Last week I asked my mother to pick up some items from the grocery story for me because it would give me more time to have lunch with her instead of running errands. When I got to her house I realized I didn’t have any cash and said I would pay her later. She said, “That’s okay, I used my debit card, I didn’t feel anything.” Now knowing my mother, I easily translated this to: I went to the store in the ‘hood and paying more didn’t bother me because I used my debit card.

I was surprised she realized how easy it is to emotionally detach from how much we’re actually spending when we use a debit/credit card.

This is true of me as well. Very rarely do I use cash in my day to day purchases, sometimes it doesn’t register that I’ve just spent X amount of money when I’ve used my debit card. I can make purchases without ever having to physically touch money. I have my paycheck direct-deposited, I use my debit card for most purchases, I pay my bills on-line, I transfer money between accounts and even to other people. Spending money doesn’t seem real anymore. I just bought a new computer, if I had to put that same amount of money down on the counter to buy it, it probably would “sting” a little more. I ordered it online and all I had to do is key in a few numbers and wait.

A few times I went into the grocery store with just cash and I found myself thinking if I really needed an item or was there a cheaper alternative. When I use my debit card, shopping is almost an emotionless activity, I do buy a lot more stuff when I use plastic.

A few weeks ago I had $10 cash and I thought I was rich and wanted to get my car washed inside and out. However when I got to the car wash, I was presented with a few choices. I could spend $1.99 (I know, cheap car wash) for a car wash and an additional $1.00 if I vacuumed the inside myself or I could spend $8.00 for full service and have them clean the inside. When it came time to pay the man, with cash in my hand, I just couldn’t get the $8.00 wash, I chickened out and paid him $2.00 and cleaned the inside for $1.00 myself.

I know it’s not a lot of money for a car wash, but when I use cash my purchases are a little more selective and suddenly I don’t need stuff. Do you think using plastic encourages increased spending? Sure, we can only spend what cash we have, but it kind of makes you wonder just why life takes Visa.