Oct 22nd, 2012 by Jennifer Lynn
M. and I are fond of browsing the farmers market for fresh, locally grown produce and it has become somewhat of a tradition in our little family to attend the market every Saturday morning at the parkway five blocks from our apartment. Once we arrive home, our sacks brimming with delectable bounty, another ritual ensues—the frenzied preparation of a savory, home-cooked breakfast, a bursting potpourri of newly-obtained ingredients.
Here is an example, with scrambled duck eggs (for our eggs we enjoy alternating between chicken and duck), peach, veggies, tomato and a fresh-baked blueberry streusel muffin:
Mmmmm, a heavenly breakfast that is simply delish!
We always utilize cash whenever we attend the market and thus carry anywhere between $50 to $100, depending on what is in season and what our selection for that particular week is.
This weekend we were stuck in line behind a patron who was fumbling through his wallet to pay for a string of garlic bulbs, and I was a bit surprised when the gentleman had to eventually step away to track down an ATM because he had no cash on hand. This made me wonder how often people still carry cash, and how much.
Usually I make an effort to have around $40 tucked in my pocket at all times (with a nice selection of $5′s, $10′s and singles) and a cache of spare change somewhere in the vehicle, which is especially useful while living in the city if, for example, I want to run downtown for a cheap bite with friends, as parking in designated lots or ramps can cost upward of $5 or more.
A drawback with having access to immediate cash on hand: it can be much harder to keep track of since it is ridiculously easy to spend.
Admittedly there have been occasions where I’ve lost track and then scratched my head at the end of the day, wondering where the hell all my cash dwindled away to. Using vending machines during tediously long errands that tend to crop up (such as car oil changes) and the drive-thru for coffee are HUGE culprits here. Gulp.
Now I am a bit more mindful about guarding my cash and find it helpful to carry a bag, containing: my tablet, a notebook and pen, my current novel or magazine of choice, bottled water, a coffee mug, and some snacks to smother those dreaded munch-y pangs.
Is cash still king?
Do you find plastic more convenient and tend to swipe everything? Does cash vanish more easily because you feel a greater urge to spend down with it?
I am curious for a peek inside your wallet: how much cash do you regularly carry?
=^..^=
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That plate looks delicious, you made me hungry! I often carry no cash, because I am messy, lose it, forget about it and leave it in my jeans when I wash them, or get robbed (less frequent, but has happened). When I withdraw some to go to the market or out, I know it will all be fun money and consider it spend as soon as I get it.
Right now I have 8.45 euros (about $10), that should buy a couple of beers with a friend tomorrow, I like having small change to split the bill correctly too.
I never carry cash on me. I almost never need it! Debit card for everything. I do have to think ahead if I need cash–like for a farmer's market. Then I hit the ATM.
We're so much alike! I typically don't carry any cash. However, for Saturdays (farmers market days) I keep 40-60$ in the drawer. Before we'd spend about $100 on Saturdays, but recent bf job loss made us cut back down to $40. Surprisingly we are still able to get a ton of veggies and fruits for our $40.
Here is what we can typically get away with for $40 or less:
avacados
shitake mushrooms (most expensive item)
green beans
stir fry greens
sprouts
asparagus
broccoli
medium pumpkin
green onions
onions
garlic
celery
a dozen of oranges
3 grapefruits
carrots
grapes
lettuce and such
zucchini
Of course we don't stop there for shopping. We typically follow up with a visit straight to Trader Joe's to get some other ingredients like chicken and such, but those don't require cash. Saturday is our day to buy food for the entire week. We try not to go back until next Saturday
I tend to always carry some cash on me, it's normally less than $100 but more than $50.
I probably don't need to carry cash as everywhere has credit facilities, but I just feel more comfortable with it.
I rarely carry cash on me. I just use my credit card and make sure I transfer money from my checking account to a separate savings account that I use to pay off the bill in full when it comes. You really have to be disciplined though as a few missed transfers can set you up for a surprise when the credit card bill comes in the mail.
I don't carry a lot of cash on me. I can't; I use it too quickly. However, if I'm going shopping or out with friends, I will bring cash so I don't overspend. I like having the restriction of cash, knowing I have to pay attention to price. It also helps with self-control.
Rarely have much… usually $10 or $20, but often nothing. I used to have it more regularly when my paycheque included tips. My mom has been trying to convince my brother and I to always have at least $20 since we were about 14 and it's never worked!
Sometimes it's annoying, like when I randomly decide to go to the farmer's market.
I usually have about $20 cash on me and my wife may have a little more than that. I tend to just have it in the case I am some where that may not accept cards. We use our card quite a bit because it's much easier to track our spending.
I don't carry cash either, I use my debit card for practically everything and I think that might be my mistake. I am going to give myself 40.00 (or something I haven't figured it out) a week to spend, but still track it to see what I am doing.
I love farmers markets and your plate looks awesome. I wonder if duck eggs are more nutritious?
@Pauline, gosh, so sorry to hear about being robbed. How scary. Beer sounds absolutely divine. Enjoy the spirits with your friends!
@Valerie, ahh, interesting. I am a total cash spaz. Looks like I may be in the minority here, however.
@Veronica, hah! Yes, that shopping list is exactly like ours. Everything you've listed are huge staples in our diet.
@Glen, I agree 110%. I feel much more comfortable when I have a few bucks on hand to fall back on. (And by a few, I mean, like, $40 plus, lol.)
@MoneySmartGuides, that is a neat strategy. I am curious now to know what your credit card of choice is. Or perhaps you use several?
@Jana, agreed completely. I tend to be a bit more reckless with swiping than with physical cash.
@Anne, I miss tip money. My pockets always brimmed with change when I was a waitress.
@John S., I try to use my Amex for all purchases to maximum rewards. I'm such a ninnyhammer though and will also tuck away a few crisp tens and twenties somewhere.
@Debtgirl, allegedly duck eggs are supposed to be a bit more nutritious than chicken. Both are quite tasty. While in debt, I used to give myself a weekly cash 'allowance' and it worked out brilliantly.
There are lots of people that I talk to that still believe cash is King and carry it everywhere they go. We don't carry cash often as we simply like to get the points on our credit cards and less hassle really. There is the odd time we need cash and we get cash back at the shops if needed. I think whatever makes someone comfortable and works for them is best. Cheers Mr.CBB
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We hardly ever carry cash. It is very rare that we even have $1 in either of our wallets!!! I don't know why….
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I never carry any cash, and it's one of the reasons I don't go to farmer's markets as often as I'd like.
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I almost never carry cash. I despise ATMs and get my paycheck by direct deposit so I'm never at the bank either. If I went places that didn't accept credit, then I'd be different I suppose..
[...] try to buy in season. We enjoy frequenting the farmers market and community co-op to purchase local produce and fruit in season. This saves us a tremendous amount of money since we [...]