Why We Need Real Money for Modern Times

 It's Okay to Carry Cash in the Modern World

Since my last blog post about living a prepared life, I've been talking a lot with people about readiness and preparedness.  One thing I have taken notice of, is that many people do not carry any cash with them.  The debit card is King.  I find this to be very troubling and it has almost  become my latest soapbox issue to rant about.  I work in a retail environment and I can't tell you the number of times each day that someone will purchase some small item, like a $1.19 pack of garden seeds, using a debit card.  Of course, as a retailer, I dislike the practice because it cuts out any profit we may have made on the purchase.  Banks charge hefty fees to stores in order for customers to have the convenience of purchasing with plastic.  But this is not the most troubling reason that I think we should be carrying some cash with us.

My main reason for being troubled by the public not carrying cash, is that it stops us from being prepared.  If you rely on only plastic to pay for your purchases, you are at the mercy of circumstances beyond your control.   Having raised four children, who are now young adults, my husband and I stressed a few things with them as they would venture out from the nest.

1.  Have a paper map in the car and know where you are going.  GPS's can be wrong, not updated or lose a signal at the wrong time and place.

2. Fill the gas tank in the car.

3.  Have some extra cash.

We would tell them that, should the car breakdown or if they got lost, these three items may be essential to their safety.  In the event of a power outage, most merchants will still gladly accept cash, while not many stores are willing to take the chance that your debit or credit card is good, and that the transaction will be approved when the power returns.

Recently, I was meeting with three people from a  bank regarding debit card processing.  I asked them about this topic and all three admitted that they do not carry cash.  I was shocked.  With all the uncertainty in today's financial market, I want to have a little cash on hand to purchase what we need should an unforeseen bank closure occur.  I am not talking about a large amount of cash, but rather some money that could be useful if technology breaks down. 


Even though technology has brought us to a point where we do not need to carry currency in our pocket, I still feel that it is in our best interest to do so.  My advice to you: Go to your ATM or bank.  Take out a few $10 bills and put them in your wallet.  You don't have to use the money, but one day you may be glad that you have the cash available. 

Bottom line to me is this.  It's okay to embrace the modern technology and conveniences offered to us.  But if we don't protect ourselves and learn how to carry on without the modern conveniences, we are then nothing but slaves to technology.