, because chances are good coming up with the cash would involve pocket lint, nickels and so on.
atomic_violin at 11:56PM on 06/14/09
Credit card. It's easier to track spending, and I earn points.
CanadianFoodieGirl at 12:30PM on 06/15/09
I got into CC trouble when I was a young college student and charged so many necessities that I ended up paying off for YEARS! Now I use debit for almost everything. I earn points on it so I use it whenever possible. I only keep a smallish amount in that account since it's a debit. My bank tracks and categorizes my spending when I use the debit card or checks. I rarely have cash on me although it is more frequent in the summer because of the farmers market. I only use checks to pay my rent and I ask every couple months when they will switch to an online system. (She keeps saying it's coming soon.) Healthcare spending goes on my FlexSpending card. Utility bills and car insurance get paid online with the debit card to earn points once I've put the proper amount in the account.
CooksForOne at 1:48PM on 06/15/09
Generally, I pay for food (whether it be groceries or eating out) with cash. I find that I don't overspend nearly as much when I have actual cash in my hand that I must give away.
KatomRS at 1:57PM on 06/15/09
Always cash for groceries, gas, you name it. Ithink the grocery store should have a cash only line. Maybe that way I would be the only one in it and not have to wait for people to rummage through their purses for charge cards or checkbook then have to wait for them to fill out their check.
My 2 cents, pennies that is.
Maryland Crab
Maryland Crab at 2:34PM on 06/15/09
I use my debit card but tell them to use it as a credit card. For some reason, my bank charges for debit transactions but not for credit using the same card. Weird? Anyway, it comes out of my account as it were debit. I hardly ever carry cash, which has gotten me in trouble a few times already. I should have learned my lesson after 9/11 and the 2003 blackout here in the city but I haven't.
meem21 at 3:02PM on 06/15/09
I use my credit card because I get points and I pay it off every month so I'm never charged interest. With the points I've upgraded my mixer to a KitchenAid Professional 600, and gotten a Viking immersion blender (325 watts of pureeing power!!) with all the attachments, a fancy TeaPosy teapot and flowering teas, and other kitchen toys.
arjava at 3:53PM on 06/15/09
I have a "points" card and pay everything that I can conceivably pay with that one card - and pay it off either completely or mostly a few times each month. With an initial sign-up points bonus and the points I've since accrued in less than two years I have enough to get a round trip airline ticket to pretty much any destination in the world.
When I got the card the interest rate was competitive with every other card I researched. After the fiscal crisis began they bumped the rate up but it turns out that nearly all the banks have done that and it doesn't matter whether you pay on time and have a good credit score or not. It's been done across the board to squeeze more money from us.
phaelon56 at 11:57AM on 06/16/09
Always always always credit card. It's good and bad - I can see clearly how much I spend on groceries that month, but on the other hand, it's difficult to budget while I'm actually spending - I don't usually really look at the total until my credit card bill comes...
embolini9 at 8:36AM on 06/17/09