As you might imagine, you couldn't keep the chicks off me.
If I had to guess the percentage of time over nearly four decades when there has been cash in my wallet, it would probably be something like 15% to 20%. Seriously, I seldom have actual currency in there.
Even in the mid-80s before I had a credit card, I rarely had cash on me. When I worked at Wendy's in 1986 and would get paid, I would almost immediately spend that money on Terry. It never lasted long.
(This was a great investment, by the way, seeing as how we've been together for nearly 35 years now. Rarely does a bet pay off so well.)
According to at least one website, however, my cash-less approach is not a good one.
The boys at ArtofManliness.com suggest five reasons why a guy should still carry cash in the 2020s. The reasons are pretty much what you would expect:
- To handle emergency situations that require cash
- To tip more generously (since credit card tips are subject to card company fees)
- To tip service providers who aren't directly involved in customer transactions
- To discipline your spending habits
- To protect your privacy
Still, I'm not running to the bank to grab cash any time soon.
For one thing, every time I have cash, my wife--the chief financial officer of our family--wants to know why I have it. I have to file a report whenever I want to get at my own money. (I'm kidding...sort of.)
Also, I find myself using Apple Pay and other electronic methods of payment more and more frequently.
So I'm good where I am. I should carry at least a little cash, admittedly, even if just for emergencies.
I'm definitely going to ask Terry if it's OK.
