Posted on 06/18/2007 9:46:06 AM PDT by kiriath_jearim
Every morning on his way to the Concord, Calif., high school where he teaches physical education and health, John Nunan buys his breakfast. After he swipes his card through the reader, his bank debits the purchase from his account. He often repeats the process for lunch and dinner.
The amounts are small. For example, his usual breakfast of coffee and a Western omelet bagel from a coffee shop comes to $5.35. He said he debits his bank account “pretty much for every meal that I eat out.”
Mr. Nunan, 25, is part of a group that some major credit card companies and banks are calling Gen P, or Generation Plastic. It refers to spenders 18 to 25 years old who are increasingly using debit or credit cards, collectively known as payment cards, for nearly every on-the-go purchase.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
It would be an inconvenience, but I’d still survive - I still HAVE cash and paper checks, just prefer to use the debit.
Irrational? Who said anything about irrational?
Take $20 or $40 in cash back from the debit and save it for the purchase of firearms and ammunition with cash. You go to the back and withdraw $700 in cash or write a check to Jimmy’s Gun Shop then they have you anyway.
I don't use ATMs, I don't use debit cards (I want to be forced to write down every expenditure from my checking account myself), I draw money out from my bank, not at the ATM in Joe's Bait Shop and Ammunition Emporium.
I don't even HAVE an ATM or a debit card.
As for leaving a paper trail, I would rather leave no trail at all.
I see no reason to let ANYONE know ANYTHING about me other than what I absolutely HAVE to, or those I desire to know.
A credit card company, a supermarket, the government, they are all entities that I don't have a desire to let them know any more about me than they absolutely HAVE to.
You're not paranoid if they ARE out to get you, and eventually, in one way or another, they will be.
you’re right....there is a minor percentage of merchants, though not substantial around here in NY. Most major internet sales takes it also.
There is some truth to that - 30 years ago it was harder to spend money - because you had to go to the bank during their ridiculous 9-4 hours to get money out to spend it.
With a debit card and ATM machines it’s 24/7.
That said, if not for those lovely inventions, I’d still be living at home with my mother because I’m never off work when the banks are open!
But, I’d also be damn near a millionaire. ;-)
Do you live in a bunker?
It probably is the merchant fees, convenience stores live on pretty small margins and depending on the contract they have they could be paying as much a $4 a CC transaction. With small purchases that’s just losing money.
I was at a sandwich shop near the beach one time that had a $20 minimum for credit cards. I didn’t know it when I placed my order. I got sandwiches for me, my GF, and my kid, and had $18 worth of stuff. Guy said it HAD to be $20 minimum, and I said I didn’t want anything else. He said if I wanted the sandwiches, I had to buy more stuff. I said no thanks, and walked out. He was angry, as there was no way in hell anyone else was going to get what i ordered for a sandwich. Oh well.
No, but I do have the requisite amount of guns, ammunition, knives, hatchets, axes, camping gear, and knowhow to live in the deep piney woods, on my own, and be able to take care of my family, for an extended amount of time.
That’s a good thing...but relax a bit. You do sound a bit paranoid.
Wouldn't mind living in a bunker though.
The AC and heating costs would be miniscule.
Now there’s something I can agree with!
Paranoid? No.
Cautious as all get out about my movements, buying habits, etc being known by just anyone and identity theft? You betcha.
I never use debit cards. I have no idea how they work and really have no interest in doing so. I pay with cash or write a check. According to the message of those commercials, I’m insensitive to the time constraints of those behind me, and I really don’t care. ;)
It’s improtant to keep some dollars in your pocket to tip the Sonic servers. Otherwise, I see no reason for cash.
IMHO, I think that a Debit Card sounds like a good way to get in financial trouble, quickly (those $1.25 cokes at the service station and $3 Starbucks coffees add up quick...). And I can't imagine putting a Burger and Fries (total cost $2+change) on my credit card and paying interest on it.
But then again, I'm pretty old-fashioned when it comes to money. Heck, I still write checks to pay my bills and pay off my Credit Card balance religiously every month. I'm sure that my bank hates me for it..... :-)
So you're that jerk. And next time figure out if your lottery tickets are winners before you get in line, will ya?
I hate those commercials. You know, if the donut shop (or whatever) doesn't want my $$$, then I'll go nextdoor to the one that *does*. :-) LOL!
Only idiots stand in line to purchase lottery tickets.
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