Remember when the cashier would ask you "cash or credit" while you were checking out? Me either. The modern urban hip young Millennial on the go has tens of ways to pay for things, and none of them is even close to perfect. Now, I speak with the accrued wisdom of someone who buys a lot of crap (and then writes about it) to tell you: Here's what works and what doesn't.
CASH
Pro: It's accepted everywhere, greenbacks cannot be hacked and pulling out a wad of cash makes you feel like a TOTAL baller.
Con: If someone steals it or you drop it on the Red Line tracks, it is gone forever-you can't go whining to your bank like a credit card user can.
DEBIT CARDS
Pro: They're convenient, accepted nearly everywhere and you're spending your own money rather than going into debt.
Con: If someone steals it or you drop it on the Red Line tracks, you can whine to your bank - but it's your real money that's been stolen, and it could take a while to get back to you. Also, overdraft fees REALLY suck.
CREDIT CARDS
Pro: They're convenient, accepted nearly everywhere and you can get rewards and build up credit like a real grown-up. Plus, if you get hacked or robbed, it's not really your money at stake. Spending what you don't have is a great American tradition
Con: Did someone say "crippling debt spiral?"
PRODUCT-SPECIFIC APPS (Starbucks, Uber, etc)
Pro: They're mega-convenient, you can earn rewards and it's easy to itemize your budget.
Con: Eternal self-hatred after realizing just how much you spent on "f--- it, I'll just get an Uber" nights.
MOBILE PAYMENTS (Google Wallet, Apple Pay, etc)
Pro: Also mega-convenient-everything is on your phone anyway, so why not?
Con: Increases the chokehold that Google and Apple have on your tiny life. Are they counting every breath you take? Would you put it past them?
Megan Crepeau is RedEye's money reporter. She really should use cash more often.