Originally Posted by
Dr. HFH
I had an ATM card for a couple of years in the mid-1970s, but not since. The problem was that I'd withdraw or deposit money but then forget to write it in my checkbook register. Every so often I'd have to stop using the account to let everything clear so I'd know how much money I had.
Yeah. Well...
90+% of my checks are from me to me, swapping money from one account to another in a faster way than ACH online debit (my credit union has
instant availability for deposited funds, very convenient if I have to tap an emergency fund or an "
envelope budget" I've set aside- bills, travel, college fund, fun money, etc.).
I've probably written less than 10 physical checks not involving from me, to me in the past two years (online billpay that generates a check is different).
As such I don't bounce checks (that I don't write) and I know roughly what I have to spend in my "envelopes" (pretty precisely if I go online and check balances). That plus online account access + budgeting software and you don't bounce checks
or overspend.
So for me, ATM cards are fine for "well, it's Thailand, I'll need some cash". I've usually already set aside the travel budget for cash I expect to spend into the correct account/"envelope" that has no-fee ATM withdrawals.
