4 Ways to Avoid ATM Fees
Why are we still using cash? That’s the question posed in a recent episode of Freakonomics Radio. Created by New York Times best selling authors Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, the award-winning podcast blends economics and pop-culture to explore the “hidden side of everything”. In typical Freakonomics fashion, this episode digs deep into a range of economic questions about the role of cash in society and uncovers numerous pitfalls along the way.
According to their reporting, some countries such as Sweden are making moves to ditch cash entirely. Yet others such as the U.S. are printing more cash than ever–up from $80 billion in U.S. paper currency in 1976 to roughly $1.5 trillion today. This makes sense if you consider inflation. But as Dubner notes, “on the other hand, why is there so much cash floating around when we’ve got so many other ways to pay for things?”
He’s right. There’s no shortage of non-cash payment options these days including debit and credit cards, p2p payment services like Venmo, Square Cash and Chime’s Pay Friends, and now Bitcoin. But even with all of these options, we’re a long way from a truly cash-free society.
Until we reach the that point, you’ll need to be prepared for those moments when cash is required (I’m looking at you food trucks). Here are some simple tips to help you keep cash on hand while you still can, without ever paying an ATM fee again.
Go to ATMs within your bank’s network.
The best way to save on fees is to know your bank’s network. Most banks have thousands of in-network ATMs available and with a bit of planning ahead you can always get cash for free at one of these locations. For example, Chime’s ATM Finder helps our members find nearby fee-free ATMs at 24,000+ locations across the U.S. That’s larger than the fee-free ATM networks at Chase, Bank of America, CitiBank, or Wells Fargo.
Use your debit card to get cash back at stores.
Most grocery stores, pharmacies, and even big box stores like Target, Walmart, and Costco allow you to get cash back if you use your debit card at the time of purchase without an extra fee. When you’re shopping at one of these locations, take advantage of the opportunity to get some extra cash. Be sure to confirm there are no fees by asking the clerk and by reviewing the card reader at checkout.
Use your debit card for group expenses in exchange for cash.
We’ve all been in this situation: you’re out for a meal with a group of friends, the check comes and you either have to split the bill between a stack of cards or some people have to pay cash. This is a great opportunity for you to help simplify the group payment process and get some cash. Offer to put the full bill on your card and pocket the cash your friends contributed.
Don’t use cash unless you absolutely must.
It’s a good practice to always carry cash. But that doesn’t mean you always have to use it. In fact, you should treat it like an emergency fund. Instead, use your debit card for everything, even small purchases, so you can keep the cash handy for times when you have no other option. When you do need to dip into your cash, proactively replenish the bills next time you’re able to get more cash with one of the fee-free options above.
There are other reasons to avoid paying with cash. When you pay for all of your expenses with your debit card, you’ll have the added benefit of a transaction history for all of your spending. Even better, if you’re a Chime member enrolled in Automatic Savings, paying with your Chime Visa® Debit Card rather than cash also means more money in your Savings Account. Once you’ve enrolled, each time you use your Chime card to make a purchase, you’ll save automatically. Plus you’ll earn a 10% cash bonus on your weekly round ups every Friday.
Will we ever live in a cashless society? Possibly, but until then these simple steps can help you avoid fees and keep cash on hand when you need it.
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