Most of my work involves getting paid by bank transfer or by
cheque and has done for donkey's years.
I don’t often get to earn cold hard cash, so when some comes my way I find
myself experiencing the same feelings I had when I first started work and got
my wages on a Friday afternoon, in a brown manilla pay packet with my name on it, with the
deductions neatly listed, and subtracted to give me my final take home pay.
Strange too that having cash, and more importantly paying in cash – cash that I’ve earned
very directly - makes me much more cautious, more aware of how much things
cost, keener to seek out a bargain, rather the more cavalier shopping trips
when I fill my shopping basket, whip out my debit card and slide it into the
machine – often without really registering exactly how much my groceries have cost. With
a card, if my budget for shopping is £30.00 I don’t really worry or think about
putting something back if it comes to £33.00 or even £40.00…not so with cash.
So, I’m thinking, given these tighter times, that maybe
drawing out what I have to spend in cash and going shopping with that in my
purse, rather than my debit card will make me more aware, less likely to
overspend and far keener (not that I need much encouragement) to seek out a bargain.
I’m planning to try it and see how
I get on and put my change in a jar … just like I did all those years ago when
I was paid in cash.
I’ll let you know how I get on.
I still do that Sue. I take cash out of the bank before I go shopping. Mainly because I don't want to use my debit card and prefer to use hubby's money so I write a cheque using his cheque book and take it to the bank. We don't have a joint account but all household expenses are paid by him (fortunately I am a signatory on his account). I just have to make sure I take enough money out in case I spend more than I expect. lol I really do like to have cash in my purse.
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ReplyDeleteThanks for posting Sheila; I hadn't realised how those few extra pounds on each purchase add up - so I'm going to see how I get on with mostly cash only!
ReplyDeleteIt is all right paying by card if you shop in one place but going from store to store, which I do tend to do, Means yo can see how much cash you have left.
ReplyDeleteI'm now budgeting within an inch of my life.
ReplyDeleteI find that cash just doesn't hang around like it used to. It's as if it doesn't like me any more. My wallet is a place where it pauses and then it shoots off again.
Don't get me on the cost of living. I used to feed Boy, the Cat and me for £25.00. I'd come home with 5 bags full of shopping.
Now? Hah. £25.00 is a few essentials and barely fills a bag.
Austerity Measures.
me too - I'm watching every penny... mostly as it vanishes, but I am watching it!
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