Do you /Can you live withouta debit card

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Do you /Can you live withouta debit card
14
Thu, 08-04-2005 - 9:42am

I cut up my debit card about 6 months ago and I loved it. The only roblem was it seemed like I was at the bank alot. I am still learning to make sure I have enough money for everything without running out all the time.

But we moved to a new town and the closest bank is 20 minutes away. I got new ones when we moved becuase I was still setting up the different accounts, learning where everything was.

Now I want to cut them up again but i am scared. I dont have banks open on the weekends here(very limited on Saturday) plus DH is a dolt when it comes to saving money. I think he is the problem so I am hoping if I dont have the card then it will cut down alot.

I really like working with Cash too. so I guess I just want to know if anyone else has done it succesfully

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Avatar for cl_phocid
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 08-04-2005 - 9:46am
Can't do it here.

All my best,
Danni

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Thu, 08-04-2005 - 10:24am
I'm not good with keeping track of cash. I try to use my debit card for almost everything because the bank keeps track for me, and I check every day or so to see what my transactions are and it helps me stay on budget. Plus for things like gas, it's a lot easier to pay at the pump, if I had to go in I'd have to unstrap dd each and every time or avoid needing gas when she was with me.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-18-2004
Thu, 08-04-2005 - 10:27am

I can't do it either. Like Danni's credit union, my bank is out of state. It does give me 10 free ATM withdrawls a month and gives me a refund on the first $15 of ATM fees charged by other banks.

Good luck on your quest.

Kellie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 08-04-2005 - 11:07am
That was one of my worries the first time I did it. Having to drag them in. OS I started getting a gas card at the station when they went with me. Now I dont want to start that again

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 08-04-2005 - 11:54am

Ya'll must use USAA! Me too. :)

Anyway, I think the cash thing can be done if you have a local branch, even twenty minutes away. What I would do is work out how much I spend on average on each category of expense each month. This can be done by going through the past 12 months's records and averaging the monthly amount for each category. I do this even though I use a debit card.

Then, each month, I set aside within Microsoft Money an amount equal to that average for each expense. Some things, like car repairs etc., I put in a savings account until I need it. But if I were using cash, some amounts would come out in cash--grocery money, for instance, and gas money. Then I would put each amount in a separate envelope, labeled with its purpose.

Any left over in one month, would stay in the envelope for the next time I had an expensive month in that category.

That way, you only go to the bank once a month for cash. I think my way, using the categories in Microsoft Money, is easier, but I can see how a debit card might be too much of a temptation for some people. Personally, cash is a bigger temptation for me. I just go right through it. But if I know I have to go in and justify it in Microsoft Money later, I am more hesitant to do it.

Good luck in whatever you decide. It seems like money management is an ever evolving thing.

Blessings,

Heather

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-20-2004
Thu, 08-04-2005 - 12:16pm
Nope, I couldn't do it. Just the inconvenience of having to go inside the gas station on a day when it is 10 below would prevent me from ever getting rid of my debit card. Plus, while I do try to pay in cash, i don't like having to go into the bank to get money..the lines, etc would drive me crazy. Plus I'm not going to drive 15 minutes out of my way to go to the branch my dh doen't work at, nor do I want to be constantly asked how I am feeling, since I still look like crap from the stuff I went through last month. So no, I will never again be without a debit card!!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-19-2003
Thu, 08-04-2005 - 1:07pm

I use my debit card for everything. For us cash is easy come/easy go and we cannot keep track of it.

But everyone is different, you have to use the one you can keep the best track of your purchases with.

Shannon

Shannon


Pregnancy%20ticker
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-19-2003
Thu, 08-04-2005 - 1:10pm

Where do you live that you are worried about 10 below? Its the 105° days that are getting too me!!

Shannon

Shannon


Pregnancy%20ticker
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-20-2004
Thu, 08-04-2005 - 1:30pm
Shannon,
I live in Wisconsin..we still had snow in May!! Oh yeah, we've had our 90+ days here, too, but winter seems to go on forever here. Heather
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-19-2003
Thu, 08-04-2005 - 1:38pm

I am in Maryland, so we have all 4 seasons in moderation. I hate snow so I know I do not want to live in Wisconsin. I would like for the temp to stay 70°-80° year round, with no humidity. Am I asking for a lot?

Shannon

Shannon


Pregnancy%20ticker

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