Although it would be difficult to make a grilled cheese sandwich without slicing the bread first, I think there is at least one invention that is better than sliced bread. Plastic money. I’m not talking about credit cards…no. I do not use credit cards. I am talking about the Debit card. This little slice of plastic that holds all my money in one place even if it is not in the same account is the greatest invention. I can transfer money between my accounts, pay bills on line, and always have the correct change for a purchase. The money is there when I need it and I need not worry about it blowing away in a wind, dropping it, or having it stolen. If you lose your cash, contracting Uncle Sam will not get your money back to you. If you lose your card or it gets stolen, you contact the card provider and they will put a hold on purchases and issue you a new card.
Debit cards, or virtual money in general, reduces the impact of theft and loss. Yes, someone can snatch your numbers and spend your money, but the bank covers that loss. It is more difficult to over draw on your account with a debit card. (Not impossible however.) Debit cards do not bounce, however, they can snap back like a rubber band. This could be a bad thing, but it’s not designed to be bad. If someone snatches your numbers and makes a purchase that you do not approve of, as a debit card holder, you can contact the bank, and get the charges reversed.
In the USA, government programs have gone or are going this direction as well. Debit cards, or EBTs, instead of printed food stamps not only deter mailbox robbers, but it also forgives holidays. The debit cards can be scheduled to be loaded on a set date and the government employees can go home and enjoy their free day without causing a family to go without bread and milk for a day…or two.
I rarely carry cash these good days. When someone gives me cash, I feel a bit awkward, like: What am I supposed to do with this?
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