Cashless Society

The headlines this morning on the Internet: There is some kind of law taking effect in New York in March 2026 that you can not pay for transactions that cost more than 20.00 with CASH. Other states may follow. I'm thinking what - cash is no longer acceptable

What they are attempting is burying Cash to press Trackable Transactions.  So as we are all aware, next step is BARTER.  Trade goods and services for goods or Services, NOTHING trackable, unless is Titled.

Another step in making you use a card (or at least wanting to use one because of the benefits of being exact) is taking the penny away. I was in one grocery store the other day and they either rounding up or rounding down now because they don't even get pennies. I think it's a bunch of bull when they automatically do the rounding before they tell you how much you owe and you were going to pay them in cash with exact change to save rounding up

I put 5- $20. bills in my wallet and it last 6 months. Only time i use cash is when i pay $2. to get into the  Jr High Basketball Games... or a restaurant that cant put TIPS on the bill.  Got one check in my wallet also.. Might use one every 4 months.. I use the credit card for EVERYTHING.. Statement every month lists EVERYTHING i have bought on one sheet for review. I find it handy for a summary of the monthly spending.

This may not be relevant  in today's world: Back in the early 80s I pulled up to the Baltimore Harbor toll both about 5AM to pay my 4 axle toll ($2) and as it was the start of my day I handed the lady a $50 bill. She screamed at me it she couldn't accept large bills. I replied as it was cash, she had no choice. That was all the money I had and that got me through my day. After hearing a bout 5 minutes of wailing. I pulled the parking brake and shut the truck down. Then the screaming really started and before long after traffic started backing up a toll cop waddled over from his office to see what the problem was. The toll taker was screaming I couldn't pay the toll. After the cop calmed her down enough for me to get a word in, I calmly explained; I start my day with a $50 bill and that covers everything for the day and showed him I had no other bills. and asked him to read what it says right there on the bill. He grabbed the bill, read " this note is legal tender for all debts public and private". That stopped him like he didn't know what to do and a second later he toll the toll taker give him change and his receipt. I sad thank you and was on my way. The next morning even though I had smaller bills, I gave a $50 at the toll both and was promptly given a receipt and change.  

I used to use the credit card for most everything, it is quick, convenient and I can do it online. A couple of the things I was paying online now have a service charge close to $5. I now pay those in cash, and and wait until the last day to pay them. Doesn't seem like a lot, but they could take my money for the last ten years without a service charge, why do they need one now?

Ted

Besides how would we haggle when going to make marketplace and swap meet purchases if we couldn't pull out a wad of cash and make an offer. It's just not the same when you pull out your debit or credit card or cell phone.

as Tyler said, many cards will give you a 1% - 3% CASH BACK on certain purchases.... I figure that pays for any surcharge at the Mom and Pop restaurant..... i get about $400. back each year from the VISA  "cash back" program..

Edited by steve(ill) - 57 minutes ago at 4:42pm