money

[oldmanfromthemountains]

<P>OK, i am going to try this again, i am interested in learning how everyone handles their money. I am worried about carrying large amounts of cash with me, but at the same time when it costs $50.00 to fill my van up (or more) how do you guys do it?</P>

 

[Guest]

Hi guy...we'll have to meet up one day...I have a son in Bremerton and one of the Vandweller guys...Lauren, lives there...<br><br>I use credit and debit cards excusively. Credit card for gas and the occasional purchase or repairs and the debit for day to day expenses. I can get $100 cash back with the debit card anytime I want from Wallyworld when I buy something and my income checks all go into my checking account. I do all my bills online with bill-pay through my bank.<br><br>My bank is a local bank here in New Mexico so it does not have ATMs anywhere and I don't like paying the extra charges to use any old ATM unless I am out of the country. But the ability to get up to a hundred buckers back works really well for me with no charge.<br><br>&nbsp;I do carry what I think is a prudent reserve of cash hidden in my van for rank emergencies....<br><br>Bri<br><br>

 

[oldmanfromthemountains]

<P><FONT size=4>Ain't that a coincidence!! I lived in Portales, N.M. for 30 some odd years. Where are you?</FONT></P>

 

[vanofgypsies]

Hi ya oldman!&nbsp; We've got some property in Tahuya, so we're right around the corner from you.&nbsp; Gawd it's wet out there right now!!!&nbsp; Hope you are faring well. <br><br>We use a debit account, but we also have some emergency cash stashed in a fake fix a flat can.&nbsp; It's got a secret screw top on it with just enough room to hide a roll of cash in it.&nbsp; <br><br>Take care.<br><br>Carolyn<br><br>

 

[Guest]

Hey Ol' feller....I am 66 too...<img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"> <br>I live in Truth or Consequences. That is our home base....my wife is working and living in the Missoula, MT area and I have two sons in WA, one in Bremerton and one in Pt. Townsend.....<br><br>I call NM home but am on the road all I can afford and until I want to just lay up and hang out. Especially nice to be here during the winter unless I go and boot around in the southwest or Mexico.<br>Bri<br><br><br><br>

 

[oldmanfromthemountains]

WOW, small world. I have shirt tail relatives in Tehuya. They live right on the water, at high tide they have water under their house.<br><br>And T. or C. , wow, i have been there a time or two. I used to go to Elephant Butte lake and do a little fishing from time to time.<br><br>Amazing, can't wait to get on the road and meet some of you guys, and gals.<br>

 

[akphotobob]

I agree with Brian, a debit card solves nearly all you cash handling problems. I bank with Bank Of America because they have branches in so many places. But even if you can't find an ATM without fees, nearly every major retailer will give you cash back. Go to Walmart or your local supermarket, buy something, get $50 bucks back, then buy your gas. Lots of places will give you a discount (usually a nickel per gallon) for paying cash. Works great for me. Bob<br>

 

[exitinn]

<P>Bob , If you get a Walmart gift card and put money on it , pay for your gas with it and get 3 cents a gallon off . You can reload it as often as you like .</P>

 

[vanofgypsies]

The Walmart gift card seems like a good idea.&nbsp; Especially if you're not a fan of banks, like me.&nbsp; At 7-11 yesterday I saw a pre paid Visa you could put money on that probably works the same way.&nbsp; Better than the ol can in the tool box.&nbsp; We only dare stash enough for gas emergencies, but I am soooooo mad at the banks!&nbsp; It pains me to be forced into using them.<br><br>Way small world!!&nbsp; My parents and brother are just outside of Missoula my uncle just moved to Port Townsend a couple months ago!&nbsp; Crazy.&nbsp; Our property is by Tee Lake, just up the hill from Dewatto Bay.&nbsp; Are your friends near there? <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>

 

[Guest]

Funny, My wife is living in the Bitteroot valley in Lolo. I don't know the specifics so much of the surrounding area so don't know of where you all are talking about. I know Pt. Townsend and my ex-wife's place and my son's place and the marina and transit lot where I stay a lot there.<br><br>In Port Angeles I end up visiting Gary Gearloose and Mike and Heidi and that is about all I know....<br><br><br>

 

[Guest]

Exitinn, Doesn't that Walmart card limit you to gas from Walmart? I don't see that many that sell gas in my travels...I would hate to limit myself to that.<br>I find that it is cheap as I can find at truck stops and there are so many amenities there. I think vanofgypsies has a good idea if you don't like banks...the pre-paid visa card...<br><br><br>

