Proof Cash is dying
Waffle House now accepts credit cards (Visa and MC). How screwed up is that? I found this out last weekend, but wrote it up as being a rougue Waffle House like the one I don't go to b/c they use a computer instead of the yellow pad (which is complete crap).
However, I saw an web ad today (ajc.com if you want to try to see it) saying that WH now takes cards. This is very distressing. However, it's further proof that cash is a dying dinosaur. In my opinion this is a bad thing.
Cash is very tangible, and you can't spend what you don't have. This is why it's so recommended for people who find themselves in credit card debt. Cards are just too easy to use, and discipline is required.
Besides that, as Tinfoil Hat will tell you, having all your transactions done electronically just gives the government more information when they start mining it. They don't need to know how often I go to Waffle House vs. IHOP.
There's no disputing that cards are very handy to have, and I use mine more than I should. I think I'm going to set a rule, that all purchases under $20 be handled with cash.
posted by Burl @ 11:02 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
I kind of agree with you. As long as the card companies are giving me 1-5% back on stuff I'm buying I'm using the card. It's still too much of a pain to get cash... but only because we use a credit union that doesn't have ATMs on every corner.
Anyone who cannot control their spending with a card should not use a card at all.
I cannot believe how much the government does to help credit card companies. The bankruptcy law thing is one example... Yeah, I believe people are responsible for the money they spend, but the card companies should not be extending as much credit as they are.
The free credit report thing is an improvement, but really they should make it available to you at any time (not just once per year) and the score should be with it.
I've heard numerous stories about how card companies screw over merchants -- especially small businesses.
One place where cash is still irreplaceable: Vegas, baby.
Yes, everyone should use cash and keep a large store in the safest place possible. Buried thirty feet underground surrounded by 6-foot re-enforced concrete wrapped in a carbon fiber barrier, protected by proximity mines, fully-automatic 50 caliber robotic sentry guns, sharks with laser beams attached to their heads, and access controlled by full 3-d volumetric circulatory system scans, iris recognition, biometrics, and a 24-character, randomly generated, 1024-bit AES encrypted password.
But that's just me. You might find 512-bit encryption suitable for your needs.
And curses on the credit card companies for tempting me with their "points" systems. If I weren't so cheap I wanted to save money on plane tickets, you wouldn't know where I go and what I do. Of course, it's all just a clever ruse. That's not really my Kroger Plus card I've been using, ha-ha!
Interestingly enough, my bank keeps raising the limit on my credit card despite never carrying a balance and never more than 5% of the total limit at any given time.
Vegas, baby, yeah!
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