Does ATM Mean Another Twenty Missing?

October 17, 2008

Some people are more inclined to spend if they have cash on hand, a pattern that gave rise to the joke that ATM stands for "another twenty missing." Have you found this to be true?

Source

15 Comments

GiGiG 4 years 31 weeks

When I first read the title of this post, I was thinking of something different entirely. "Another Twenty Missing"? I thought it was going to be a post about Identity Theft at the ATM--huge in Miami and Latin America. "Another Twenty Missing" would actually mean "Another Thousand Missing" here. I hardly ever use the ATM for this reason. I usually pull out extra cash at Target or the Grocery store. I find I only pull out $10 when I do this--tacking on $10 to an already $32 bill seems less "expensive". I use the cash for lunch throughout the work week, if I don't bring it in--it works. And I must say, spreading $10 over the course of one week is pretty thrifty.

GiGiG 4 years 31 weeks

When I first read the title of this post, I was thinking of something different entirely. "Another Twenty Missing"? I thought it was going to be a post about Identity Theft at the ATM--huge in Miami and Latin America. "Another Twenty Missing" would actually mean "Another Thousand Missing" here.I hardly ever use the ATM for this reason. I usually pull out extra cash at Target or the Grocery store. I find I only pull out $10 when I do this--tacking on $10 to an already $32 bill seems less "expensive". I use the cash for lunch throughout the work week, if I don't bring it in--it works. And I must say, spreading $10 over the course of one week is pretty thrifty.

dcfashionista 4 years 31 weeks

I am so weird. I will get the cash but will leave the cash in my wallet and swipe my card. One thing to do is to leave my debit card at home and will think twice about using my cash since I don't want to deplete it all.

bsglrok132 4 years 31 weeks

I always spend cash on things like a cookie or candy bar that I don't need, so I take out whatever petty cash I have available for the week and I don't spend any more after I spend that. It's a pretty good system because that way I don't accidentally spend $100 on, well, nothing.

i heart monster 4 years 31 weeks

I so rarely go to get cash... I usually just get what i need, and then the extra seems to stay in my wallet for forever - I always forget about it. It's like a nice surprise when I need some money and I've got like 80 bucks stashed in my wallet!

jennjennnbubba 4 years 31 weeks

I used to be like that but now I only take out the cash I need and spend it wisely

lintacious 4 years 31 weeks

This is silly. I've never heard of this phrase. And i agree! In fact, whenever Sugar makes a post about "New Budget Tip: Only Use Cash" I always disagree. If I have cash in my purse, I use it. I'll buy that candy bar or that bagel or that drink. But if I only have my card, I'm not taking out $20 for a candy bar and I'm not starting a tab. So I definitely spend less if I don't have cash around.

Colleeninator 4 years 31 weeks

I'm working as a waiter right now, so I always have cash. However, I never SPEND the cash because I like to have a record of everything I've spent, and what I spent it on (keeping track of your expenses really helps when money's tight). I'm actually far more likely to use my debit card than cash.

Annie0818 4 years 31 weeks

This used to be the case for me but my husband and I switched banks to TD Banknorth and they offer free atm anywhere, which basically means the bank reimburses you at the end of the month with whatever atm fees have been applied to you account. You'd be surprised how much you actually spend on atm fees especially when traveling.

Annie0818 4 years 31 weeks

HeidiMD 4 years 31 weeks

DBeauty, I use the same technique. It took me a while to get into the habit, but now I know that I just have to deal with it if it's gone!

ilanac13 4 years 31 weeks

i'm really good with my money so i usually know where it's going even if i'm using the ATM or my debit card.

dbeauty87 4 years 31 weeks

Yeah, my withdrawals used to dissapear in thin air. now i take a certain amount out a week and if its gone in 2 days or 5 days, no matter what, i will not go back to to the atm. This helps me manage my cash a lot better