Remember when you used to pay for everything in cash? Well, times have changed. Cash isn’t even accepted at some places anymore! But maybe when you’re RVing through a small town, some places still prefer cash.
It’s no secret that digital payments have taken over. Credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payment apps like Apple Pay and Google Pay make transactions quicker and more convenient. Many people appreciate the ease of tapping a card or phone instead of carrying a bulky wallet full of bills.
But for all the convenience of going cashless, there are still situations where paper money comes in handy—especially when traveling.
RVing takes you to places where technology isn’t always reliable. Maybe you’ve stopped at a roadside fruit stand, a family-run campground, or an old-fashioned diner where cash is still king. Even in more developed areas, unexpected situations arise. Ever pulled up to a gas station only to find their card reader is down? Or wanted to tip a hardworking server who prefers cash? Sometimes, having a few bills in your pocket is just the smart thing to do.
There’s also the budgeting factor. Some RVers prefer cash for certain purchases because it helps control spending. Handing over physical money makes you more aware of what you’re spending compared to swiping a card.
Others simply like the privacy that cash provides—no digital trail, no tracking, just a straightforward exchange.
So tell us: When shopping for day-to-day items, how often do you pay with cash? As always, thank you for voting!
You will enjoy these other popular polls:
• For couples: How many times a day do you kiss your partner?
• Do you lock your RV when you take a 10-minute walk around your campground?
• How would you describe the quality of workmanship on your RV?
• Should drivers with RVs 40 feet or longer need a special driver’s license?
• How far away do you store your RV when not using it?
##RVDT2589
Cash doesn’t earn me rewards…
You are definitely drinking the Credit Card Kool Aid!
They got ya where they want ya!
I agree Gigi. I do a lot of driving and with rewards from the fuel I burn I earn well over $1,000.00 a year in “free” groceries.
Be sure to pay them off every month.
We have different credit cards for different purposes. None of them charge us an annual fee. All of them pay us cash back ranging from 3% to 5%, depending on the situation. We have never encountered a situation where the fee for using a card was higher than the cash back that the card pays us. Our credit cards pay us thousands of dollars per year, and we never pay them anything. So it’s more like “we got ’em where we want ’em.”
No bull.
I almost always use a credit card, but never have a balance. In the past – pre-covid, I usually paid cash for small items. They (gov’t) kind of forced us into using a credit card due to the bogus pandemic. Yes it was real, just not like they said. Now I’m starting to go back to cash for certain items who charge a percentage for credit cards. My card does pay rewards so it’s worth it.
Approx 1,000,000 dead and it was a hoax 🤦🏻♂️
She never said hoax. Nice try.
Compare that number with the yearly average number of deaths from the flu. Those numbers dropped dramatically during the COVID years. Hmmm.
I carry one $2.00 bill in my wallet. If they won’t take a Credit or Debit card, I go elsewhere.
Cash is very difficult to hack.
Anyone who is worried about being tracked, needs to get rid of their cell phone.
…and whatever device they are using to read this.
And computer, car, TV, WiFi…
Especially in today’s demented world.
Often use cash when there is an extra charge for credit cards; many places give you no choice. Always pay off the credit card bill monthly so no additional extra charges. Many of our local businesses (like plumbers, HVAC service, lawn services) will take a check (or cash) without applying an extra credit/debit card fee.
A lot depends on the amount we are spending. Both my wife and I usually carry $20-$40 in cash. Above that we use the card.
I generally pay with card, unless there is an upcharge for the card, then cash. When tipping I will always use cash.
I only use cash for “cash discount” purchases of fuel. Everything else goes on the card to collect points. Bank automatically pays the balance in full every month, so I use their money free for the month.
Discipline required!
Nowadays I only use cash for weed.
I always have cash on hand but only use it when necessary or road side stands and tips.
I use a credit card for convenience and the hassle of getting cash when away from home. If my card is handed to a merchant and it goes out of my sight, I use my throw down credit card. All is paid off monthly. I’m an old geezer and have never had a credit card debt. I do collect points, however we must remember there is no free ride. We pay for those rebates in the selling price of things we buy.
Cash what’s that? I do have some stashed away for that rainy day or if in the middle of no where land and my wooden nickles run out. 99% of my transactions are cards. Just makes life easier granted I have several accounts set for different reasons, like RV, home expenses, auto repair and some others that I hope prevent theft off.
We keep cash for small purchases. If the purchase is large, and there is a credit card surcharge, I might use a debit card or paper check. I find it far easier to manage our money using a card and online access. Always paid in full (or very nearly so) via ACH from our checking account before the statement cut-off date.
If the total is more than $40, then I pay with a credit card. If it’s less than $40, then I pay cash.
Credit cards are an evil tool created by greedy bankers that got millions in hot water over too much debt. Now attack me like always.
Agree, except it is the user who is responsible for their debt. However, banks make it too easy to get approved.
Like blaming grocery stores for making people eat too much and becoming overweight. Disciplined spending…meaning develop a budget and stick to it. Set aside $X per month for emergencies.
Credit cards companies and banks are not to blame. It’s the irresponsible card holder. It’s not the banks fault that these people don’t know how to control their spending.
Not much different than financing an RV and then defaulting on the payments.
These people got themselves in hot water. The banks DID NOT force them to use the card.
BTW, we have two credit cards and they are both paid off monthly.
I don’t remember a gun held to my head to apply for a credit card.
I use cards for most things. Pay online for monthly bills and use paperless statements. Storing a statement digitally doesn’t take up any space and nothing to shred. Only use cash when the proceeds of the side hustle builds up or that gets deposited in the bank.
I often decide by the type of business. When shopping at small businesses I usually use cash, so the business does not lose the credit card fee. On large purchases I almost always use credit cards.
I don’t carry very much cash, so it depends on what the item/s cost as to whether I pay with cash or debit card.
We both carry cash. Me? I use it for tips and my barber. Credit card for everythijg else which is paid-in-full each month. We do get a small rebate but that’s just a nice gift. CC are EZ and convenient. We’d use them even if rebate went away tomorrow. We never use our debit cards (except at Costco and we don’t shop there often).
Just yesterday I saved $200 by writing a check rather than paying by credit card. Forced to go to a credit card when the grocery store stopped accepting checks. Unfortunately, $100 in cash, in the wallet doesn’t get me very far anymore.
I almost always use cash or write a check. I have only one credit card, which I use when ordering things online. If I used a credit card all the time, I would spend way more than I need to. I like knowing exactly how much money I have at the end of each day, not at the end of the month when the credit card bill comes.
Hi, Diane. That’s exactly what I do: use cash or write a check, with one credit card for (rare) online use.👍 Have a good night. 😀 –Another Diane M (well, McG) at RVtravel.com
Thank you for the question, RV Travel! Before marriage I almost never had cash or carried any. I typically paid with a check or, on rare occasions, cash. DW demands that I always have a minimal amount of cash to pay for emergency services. Thus, I pay all routine expenses with a credit card in order to save the cash I am carrying against an emergency need. Have a great day and safe travels,!
Another reason for using credit cards is that if the service or product turns out to be not as advertised, you can protest the charge and get the merchant’s attention.
Rarely ever have cash. Not since opening my first checking account in the mid ’60s–and my brothers teased me back then that I thought money was blue (the color of my checks!) And using cards when traveling, you get the exchange rate, particularly in Canada where they love to take USD $1 for $1.