 

[oldmanfromthemountains]

<P><FONT size=4>I don't know the specifics, but you can also have your S.S., etc. deposited directly to a prepaid card.</FONT></P>

 

[gadgetMe]

I use a PayPal account, and have their Mastercard debit card...<br><br>The nice thing I like about using the account is, you can check you account anytime online, if you carry a balance&nbsp; they pay you interest on the money in the account, If you have other bank accounts, you can transfer money in and out using your online interface.<br>Putz<br>

<br><br>

 

[akrvbob]

I've heard lots of good things about Paypal, seems like a very good choice.<br><br>We all seem to forget about cash. A very good desert rat friend of mine always tried to have at least $3000 in cash in his rig. He figures the most expensive thing that can happen to him is to need to replace the engine or transmission so he wants that in the rig with him. I agree and have been trying to build a similar emergency stash of cash. It has been very slow going!!<img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"> But, I am making progress. Bob<br><br>

 

[gadgetMe]

I wish folks would get a little more into barter, whenever I engage in it I am more satisfied with the outcome (most of the time)<br><br>The forum may be a good place to generate some interest.<br>One way to conserve cash. and tax free <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br><br>Putz<br><br><br><br>

 

[Guest]

**BE CAREFUL WITH CASH!!**
Go back to the main page of Cheap RV Living and READ "Living in a Ford Festiva" by Ghost dancer. Skip down to "The Money Safe".

I've had the same experience when traveling. Single, clean, attractive female with two little cats, zero criminal record, never used drugs, don't even smoke, not speeding, vehicle in excellent condition, tags and insurance up to date, pulled over for nothing more than an out of state plate (and carrying $2,900 in cash). The entire contents of my truck were scattered all over the highway, my poor cats traumatized and heat sick, standing out in 125 degree heat for over an hour while the Highway patrol refused to believe the money was all I had to my name after closing my bank account to move to another state.

Moral of our stories: MAKE A SHIELDED, HIDDEN COMPARTMENT.

 

[Guest]

P.S. I was not living in my truck. I was simply traveling across country for a job offer.

 

[twokniveskatie]

I use a PayPal account, and have their Mastercard debit card...<br><br>The nice thing I like about using the account is, you can check you account anytime online, if you carry a balance&nbsp; they pay you interest on the money in the account, If you have other bank accounts, you can transfer money in and out using your online interface.<br>Putz<br>

<br><br>

<div><br></div><div>another good thing about paypal is that there is some protection against bad transactions or account hacking. i found out the hard way, when my credit union debit card was hacked, that they don't have to guarantee money lost. i had to jump through alot of hoops but a very kind state trooper helped convince them that i was indeed not buying porn in japan and australia, and to replace the stolen funds. (the bank asked if maybe my maid had used the card without permission. i said if i had a maid, i could afford to fly to japan and purchase my own porn.) &nbsp;ANYhow, i do so love my PP debit card....my son handles the "tribal money" and if he transfers some to me, i can use the card seconds later.....no waiting!</div>

 

[akrvbob]

<table class="nested_invisible_table" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="100%" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td colspan="5" height="100%" valign="top"><span id="post_message_1266844832">I've had the same experience when traveling. Single, clean, attractive female with two little cats, zero criminal record, never used drugs, don't even smoke, not speeding, vehicle in excellent condition, tags and insurance up to date, pulled over for nothing more than an out of state plate (and carrying $2,900 in cash). The entire contents of my truck were scattered all over the highway, my poor cats traumatized and heat sick, standing out in 125 degree heat for over an hour while the Highway patrol refused to believe the money was all I had to my name after closing my bank account to move to another state.<br> <br> Moral of our stories: MAKE A SHIELDED, HIDDEN COMPARTMENT.</span> </td></tr> <tr></tr></tbody></table>

<br><br>I'll be honest with you, I found it pretty hard to believe when Ghost Dancer said that, but here you are saying it happened to you as well. Of course lose or theft is the big fear with cash so hiding it is a great idea. Any idea what works for shielding? Bob <br><br>

 

[blars]

I don't trust debit cards, I use credit cards where you have more legal protection.&nbsp; If you pay off every month, you get a free short-term loan and some cash or airline miles as well.<br>