What is the optimal amount of cash to carry in your wallet

[jammies]

I usually take out $300, then let my wallet get back down to about $10 before filling up again.

I figure the time I don't spend using Interac and lining up at the bank machine will add up, so that in the end I can eat fatty foods by the bucketload and still end up with about the same life expectancy.

[Caged Great]

For Ed Belfour, it would be 1 Billion Dollars.

I usually carry 15-25 on me.

[flip]

i try not to use my debit card to avoid bank fees so its always First Cheque for me (its a mastercard but it comes directly out of my bank account)

so it has all the security of a credit card but i can use it like a debit card.

but generally i only carry more than $20-40 on the weekends when i take out like $200 then use that as my budget for the weekend. not every weekend of course im not rich. but i do like to drink.

I think for most people a good amount is under $100. if your wallet gets stolen or lost its just that much harder to take.

[Antithesis]

I rarely carry cash. The typical amount I have is less than $20. I use my credit card as much as possible.

[McG]

its 42. oh wait. that was a different question.

the answer to this one is zero. nada. nothing. zilch.

visa first, mastercard second, and amex third. then interac. and then? no sale. if you can't take the first 4, I sure am not going to inconvenience myself.

[Kybosh]

I rarely have any cash on me because I rarely have any money to take out of my bank account. In fact, I just spent my last $2 today on some coffee hehe. Hooray for Visa.

On a side note, I heard a couple days ago that the poverty line in Calgary is now $35k/year. I can't believe that, I'd be sitting pretty if I made that much money lol.

[icarus]

What a society we live in. People can go through life without ever seeing cash. Their paycheque goes into their bank accounts and all their day-to-day transactions come off of credit card or debit. There is no money anymore, just numbers.

[albertGQ]

I use my credit card for everything. I get cash back so I make money using my MC. Cash is only used for the bar.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

For those that don't carry cash - don't you feel a little silly buying a pack of gum and busting out a credit card?

Most food courts don't do plastic either.

I suppose the biggest thing for me to carry $120 around with me is that I LOATHE paying the bank service charges. I keep $1,000 in the bank and don't pay a thing to withdraw cash from a TD ATM. Whereas using Interac is quite pricey with or without a bank service plan.

[gottabekd]

Originally Posted by icarus

There is no money anymore, just numbers.

Bills and coins are pretty worthless themselves. The only thing that matters are tangible goods like a big house and fancy car.

[DAN0383]

I pretty much use debit most of the time. Cash for the bar only.
I have had my card skimmed twice though but meh, happens.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by BlackEleven

I usually take out $100 at a time. I pay as much as I can on credit, and if they don't take credit (or my purchase is under $10), I'll pay cash. Then when I run out of cash, I go back to the ATM. Seems to work well for me.

I do the same.