I don't like to carry a lot of cash. I hope to start doing some traveling this coming summer (as will be retireing for good I hope). Have looked at many article's, but have not seen anything on money, what I'm looking for is what does one do for getting cash while on the road. I know I can go to a base and cash a check, and I'm not sure if VFW still does or not.
Wal-Mart does the think if you want cash back, but belive they have a high price for that. If you dont want to repond on this forum I understand. so will include my e-mail address This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Thanks in advcance.

Open a bank account and get a debit card. You can get cash at most any ATM nationwide if you don't want to cash a check on base, or are not near a base.

We did a cross-country trip last year and left with $100 cash - we pay with debit or credit (fuel) cards ... we returned with $80 cash - nowadays, you almost have to explain what cash is to some vendors, as "the cards" do it all.

We do leave home with some cash but mainly rely on ATM card and credit cards. Our bank does reimburses us for out of network ATM use and we pay all credit card bills on line. I'm not fond of debit cards (personal preference) so really don't use one.

We also leave home with a small amount of cash for fun and games once we get to a military installation or private campgound. Our money lifestyle is the same when we travel as at our home in Florida. We use a USAA cash back Master Card for all purchases and have the full amount deducted from our BOA check book each month. To simplfy everything all income from any source is deposited automatically in the check book and all types of monthly payments such as phone, electric, TV services, computer wireless, mortgage, rv payment etc. are paid automatically from the check book. We do not pay anything over the internet or do any financial transactions on-line as it is all done automatically and we go on-line each day and review the checking account and USAA accounts. We have everything set up paperless and do not get cancelled checks either as no need to get them back if you can see everything on-line securely. This is what works for us and have been doing this for the 12 years. We RV about 7 months out of the year but usually in 2 week to 2 month trips. If we find we need cash we just go into a BOA and take it out of the checking account, we are not Debit card users either. We also have a Walmart money card we use for fuel in the car as their prices appear to be the best in most states. We have a couple of 5 gallon diesel containers stored in the RV and we fill them up at the best diesel priced pumps in the area we are in if we do not need too much fuel, again Walmart has good diesel prices compared to the big name truck stops. We are fortunate to have a Hess about 10 miles from our house and they have 4 lines our diesel pusher can get into and then we will fill up before we go home ready for the next trip. We hold 150 gallons so can go a long way before we need fuel. You will find what works for you and these are just some options you can think about. Good luck with your upcoming retirement and hope you enjoy RVing as much as we have.

USAA is the way to go.

Unlike the last poster, we do use the debit card for getting cash. The beauty of it is you can go to any ATM and get cash and USAA will refund the ATM fee - so it is free (up to 10 per month) no need to find an ATM from your bank or worry about the fee.

Most, if not all ATM cards are part of a network. Usually cards used within a given network incur no charges when used. If you have (or plan to get) an ATM card, just check the issuing financial institution’s web site (bank, credit union, whatever) and look for something like “Service Center and ATM Locator”. Entering the zip code for where you are located (or plan to be) and the site will display ATM’s where your card will be accepted without incurring a user fee. We have used our ATM/Debit card for years without any fees.

John

I also use one credit card for 90% of my purchases (like the rewards) and a debit card for 9% of my purchases. Even if the purchase is $5, I'll use a credit card. I carry and spend less than $40 a month in cash. All my banking is done on-line. I pay my credit card completely off each month, so there's no finance charges. I only write 2 or 3 checks a year, which is usually for a campground that doesn't accept credit or debit cards.

BTW - Walmart DOES NOT charge to get cash back when making a purchase using a debit card. Same for many grocery stores.

Like you Larry I use cards and online to pay bills. Even though I have my debit card, my bank gives money back if I use it as a credit card. Never do I buy anything with debit. Also have a credit card that pays back money, use it when on the road and pay off at end of month. Works well. Needing cash go to ATM.

Like Larry traveled all over US and Canada with very little cash. Debit and credit card and online banking. Cash back at all big stores when needed.

Your message is a very complete overview of money management while on the road and this is very valuable for folks who are trying to figure out how to continue doing the things that need to be done when full-timing.

larryf wrote:


Not sure which credit card you use, but we also put almost everything on one credit card for the rewards, in this case - "cash back". We use the Pentagon Federal VISA card which gives us 5% back on fuel purchases and 1.25% on everything else and occasionally 2% on selected things like airline tickets. Used to use the USAA card, but learned of the PENFED card on this forum and haven't looked back. We routinely get $8-900 per year back in rebates from them.

For cash, I still use the USAA debit card which gives you up to 10 free ATM withdrawals per month at ANY ATM. (Daughter used it for 5 months in Ecuador with no problems and no additional fees). Also use USAA for all banking online with features such as the ability to use a camera phone to deposit checks.

I find this combination makes us pretty self-sufficient on the road 6 mos./year.

cdrcos wrote:


Need to update the info on the Pentagon Federal Credit Union VISA card: effective 2/1/2012, they will continue to pay a 5% rebate on fuel purchases made at the pump, BUT the are dropping their 1% rebate on everything else to .25%.

Therefore, we will continue to use if for fuel purchases, but revert to our USAA credit card for everything else. And still the USAA debit card for FREE ATM withdrawals.