How do you prefer to pay for things?

[ktmarvels]

I deliver pizzas for my second job...gas station is right next to the pizza shop, so I ain't going out of my way. Yep, I have been to NJ several times for my first job...the gas is cheaper, but I can't stand having someone else pump my gas. There's one other state that is like NJ...is it CT? Or maybe its Oregon...

It's Oregon. I love the fact that someone else would pump my gas. Although I grew up there, so it's just what I'm used to. In fact I didn't learn how to do it myself until I was late into high school. I haven't lived there for nearly 4 years now, but pumping my own gas is something novel. I'm still worried that I'll forget to close the tank.

As to not entirely hijack the thread...We put as many transactions as we can on the credit card. However a portion of our regular bills (mortgage, power, retirement) still have to come out of checking.

[zakity]

We use credit card for everything we can. I would say probably 95% of all transactions. But, I also use an electronic envelope system that is tied into the credit card column on the bills spreadsheet. I try to not go over the budgeted amount.

I love having my gas pumped for me. I grew up in Illinois and then moved out to Oregon. It is lovely to just sit there and someone does something for me. Oh geesh, does that sound like a Mom or what?

[markusk]

Yes. You definitely shouldn't use a credit card that has an outstanding balance.

As for your charges, gas for $5? That's only about 2 gallons around here. Either you drive very little or you get gas pretty frequently. I wouldn't bother going to a gas station unless I was going to fill the tank. Of course, here in NJ, we aren't allowed to pump our own gas so getting gas isn't a pleasant experience having to sit and wait for someone to do what I could do myself in a fraction of the time.

Your post reminded me of someone I knew in college who did not know how to pump gas because she lived in NJ and never had to do it herself. She ended up asking a total stranger to show her how to do it the first time she left the state (as a college student)!

Anyway, we use credit cards 100% of the time. Never debit. Rarely cash.

[disneysteve]

Your post reminded me of someone I knew in college who did not know how to pump gas because she lived in NJ and never had to do it herself. She ended up asking a total stranger to show her how to do it the first time she left the state (as a college student)!

My daughter is 14 and she's known how to pump gas for years. I made sure of that. When we travel and stop for gas, I'd make her get out with me and learn how to do it and then do it herself once she knew how.

[ScrimpAndSave]

So funny - because I live on the Pa/Nj border and all of my friends drive over to Nj to have their gas pumped for them because it is "too cold" to go outside and pump their own gas.

Oh, and I pay for things with cash.

[Mike75]

Cash, Check, Debit, Credit?

I ask because one of my elderly clients (I am a caregiver) refuses to use debt they think it's dangerous and only pay by check or credit card.

So what about you?

Cash... It makes me spend less as I can see the money going away. But wife loves the credit car

[swanson719]

We use the debit card for almost everything except dining out, and entertainment. Those, we use cash from an envelope system because that's the only way we seem to be able to stay on budget. We've only been tracking our finances for about 2 and half years, so it's still taking some getting used to and fine tuning.

[segmond]

cash only.