pay cash and be looked down upon?

I like using a credit card. As soon as I was legally to apply for one, I did. I remember it quite clearly, it was for some eBay rewards credit card, but I didn't qualify, seeing as I was just barely out of high school without any credit history. Anyway, I was able to apply for a credit card through my bank that I still have to this day. I don't use it anymore since I have a new card from the same bank that has a rewards program, but I still have it.

If at all possible I try to always use my credit card. My first thinking about my first card was that, well, I guess it would help make my credit rating better if I used my card as often as possible. I only use it when I know I have enough to pay it off right away, and usually the day I charge something to my card I also go online and pay it off right away, so I don't have to worry about getting into debt or having late payments, although sometimes I haven't paid it off right away, but at least in time before it was considered late, or so I think, I haven't ever been sent a late notice or anything, so I think it's all cool.

Now I try to use my credit card as much as possible because I get 5% cash back rewards on most purchases I make. I haven't really checked my points and all that, but I think you only get to use them after a year of making purchases, I'm not sure yet, I'll have to look into it. Hopefully I'll remember to look into it and get some money back, so it should be a win-win situation using the credit card here. I always try to have my credit card, debit card, and cash if I have some, at least $20 in my wallet at all times.

But some places don't accept my Visa, don't use debit, and just take only cash, so that's why I've always gotta have some cash on me. And if worse comes to worse I'll have to go to my bank or find one of their ATMs to get some money using my debit card. I guess the mentality is that only rich people, or at least those that are better off financially use credit cards. You've seen those commercials where those big wig executives go out to eat at a fancy restaurant and their credit card gets declined. Here's a funny movie clip from a recently favorite comedian of mine that is kind of a parody to those situations: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr9PIOu3Hds.

It is a lot more convenient to have my credit card with me though, even though some places only take cash or have special express lanes for cash customers, because let's say you have to make a big purchase, maybe something costs $1000, like a Plasma TV. Would you want to be walking about with a big fat wad of $20s in your pocket to pay for the TV, or would you rather walk around with a little piece of plastic? I think it's more safe walking about with the plastic, it's easier to conceal, much more safer. If you were walking around with such a fat stack it's like a big sign on your back saying "Rob me!"

But you've also got to be careful not to lose it or have it stolen, etc. I was a mini victim of identity theft earlier this year, someone apparently charged my card for an order of flowers about $55 worth on the other side of the country! I still have my card, so I have no idea how whoever charged it got ahold of my numbers and was able to use it, but so far no other charges have come up on the card, so I should be safe. My brother was a victim of identity theft and had thousands of dollars loaded onto his name and account and it took him a long time and a bunch of bullshit to get it all cleared up. Fucking scumbags out there I tell you.

Also, some places only take credit cards, like online merchants, so that was another reason I got my credit card, to buy stuff online. So, I'd say it's best to have a variety of ways to pay, because you never know if you're American Express is going to be accepted at that particular store or if that mom and pop shop even have a debit card terminal set up for you to use. I think that's about it.

Jam it back in, in the dark.