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Will Stewart
Joined: 09/18/1999
Posts: 93,035
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The evolution of carrying/not carrying cash.

I've been the sole breadwinner in the house since we started having kids in 1999. There was an adjustment period financially, but one of the things that helped was when my wife and I decided on a strategy of me giving her a set amount of cash each week for groceries, incidentals, etc. Every Sunday, I'd give her the cash, and she would have that amount for that week, until she ran out. If she didn't run out, she socked the extra away as mad money, for personal stuff, etc. So for many years, my wife has been carrying around $50 bills, often several hundred dollars worth. About two weeks ago, she was shopping in Target, and a woman approached her and asked, "Can you help me with something?" Turns out it was a money grab. The women was just begging my wife to give her some cash, so she could "feed the baby," yadda-yadda-yadda. We decided that having her carry cash is a really bad idea in this day and age. People might see her pulling cash out at the register, follow her out into the parking lot, etc. We went and opened up a separate checking account for her and got her a debit card. I've set up recurring transfers over to her account, so it accomplishes the same thing -- a regular transfer of money to her -- without all the cash involved. I honestly don't know why we took so long to do it this way. I think it's because my wife preferred cash, right up to the point that a random stranger approached her in the middle of the store, begging, and we got to thinking about things and realized how unsafe we have been with our way of doing things. We also ordered her some pepper spray. She doesn't want to carry a handgun, but at least the pepper spray provides some sort of protection. I mean, you'd expect this to happen in Wal-mart (which she avoids like the plague but occasionally visits). But it happened in Target.
Posted: 04/03/2023 at 11:38 AM ET

Thread Replies (88)

Full Thread →
The evolution of carrying/not carrying cash. ◄
Will StewartAdmin • 04/03/23 11:38 AM ET
Builds her credit score, too….
Rinoki21 • 04/03/23 06:49 PM ET
…ass, grass or cash
chumley • 04/03/23 05:59 PM ET
The grabbers are legion in CLT parking lots. Any big box'll do 'em.
PhotoHokieNC • 04/03/23 03:41 PM ET
Will, a small pepper spray container is a good idea. What might she have in
reconhokie • 04/03/23 03:14 PM ET
A few thoughts here...
Tafkam Hokie • 04/03/23 04:26 PM ET
GREAT POINTS!! Only thing I’d disagree with is potentially unlawful
reconhokie • 04/03/23 05:55 PM ET
While Mag Lights are popular, they're actually pretty bad as
Tafkam Hokie • 04/04/23 03:36 PM ET
I still carry a little cash for minor transactions
EDGEMAN • 04/03/23 02:29 PM ET
Like others have said, I use my cash-back credit cards for all purchases.
MP4VT2004 • 04/03/23 02:37 PM ET
If you are splitting hairs and want to do things more gooderly
Tafkam Hokie • 04/03/23 04:36 PM ET
It sounds like you're doing things the correct way financially.
EDGEMAN • 04/03/23 02:39 PM ET
Thanks...I can't say we are super frugal overall...
MP4VT2004 • 04/03/23 02:42 PM ET
The best move people can make is limiting their debt.
EDGEMAN • 04/03/23 02:56 PM ET
That Christiansburg Target will get after ya!**
soldcokesatLane • 04/03/23 02:23 PM ET
Was approached in Richmond this winter... "needed $ to buy food"
One4VT • 04/03/23 02:18 PM ET
I’m the sole breadwinner in my family. My wife could be robbing me blind
RoswellGAHokie • 04/03/23 02:00 PM ET
I hate cash, but tipping/gambling are the two activities that force me to
Fatman • 04/03/23 02:24 PM ET
How much do you tip your hookers and blow suppliers?**
EDGEMAN • 04/03/23 02:40 PM ET
She never had problems with non-cash retail? I am hearing more and more
Guy LeDouche • 04/03/23 01:40 PM ET
Richmond Flying Squirrels are going cashless this season.**
MP4VT2004 • 04/03/23 02:30 PM ET
Would she go hungry for a few days if she ran out of money & didn't have
RhinoVT • 04/03/23 01:38 PM ET
What Will doesn't know is that...
