For decades, the world has slowly been moving towards a cashless society. Most of us carry one or more credit cards with us at any time. We are always ready to pull out one of those cards and make the purchases that we want to make. It is easy and reliable for sure, but some ponder if there are still reasons to carry cash at all. The answer may still be yes.
Splitting Up A Check
It is frustrating for restaurants to split up your check when eating out by running several credit cards through their system. They will do it, but it costs them money for every swipe that they do. Thus, you might find extra fees associated with running more than one card at a meal. If you just have cash on you it makes the process of splitting your check a whole lot easier.
Non-Card Accepting Establishments
Most places do accept credit cards these days, but there are some who are still holding out. The hold outs tend to be smaller community stores and things of this nature. They can sometimes have some of the most interesting and noteworthy products around. If you refuse to carry cash you will not be able to make a purchase at a neat place like this.
Emergency Situations
There are some emergencies in which a credit card will not help you. If you do not have some type of roadside assistance program in your name, you can only hope that someone will come along and help you out. Most tow trucks and other roadside vehicles will only accept cash as a form of payment. They do not want to have to deal with complicated credit cards while they are out on the road. If you find yourself in a situation like this without cash, well then you may be waiting there for a while.
Tipping
There is a lot of debate about if you should bother tipping or not in certain establishments or under certain scenarios. The bottom line is that tipping makes you a better person. You feel better about yourself and you will have done someone else a big favor, so why not carry the cash that you need to tip someone should the need arise. It is not as though a few extra dollars every now and then is going to hurt you.
In Case Something Happens To Your Card
People always talk about cash getting stolen has if it is not possible for someone to steal your credit card. If they do, then they have access to your entire bank account until you are able to get it shut down.
Another unfortunate thing that can sometimes happen is that your card may be suspended. This happens when the bank believes that they have detected unusual activity. It could be real identity theft or it may just be that you are traveling somewhere unusual and using your card. Whatever the case may be, a suspended card can leave you without many options if you do not have some cash to back you up on this. The cash comes in handy.
Toll Booths/Vending Machines/Etc.
In some cases you just need to have cash to operate the things you run into in your daily life. If you would like to get through a toll booth or use a vending machine you are probably going to need to have some cash at hand. Some are starting to accept credit cards now, but that is not the case for a lot of them still. Just having a few extra dollars with you can help you get what you want or need.
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