Charlie learned a lesson I never thought about until we stopped to get him a haircut and his nose pierced the other day. When it was time to pay and Charlie pulled out his phone and his credit card because he didn’t have any cash on him.
I remember a time when carrying cash was just normal no, one used credit cards. You got paid, you went to the bank, you took out the money you needed, and you knew exactly how much you had to spend.
Today, it seems like we can pay for almost everything with a debit or credit card. Tap your phone, swipe your card, insert your card, and you’re done. But lately, I’ve been reminded of something:
Sometimes cash can save you money. And when you’re living on one family budget, those little savings matter. That $2 or $3 Doesn’t Sound Like Much… But by the end of the month it adds up to gas for the car.
Let’s say you’re paying for something that costs $50. You pull out your card and pay. Then you notice an additional fee. Or the cashier says we charge $3 for using a credit card. Maybe it’s only $2 or $3 but it ends up.
You might think, “Well, that’s not really that much.” But what happens when you do that several times a month? That’s when those little charges start adding up. For my family, $2 or $3 isn’t just $2 or $3.
That’s money that could have gone toward groceries. That’s money that could have bought a gallon of milk. That’s money that could have paid for another meal. That’s money that stays in my budget instead of going toward a fee. And because I live on one budget, I notice those dollars.
We’ve actually run into this ourselves. When Charlie went to the barbershop, we discovered that there was an additional charge for paying with a card. Now, when you’re already paying for a haircut, an additional fee may not seem like a big deal.
But why pay it if you don’t have to. If the shop accepts cash without that additional charge, cash may be the better option. And that’s something I’m going to remember from now on. That I’m trying to teach Charlie.
We ran into the same type of situation at Ink Tattoo Parlor. When we paid with a card, we were charged extra. And that got me thinking: How many businesses are doing this that we don’t even think about?
I’m not saying businesses shouldn’t have fees. I’m saying we need to know about them. Because if you don’t ask, you may not realize you’re paying one. Because we spent $5 we didn’t need to spend and on top of that we had to tip at both places costing Charlie even more money he shouldn’t have had to spend.
Here’s my new rule: Before you spend the money, if you’re going somewhere for a service, pick up the phone and say: If I pay by card is there an additional fee? If there is you can bet your bottom dollar I’m bringing cash.
That’s it. It takes less than a minute. And the answer could save you a few dollars. You can also ask: “Is there a card processing fee?” “Is there a discount for paying cash?” “Is the price different depending on how I pay?” Don’t be embarrassed to ask. It’s your money.
I’m not saying you should stop using your debit or credit card. Cards are convenient. They’re easy. They’re great when you don’t want to carry cash. And sometimes there isn’t any difference between paying with cash or a card.
But if there is a difference? I want to know about it before I hand over my money. Because if something costs $50 with cash and $53 with a card, I’m going to want to know why I’m paying that extra $3. And if I already know about it, I can decide which way makes the most sense for my family.
Here’s where those little fees become important. Imagine you get charged an extra $2 five times in one month. That’s: $2 × 5 = $10 Maybe that doesn’t sound like much. Now imagine it’s $3 five times. That’s: $3 × 5 = $15
And if you’re doing that every month? That’s $180 a year at $15 a month. That’s not pocket change to me. That’s real money. That is my grocery bill for the month or a day trip with my family.
Before you make a purchase, especially a larger purchase or pay for a service, ask what payment methods they accept and whether the price changes. And don’t assume every business has the same policy.
One place might charge a card fee. Another might not. One might offer a cash discount. Another might charge the exact same price either way. Ask. It doesn’t hurt. Like I tell David and Charlie no, doesn’t hurt it just makes you think.
We’ve personally experienced it with the barbershop and Ink Tattoo Parlor, but I’m sure there are other businesses throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area that have similar policies. And honestly, it probably isn’t limited to DFW. I bet this also happens in Oklahoma when we visit there.
Businesses everywhere may have different ways of handling payment-processing costs. That’s why I’m not telling you: “Always pay cash.” I’m telling you: Always ask. Because you can’t make the best decision about your money if you don’t know what you’re being charged.
For my family living on one budget changes how I look at money because some people can spend an extra $2 or $3 without thinking twice. That’s wonderful if they can. But that’s not my families reality. We live on one budget.
So I look at every dollar differently. I’m constantly asking myself: “Do we need this?” “Can I get it cheaper?” “Is there another way?” “Can I save a few dollars here?” Because saving $2 today might not feel like much. But saving $2 here, $3 there, $5 somewhere else…
That’s how you find money in a tight budget. And sometimes finding money isn’t about earning more. Sometimes it’s about keeping the money you already have. So Before You Pull Out That Card… The next time you’re making a purchase, especially at a small business or when you’re paying for a service, ask one simple question: “If I pay cash, is there an extra charge for using my card?”
You might discover there’s no difference. Great! Use whichever payment method works best for you. But you might also discover that paying cash saves you a few dollars. And if it does? Put that money back in your pocket. Because in my family, those little dollars add up. And when you’re living on one budget… Every dollar matters.
Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates