when i want to put myself on a budget for the week, i'll usually take out a set amount from the ATM and that's all the cash that i have. i usually don't like to carry cash though, so using my debit card is a lot easier for me - and you're right - there's not always the psychological tie-in so you don't always realize how much your spending.

I rarely use cash. But I am also faithful in balancing my checkbook each month, which is a strong argument for the cash-less spender. There are those that don't do this simple process and so it might be easier to use cash. I wouldn't mind having a cash allowance for 2 weeks, for the small purchases like coffee or a vending machines because I hate using a card for a buck purchase. But ever since the gas stations and fast food restaurants have started using card machines, it's nothing to make that charge.

I use both systems. With the debit card I do too much swiping and I could have a wallet full of cash but will still swipe my card. I tend to want to hold onto my cash. I may just have to leave the debit card at home.

I rarely use cash. I balance both of my checkbooks and I know how much money I am allowed to spend in a two week period, after things have been paid and I leave a little in the account for what ifs. I usually stock up gift cards during December and use them all year long (sometimes I like coffee but I do not have it everyday, its for a treat). I never use vending machines and I bring my breakfast, lunch, and 2 snacks a day.

A good way that helps me when I have cash - after I buy something when I have cash, I take all the change at the end of the week and dump it into jar at home. I think over the years, I have a combination of everything but its the what if money. I have about 50.00 in that jar.

If I don't carry cash I carry my debit card and when I have cash I leave the debit card at home. It's the only system that works for me to avoid overspending.

My husband is Dave Ramsey's No. 1 fan, so we are cash only. I like the method, it works very well for us and I can see the philosophy behind it.

i use my card exclusively, because whenever i take out cash, i end up spending WAYYY more on stupid little things & my cash is gone before i know it. if i have to use my card to buy a $3 coffee or $1 soda from the vending machine, i'm way less likely to do it, but if i have the $3 cash, i'll drop it in a heartbeat. i also like to be able to track every single penny i spend through my online banking & i like to see how much i'm spending in each category. if i use cash, i never keep track of it & don't know how much i've spent different places.

I take out a set amount of cash on Fridays - that way, I have money to spend on the days I will probably spend the most (the weekend), but I also know that it needs to last until next Thursday. Ever since I switched to this method, I have saved TONS of money and I don't impulse buy. I used to use a combination of cash and card but it just didn't work out for me because I ended up spending more than I wanted to. Ever since I switched to this method upon my mom's advice, I've stressed less about money and have enjoyed myself more -guilt free!

I also use cash when I'm trying not to spend on frivolous things. I find it much easier to hand over a card when purchasing a $30 shirt, than it is to hand over a 20 and a 10 and seeing I only have $5 left in the wallet.

I'm not a strict cash-only user, but I do use it when I travel and when I'm saving or trying to cut back on spending. It really helps me.

I don't use cash unless absolutely necessary. If I do, two weeks later when I'm wondering why I don't have any money... I can't remember what I split that 100 dollar bill to get and then what I got with the change. With my cards and checks I can use that awesome website Mint and keep track of my budget all month long! And I always pay myself (my savings) first and then bills.

I try to use cash much more than cards--like syako says, there's something about being able to see just how little cash a purchase will leave you with that can be a great deterrent to wasting

i try to go as cashless as possible ... so i can see where my money is going on a bill and never have the problem of trying to remember where my last $20 went.

I use my credit card primarely and transfer money to my checking to pay it off once a month. My money earns a lot more interest sitting in a savings account than an envelope (or even a checking account connected to a debit). I've never understood people that go into credit card debt because they have no concept of their spending, it's really not that hard!

I have that keep the change thing set up on my debit card so I use that, and then we have a credit card that gives us a 5% rebate on our gas and food purchases so we use that. In order to get the maximum rebates we use the cards, it also allows us to track our expenses in Quicken. I get paid on a weekly basis so it's easier to not overspend than when I got paid on a monthly basis, since even though it doesn't need to last as long, I have less to start with.

I already know how much I'm going to spend on rent, the bills (more or less), and food/house supplies, so I always have a certain amount that I can spend on going out or little everyday things. I use a mix of cash and credit/debit but I always know what's going on with my finances.

I can't carry cash without it burning a hole in my pocket. Debit card for me please

I have been cash only for the majority of my adult life... because I think credit is killing this country... and fueling this recession.

So, even if I have nothing in savings, I'm flat. I owe no one! It's liberating and takes all that stress out of my life!

