Cash

I still use cash, because you just never know when the bank is going to whack on a charge.

It is interesting, that at some restaurants they will tell me how much I owe, and when I produce cash, they revise my bill down, it is never very much, but I think it is always better in my pocket.

Now a days, I often get a discount because business' don't always have the change to give me.

I buy bread regularly from my bakery, which is $6, but they always accept $5 from me, I'm never really sure if it is because I am a good customer, or due to the change situation. That might not sound like much, but it means that I effectively get every 5th loaf for free.

None of them are really the reason why I use cash, mostly it is because I just like it, it is as simple as that. I like the feel of the notes in my fingers. I like the smell of the notes in my nostrils. That is real life.

Ha, ha, while I do like the feel and the smell, it isn't really the reason. Avoiding bank charges is the real reason.

I do feel a slight perpendicular satisfaction that my purchases aren't being tracked and recorded and the data from which isn't on sold to whoever, but that is just an added delight to savour.

And an even more minor reason (Is that good English? I'm not even sure) was the other day when I was buying a coffee and the electronic charging apparatus was not functioning and the coffee establishment couldn't give anyone a coffee as nobody could pay for them, I was ushered to the front of the line and got my coffee ahead of everyone else because I could pay with cash. That was the smallest of smug joys.

Of course, it does necessitate me lying to the street people when they ask for change. "Oh, sorry, I don't have any change on me," which is probably less true of me than most other people, but, I have donated to The Smith Family for years, so I don't feel too much guilt over that one.