Hardly go to ATM in states because no reason to go out unless you like bingo. Many more reasons to spend money in Thailand ... and I think they designed it that way.

5 minutes ago, HLover said:

How much do you tip, since your from America?

Depends on skill and listening to my suggestions for leg stretches, deep calf massage; so 50b to 100b. When I find a good one I stick with her and tip the 100b, with 500b for a birthday. In the states standard tip would be $20. If I got a 90-minute oil for 450b I would tip 150. But I've met a few I wanted to give my wallet, my car, and my dog. :)

It's just you.  Deal with it.  The cost if living is cheaper here than at the places mist if us cak home.  Or, did I just feed a troll.?

I’m still living in the U.S. but whenever I go to Thailand with my wife we go to the ATM a lot but when you look at the overall spending, it’s nothing compared to what we spend here in the SF Bay Area. It is crazy expensive here. Stuff in Thailand feels like it’s free compared to here. We spend way more here but never go to the ATM because you can buy everything with a credit or debit card, which also makes you overspend more. It’s the same idea behind chips in a casino, I will throw down a plastic chip with a $100 on it but I would never throw a $100 bill down on a bet.

16 hours ago, Ahab said:

Debit cards (that draw the money directly from your checking account) are different than credit cards and don't charge the fees associated with credit cards (3.5% I think).

 

Read the article.

I withdraw 10000 at a time and 50% goes to my Mrs to cover future rent, rent, education and insurance. Utility bills I pay and shopping, petrol etc

 

but I don't really see it as spending as a lot of what I give my Mrs is saved for specific stuff.

 

Rent for example is saved for the next two months and we are halfway into paying the 3rd month. Education for the lad is being saved 2 years in advance of starting school but hopefully by then we will have purchased a house so the rent funds we pay now will be available for his education fund.

 

My Mrs has a book with records of everything. I do find it difficult to purchase stuff these days that we do not need.

 

Got a 9 year old Honda click but I cannot justify a new bike in my head as it's working fine.

On ‎3‎/‎24‎/‎2018 at 11:50 AM, smotherb said:

Read the article.

Read the article, still able to use my debit card wherever I need to use it. 

1 hour ago, Ahab said:

Read the article, still able to use my debit card wherever I need to use it. 

Agreed. I live in the New Orleans area, but my work takes me all over the U.S., often in very remote places. I havent encountered a merchant who wouldn’t take my card since probably the early 2000s. Occasionally, I will come across a family-owned store who requires a $5 or larger purchase to use the card, but even that is rare these days. Even the merchants at the farmers markets I frequent take the card.

 

The article is simply inaccurate.

4 hours ago, Ahab said:

Read the article, still able to use my debit card wherever I need to use it. 

Ah, now I understand. Instead of, " Everything in the USA can be bought with a debit card down to a single pack of gum in a 7-11." You meant to say, everything YOU NEED in the USA can be bought with a debit card down to a single pack of gum in a 7-11.

On ‎3‎/‎22‎/‎2018 at 11:28 AM, Once Bitten said:

I seem to be constantly at an ATM taking out some cash and the more I've thought about that fact the more it seems true.

It might be that you are just experiencing life passing by at an ever increasing speed.

When I was at school, holidays took forever to arrive, but now it's like the time is vanishing in front of my eyes and the ending is nearly here.

On 3/26/2018 at 6:29 AM, carnifex said:

Agreed. I live in the New Orleans area, but my work takes me all over the U.S., often in very remote places. I havent encountered a merchant who wouldn’t take my card since probably the early 2000s. Occasionally, I will come across a family-owned store who requires a $5 or larger purchase to use the card, but even that is rare these days. Even the merchants at the farmers markets I frequent take the card.

 

The article is simply inaccurate.

Touch and go payment systems are the norm now in the UK. Even for small businesses via phone apps. 

So it appears it is not just me that has zero problems using my debit card everywhere I need in the USA.