Cash vs card for daily spending - which actually saves you more?

I tracked my spending for 3 months last year using only cash for one month and only my debit card the next. With cash I spent 12% less but kept losing track of receipts and budget categories. My buddy in Austin swears by cards for the rewards points but I feel like I'm just paying more. What do you all use for everyday stuff and have you actually checked the difference?

3 comments

3 Comments

alex82010d ago

My train of thought derailed completely trying to decipher those 12% calculations, but cash made me feel like a real adult for exactly one afternoon.

scott.alex10d ago

@alex820 same here, always thought cash was for old people but now I get it.

the_rowan9d agoTop Commenter

Did you hold the cash up to your nose and smell it too? I did that with my first twenty from a real job, just stood there in the bank lobby like a weirdo. My grandpa used to carry a wad so thick his wallet looked like a grilled cheese sandwich, and I finally got why. Lasted about a day before I spent it all on tacos and a novelty keychain that says "I'm an adult now.