Community Forums

Old Car Nut · 03-01-2015, 07:44 AM

Whenever we travel, by road or by air, we carry very little cash.

I like to transfer funds to our PayPal account which has debit cards. We get 1.5% cash back on every transaction, not at the end of the month or year but 5 min after the transaction it's back in our account. No games, no restrictions, no points. Our bank ATM card does not do that.

If we need more cash there is almost always an ATM nearby. It's a Mastercard so it's works just about everywhere including Costco since it's a debit not credit card.

As for regular credit cards, we save those for big emergencies we cant or dont want to cover with cash/ATM card.

One more thing. If you are going to travel a lot get yourself LifeLock or some other like service to protect yourself from fraud and ID theft. Can't tell you how many times it has kept our money safe. Thieves work the travel spots hard.

CampDaven · 03-01-2015, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YC1

Two credit cards so when one puts a hold on yours you have a backup, or one gets hacked. Has happened several times. I call the CC company before traveling and let them know I will be making large diesel purchases. Works most of the time but not always.

My FCU was informed we were going fulltime. They congratulated us and follow our travel and know our purchase pattern. No issues in 3 years.
ATM? Naw. Cash at checkout. No fee!
Happy trails, y'all

GaryKD · 03-01-2015, 07:53 AM

Credit cards all the way. I've had the same cash (the bills) in my wallet for years. I don't even carry change. Haven't needed cash (bills or coins) for at least a decade.

Choose the CCs that provide the reward(s) that are of value to you. Also, if you shop on the Internet, consider using ebates.com This site will provide additional cash rebates on all purchases made through their site. It's not much, but every little bit helps.

LakeKerrGuy · 03-01-2015, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryKD

Credit cards all the way. I've had the same cash (the bills) in my wallet for years. I don't even carry change. Haven't needed cash (bills or coins) for at least a decade.

How do you handle the roadside fruit / vegetable / firewood markets? I'm certain they do not accept credit cards - some are honor pay. Even when using a credit card for meals, I tip in cash.

Curious how other casino hoppers / dockers handle cash. During the course of a trip, several thousand may be needed. As with others, I do not like to carry over $500 or so in cash. How do you get more when needed when the is no local bank where you have an account?

CampDaven · 03-01-2015, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LakeKerrGuy

How do you handle the roadside fruit / vegetable / firewood markets? I'm certain they do not accept credit cards - some are honor pay. Even when using a credit card for meals, I tip in cash.

Curious how other casino hoppers / dockers handle cash. During the course of a trip, several thousand may be needed. As with others, I do not like to carry over $500 or so in cash. How do you get more when needed when the is no local bank where you have an account?

Cash back at the register avoids ATMs and banks. Haven't been in a bank nor used an ATM in over 15 years!
Many stands are tech savy; credit/debit no problem.
We get cash when we need it at Walmart, Target, and grocery. Easy-peasy folks!
Besides, it REALLY hard to spend 20 bucks at a stand; beats the pants off grocery store pricing and it's about once a week depending on your fridge size.

larryjeans · 03-01-2015, 08:45 AM

Wow, we can't say enough about these forums, everyone is so nice and such quick responses. It's nice to know we weren't far off in our thinking. Thank you so much, great information and ideas.

Am interested to hear responses to LaKerrGuy questions.

Larryjeans

GaryKD · 03-01-2015, 09:08 AM

Hi LakeKerrGuy,
I do not stop at roadside stands. The bottom line is I patronize merchants that take CC as the form of payment. For me, I don't feel I've missed anything. As a backup the wife does carry some cash. She even has a few coins!

My statements are from around 1990 forward. Prior to that some cash was involved as not all merchants had CC capability. I've been across the country more times than I can remember. Been all over the world. Outside the USA cash is need a bit more (taxi, porters, etc.) but not much.

Old Car Nut · 03-01-2015, 09:15 AM

Anyone with a smartphone can take credit/debit cards these days. Many roadside stands do now.

jenandjon · 03-01-2015, 09:24 AM

Wife and I divide our cash between us. I keep some in my wallet and some in my pocket. That was i never show the whole wad. Larger purchases like fuel are paid with a debit card. My wife and I have our own. Just have to remember to call the bank and have the limits raised. Its quite embarrassing to buy theme park tickets then try pay for fuel. Sorry sir your card has been declined. oops.

dvmweb · 03-01-2015, 09:28 AM

CC and a bit of cash. Safer I think.

2013 FleetWood Expedition 38B

Tha_Rooster · 03-01-2015, 09:34 AM

Camp fees are always paid in full before we arrive so we don't worry about that. It doesn't matter if we are camping or Hawaii its 100 bucks a day for the odds and ends spending and the rest debit card.

baraff · 03-01-2015, 09:35 AM

Penfed for gas, and I carry $1k for emergencies, such as CC getting hacked or stolen. (It's happened before) The money goes in the safe and does not get touched.

rollingslow · 03-01-2015, 09:40 AM

Use cards most of the time but allways have cash for tips.. fruitstands and firewood. Nowdays its easy to get cash back at any walmart or grocery store with no fees