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From: Tom Elam <thomas.e.elam@gmail.com>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.advocacy
Subject: Re: YA bored Tommy Troll Thread (was ...) Correction! $75k Not $30k
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2025 12:10:52 -0400
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On 4/16/2025 11:17 AM, Tom Elam wrote:
> On 4/2/2025 3:33 PM, -hh wrote:
>> On 4/1/25 18:15, Tom Elam wrote:
>>> [...]
>>>
>>> Hugh, there are bills like income taxes, property taxes and our 
>>> electric bill that we pay with direct debit rather than a credit 
>>> card. Why? The credit card service fees exceed the 2% cash back on my 
>>> card. I always watch for those fees, but have not ever see a 10%. 
>>
>> I don't believe that I've seen 10% before either, but now I have.
>>
>>> However, a travel agency we use charges 5%. I send a check. 
>>
>> Merely an illustration of attention to detail for each vendor.  As 
>> I've mentioned before, a goodly number of my local small merchants do 
>> have "cash discounts" (eg, CC surcharges) and they're greater than 2%.
>>
>> Of course for travel, there's also a risk trade-off here, as using a 
>> credit card offers some additional protections vs cash.
>>
>>
>>> During 2024 ...
>>
>> That's really your business.
>>
>>
>> -hh
>>
>>
> 
> 
> I never said that a credit card is ALWAYS the way to go. There are many 
> exceptions, and I cited some. However, for day-to-day payments my 2% 
> card is the way to go, as is my 5%-back Target DEBIT card. Exceptions 
> include paying taxes. I use direct debit for IRS and Indiana Dept. of 
> Revenue for estimated taxes. Same for property taxes. No fee for these 
> using direct debit, 3% or more for a credit card. Same for my utility 
> bills.
> 
> As for our small local businesses I do not think I have ever seen a sign 
> for cash discount. Certainly not at chain stores.
> 
> All that said, last year we earned about $1,500 on our 2% credit (and 5% 
> at Target) rebate cards. I drove my Accord 15,600 miles on $1,070 of 
> fuel (I have a Google Drive spreadsheet.) Our total gasoline cost was 
> $1,660 (Quicken). So the rebates almost paid for our auto fuel.
> 
> The $1,500 in rebates is about $75,000 in spending. Total spend was 
> $185,000 give or take. There were big chunks that were a credit card was 
> not the best way to pay, or the vendor required a check. Almost nothing 
> was cash. Well, the neighborhood cat sitter was about $1,000 because 
> were were gone so much, was all cash.
> 
> Cash for international travel is not advisable in most countries. It 
> does come in handy for tips, taxi fares, etc. For most expenses I use 
> credit cards not for the rebate but for fraud protection. If I need cash 
> there is usually a bank ATM available.