MP4VT2004 • 04/03/23 02:31 PM ET
Humble brag, I'm absolutely certain I haven't had any coin cash in my
UEMcGill • 04/03/23 01:07 PM ET
My wife would shoot you on site, but you are my hero.
HokieJay • 04/03/23 01:04 PM ET
I bet Will doesn't use the term "allowance". At least not to her. :-)**
HokieKip • 04/03/23 01:31 PM ET
I agree with your thinking. A lot of predators these days. Good to not make
HokieHigh • 04/03/23 12:59 PM ET
What's this world coming to..... Do you allow her to drive too? 🤣**
Hokebury • 04/03/23 12:47 PM ET
I expect to get hit on for money everyday in hampton roads. I also had my
Hoakie82 • 04/03/23 12:45 PM ET
Did they say how it was compromised? Did they think someone brushed up agai
reconhokie • 04/03/23 03:25 PM ET
Oh, and I usually have between $100-$200 cash on me most of the time **
Brown Water • 04/03/23 12:25 PM ET
me too, closer to 500 though
VaTechie • 04/03/23 11:50 PM ET
all in $1 bills in case you need to hit Mons Venus?**
reestuart • 04/03/23 03:17 PM ET
here's BW**
HokieDan95 • 04/03/23 12:30 PM ET
Anyone got change for $100!!!
OXVT • 04/03/23 12:41 PM ET
^ ^ ^ Ready to make it rain everywhere he goes ^ ^ ^ **
great2bahokie • 04/03/23 12:28 PM ET
I was walking back to my hotel in Cleveland and a guy hit me up for
Spudnut • 04/03/23 12:24 PM ET
In my experience the clientele at Walmart is the same as at Target, Costco,
Brown Water • 04/03/23 12:21 PM ET
Debit cards can be dicey. Basically quit using mine 4 years ago….
VT BronzeBacker • 04/03/23 12:17 PM ET
I have found the credit card to work easier for the "fixed budget"
UEMcGill • 04/03/23 01:13 PM ET
Amen, & if it's stolen or hacked, it's the bank's money & not yours!
Vtskier1 • 04/03/23 05:03 PM ET
When I was at Tech my roommate and I got on the WV turnpike headed north.
vatechcowpatty • 04/03/23 12:16 PM ET
Story from my past. Was interviewing at Penn for a combined degree program.
DonHo-kieHi • 04/03/23 03:21 PM ET
turnpike still only takes cash or E-ZPass. Seems inefficient IMO.**
reestuart • 04/03/23 01:33 PM ET
I worked in downtown Richmond for 20 years. Offered to buy them lunch.
TomTurkey • 04/03/23 12:15 PM ET
I had to give this guy a dollar for the creativity alone...
KiloZulu • 04/03/23 02:02 PM ET
Hey- at least he say Thank!**
reconhokie • 04/03/23 03:27 PM ET
"Spread Some Cheese On This Broke Ass Cracker" was held up in downtown
Tuckahokie • 04/03/23 02:12 PM ET
Lead singer for Styx?**
TomTurkey • 04/03/23 02:03 PM ET
There's a dude that asks me at least once a week for change. I offer to...
MP4VT2004 • 04/03/23 01:27 PM ET
That would be awesome **
TomTurkey • 04/03/23 01:36 PM ET
Wife and I carry little cash and rely on our cash back credit card
HokieHi71 • 04/03/23 12:14 PM ET
Those planning on doing harm to others generally choose the path of least
TopGunHokie • 04/03/23 12:12 PM ET
best to use credit cards than debit. More protections**
HokieDan95 • 04/03/23 12:10 PM ET
CPRV is in the banking business, and I think he recommended credit cards.**
EDGEMAN • 04/03/23 02:41 PM ET
...but doesn't a Debit usually require a PIN number?**
Tuckahokie • 04/03/23 12:22 PM ET
debit goes directly to your account**
HokieDan95 • 04/03/23 01:24 PM ET
I tell my kid to always have 5 $20 bills hidden on her and to never use the
dolph • 04/03/23 12:08 PM ET
I rarely carry cash now. Haven't done so for a few years. An exception...
great2bahokie • 04/03/23 12:06 PM ET
But can't you find an ATM at the airport where you land?
