#1.) When You're Shopping at a Small Business. If you're at Wal-Mart, go ahead and pay however you want to. But banks actually charge the STORE when you use a card . . . sometimes as much as 3% of your total purchase.
--So it's better to pay with cash at a mom-and-pop store, because they get don't get charged for it.
#2.) When You're Leaving a Tip. It depends on the restaurant, but sometimes the credit card tips don't get paid out to the servers until the end of the week.
--And when you're working for tips, having cash-in-hand at the end of the night can make a difference.
--Plus . . . and this probably isn't that common . . . but according to CreditCards.com, some restaurants actually make the SERVERS pay the bank charges.
#3.) Anytime You Plan to Haggle. Like at a flea market, because it's easier to bargain with someone when you're holding a bunch of bills in their face.
--Plus, the vendors get charged if they run a card, just a like a small business does. And since they KNOW they'll be charged, that could ALSO affect how low they go.
#4.) When You're on a Budget. Study after study shows that you spend less . . . because you BUY less . . . when you're paying with cash.
--One reason is because you don't actually feel like you're parting with REAL money when you use a card. Another is because paying with cash forces you to keep track of what you spend, because eventually you run out.
#5.) When You're Buying Something You Might Have to Return. Especially if it's a present for someone else, because if they return it and you used a card, they'll only be able to get store credit.
--But even if it's something for YOU, you should still use cash, because sometimes it takes days before a refund ends up back in your bank account. But if you pay with cash, you'll get it back immediately.