I really wish more people would do this... I think it would help our country greatly.

Hahaha, I read the first paragraph and was going to mention how we went cash only through Dave Ramsey's program.

Here's my two cents - it USED to be hard for me to have cash because it would burn a hole in my pocket and I'd end up using my debit card any way. Now with cash only and no debit or credit or even checks to back it up, I watch it much much more carefully. Way more than with the debit card. I also use the envelope system occasionally to keep me on track when I feel like it's all been disappearing too quickly, but when I only have enough for food and gas and only spend it on food and gas I know where it's going any way.

Cash only. It has really helped reign in my spending. I was going way over every month, but I also wasn't checking the accounts because my husband handles the bills. After about 6 months of me being about $900 over every month, we devised the cash only system. If I was looking at credit card statements I'm sure it would be easy to track, etc. But I love the power of paying with cash. It just feels good.

I would rather use my debit card, I have a bad habit of shoving change in my purse (not my wallet) and losing money!

cash only. it's the ONLY thing that's worked for me and my spendy-spendy habits. swiping that plastic is just too convenient!

I use both to my advantage.

Thanks Sundrops!

You kind of cleared up a lot of the fuzz for me with the cash ideas.

I may give it a shot, but that wouldn't be a change I could make over night too easily.

Thanks!

I am currently on the cash only plan b.c I have found I have a more difficult time spending frivolous cash that swiping the card

I use both and it's not really working, but I swear I'll stick to my budget when I get my tax return back (soon hopefully!) *Fingers crossed*

I only use my debit card at the ATM (to withdraw cash or put in checks). I use my credit card most of the time, and yes, I guess that allows me to spend more. But I don't really spend much at all usually, mostly on groceries, and it's more efficient with the price of gas these days to buy all the groceries at once than to limit myself with the amount of money I have on me. And since I pay off my bills each month, it's not hurting me too much, and I do earn cashback on my credit card, which is nice. I keep cash on me for when I might have to take a cab, or if I'm going out to lunch with a bunch of people (it's easier than trying to split among a bunch of credit cards), or if I'm going to a place that only takes cash (small cafes, farmers markets, etc.) I tend to spend the same amount per month regardless, unless I have to make a large purchase for some reason (I might have to buy a car soon, which will definitely hurt my net worth).

I use a little of both but only keep around $40 cash so I do use my debit card more often

I use credit cards primarily. This way I can easily keep track of what i spend o clothes, shoes, food, and other expenses throughout the month. I feel like i have better control because it's easire to keep track of my finances. Plus I buy almost EVERYTHING (but food) online, and its just crazy to use a debit card online!

I almost always use my credit card because I earn points for gift certificates to my favorite store. I *always* pay my bill off in full each month. If I can't afford it I don't buy it.

I love this subject because I am currently trying to figure this out for myself. I was a debit only person, but I spet to much and was always "surprised" when I checked my balance. I'm currently a debit/cash person as I hate charging items for $1,but also hate having large amounts of cash on me. So I like being in between. I can charge larger amouts and keep up with my balance and spend cash on small amounts and keep up as well. That debit swipping action is addictive and that's what made me want to change as well. I am more concerned when I hand cash to some1 and when I see it depleting I am more conscious onmy next purchase.

I think that cash-only is more effective, but I personally use both (cash and credit).

I have found that we, me more so are using the debit card. I balance my checkbook ever other day or so. I using debit it seems we are keeping money longer than with using cash!
Another question, I know so places do but when will places and banks start charging a per transaction fee, that's probably next!!!!!

I found that I was doing ok in most areas, but had one or two "problem" areas- groceries & miscellaneous. So, I divide my monthly budget by 4.33 to get a weekly amount. I have 2 index cards- yellow for groceries, blue for misc. On Sunday, I write my weekly allotment on the card, stick it in my wallet, and then EVERY time I spend money from one of those categories, I subtract it on the card. When I am out, I can't spend anymore til the next week. This seems to work better than trying to stick to a monthly budget- I can usually wait a few days on groceries, but if I were over budget midmonth, it would be hard to stretch 2 weeks for food~

@Lynettes: I like your system of index cards. I do something similar: every week I take some money and goes into: wallet (for things I actually need), smaller wallet (for things I don't need but I want) and a set amount for savings. That makes me think over everything I buy and consider whether I need it or not. Taking out the smaller wallet feels like a punishment. That said, every few weeks I burn the amount in the smaller wallet to buy anything to avoid feeling completely deprived.