EDGEMAN • 04/03/23 02:46 PM ET
They are putting a Plasma Center next to Target at Valley View.....
Alan11 • 04/03/23 12:03 PM ET
There are people dealing with Substance Use Disorder who donate the
Tuckahokie • 04/03/23 12:19 PM ET
I carry some cash as it can just be easier sometimes. That said ~$50
turkeywinghokie • 04/03/23 12:01 PM ET
I ONLY carry cash. Come at me.**
Coach McGuirk • 04/03/23 11:54 AM ET
You're going to be a high roller in the underground economy...
MP4VT2004 • 04/03/23 02:33 PM ET
Where are you, physically?
HokieGator • 04/03/23 12:05 PM ET
I'm not surprised, that type thing used to
HortHokie • 04/03/23 11:53 AM ET
When I wear my Jhoon Rhee T-Shirt...Nobody Bodda Me**
Tuckahokie • 04/03/23 11:57 AM ET
My Mr. Ray's shirt gets strange looks.**
MEHOKIE • 04/03/23 04:54 PM ET
Probably not, but if I wear a nice VT shirt or
HortHokie • 04/03/23 12:02 PM ET
Good move...avoiding cash and Walmart**
BleedinOandM • 04/03/23 11:53 AM ET
I get hit up at the gas station about once a week...usually a story about
Tuckahokie • 04/03/23 11:52 AM ET
"Can I bother you for a couple dollars?" You're bothering me for free...**
RTFC • 04/04/23 12:35 AM ET
Just flash your 9 and they'll leave you alone.
EDGEMAN • 04/03/23 02:30 PM ET
i saw someone doing that driving a suburban- wanting a fill up- 80 bucks**
bigbadbird • 04/03/23 01:50 PM ET
I fell for that once. Older guy who was dressed nicely and said..
MP4VT2004 • 04/03/23 01:36 PM ET
You should have walked over and keyed his Jag...lol**
EDGEMAN • 04/03/23 02:37 PM ET
I used to get that story walking in downtown Roanoke all the time.**
NokieHokie • 04/03/23 11:56 AM ET
Boy, is that getting tiresome.
Will StewartAdmin • 04/03/23 11:55 AM ET
There's a woman in Richmond who's been "trying to get to a job interview"..
MP4VT2004 • 04/03/23 01:39 PM ET
I used to do that in DC when I worked there
Nova Hokie 95 • 04/03/23 01:25 PM ET
Be really careful- that’s a play. And definitely can involve other people t
reconhokie • 04/03/23 03:33 PM ET
I have to...usually tell them to pull their car around to a pump....
BleedinOandM • 04/03/23 11:55 AM ET
Yep, we haven't carried cash for years now **
TomTurkey • 04/03/23 11:49 AM ET
Is that really a big problem in Bburg/Cburg?**
CrystalCoveHokie • 04/03/23 11:49 AM ET
Like most safety/security issues, it's not a problem, until it's a problem.
Will StewartAdmin • 04/03/23 11:54 AM ET
When I moved into my community the HOA hired ex-Mossad as security…..
CrystalCoveHokie • 04/03/23 12:12 PM ET
I only carry a credit card and my phone. Getting closer to just carrying
Femoyer Hokie • 04/03/23 11:47 AM ET
My grandma used to walk out of the bank with cash in one hand & her wallet
NokieHokie • 04/03/23 11:42 AM ET