Has anyone nixed the debit card and gone ATM only? - Page 2

[member]

I am especially glad that we are moving in this direction as the bank has made a $75 mistake and I didn't catch it because I've been using DC for everything and my checkbook has been a mess. :

[Cathi]

We are now on a cash-only budget for items other than fixed bills. We set a limit, say $200 for each pay period, which has to cover gas, dining out, etc. For us having a set limit makes us more frugal. When it is gone, it's gone! If we splurge the first weekend of the pay period (which we usually do ) then we have to cut back the next week.

I admit the debit card was nice to have because I hate dealing with cash. BUT, it makes me more conscious of my spending to use actual money.

[janerose]

Yes. I have started taking out $500 every payday. DH gets paid biweekly, so that gives us $250/wk for groceries, gas, toiletries, household items, entertainment, gifts/cards, & stamps.

We were going drastically over our budget each month using the debit card. It's just too darn hard to not overspend using debit or credit. Paper money *hurts* when you spend it and plastic doesn't (at least not for us, not at the time : ).

We've only been doing this a couple weeks & are still adjusting to it and working out the kinks. It's going OK so far though. I think after a few months it will become second nature.

Good luck!

Holly

[butterfly1976]

I have never owned a debit card. One of the ladies at the bank tried to get me to sign up for one and she mentioned their was a fee of 25 or 40 cents every time you used it! I knew right then it wasn't for me. I can't imagine throwing that money in the trash every time you use it. Anyway, that's the way I look at it. I think as the months/years go by, that would really add up.

[wonderwahine]

Originally Posted by butterfly1976

I have never owned a debit card. One of the ladies at the bank tried to get me to sign up for one and she mentioned their was a fee of 25 or 40 cents every time you used it! I knew right then it wasn't for me. I can't imagine throwing that money in the trash every time you use it. Anyway, that's the way I look at it. I think as the months/years go by, that would really add up.

we are with washington mutual.....free checking, free checks for life, no fees at ATM's (except that particular atms added fee eg $1.50) and no debit card fees.

[nikirj]

Originally Posted by butterfly1976

I have never owned a debit card. One of the ladies at the bank tried to get me to sign up for one and she mentioned their was a fee of 25 or 40 cents every time you used it! I knew right then it wasn't for me. I can't imagine throwing that money in the trash every time you use it. Anyway, that's the way I look at it. I think as the months/years go by, that would really add up.

I haven't heard of anyone trying to pull that off in so long. Ours doesn't have a fee.