How do you pay for your groceries?

[ken1706]

At the supermarket today I was behind a lady at the check-out counter who paid for her groceries with a paper check. That had me wondering how many people still use checks at the grocery stores. A debit card sure seems easier. The only benefit I can see of using checks is that you have your checkbook to record the debit.

So I thought this poll would be interesting. How do you usually pay for your groceries?

Update 3/20/2010: I thought it would be interesting to summarize the reasons given in this thread for the payment choices. If you haven't mentioned your reason for your payment choice, please leave a comment. I'll update the summary as more comments come in.

* credit card - cash back rewards (7)
* credit card - safety and convenience (2)

* debit card - qualify for high yield from reward checking account (1)
* debit card - don't like to pay large bill to cc company at end of month (1)
* debit card - easier than cash or check (1)

* cash - small purchases (2)
* cash - small grocery store not classified as a supermarket so cc cash back is too small (1)
* cash - small grocery store doesn't take plastic (1)
* cash - habit over the years (1)

* check - small grocery store doesn't take plastic (1)

[securedcc]

I use a credit card & a debit card, but mostly uses a debit.

[Caoineag]

Usually cash because most stops are small but the stock up runs I use the credit card to get the cash back.

[Ima saver]

I use cash only!

[jIM_Ohio]

credit card... 1% of all purchases pays down my mortgage balance...

[MonkeyMama]

credit card - 3% cash back

I only carry plastic for shopping.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Yep-- credit card for the percentage rebate. It was hard at first making myself use the credit card for groceries. I had to break out of some reactionary negative thinking about CC's.

If and when CC rebates are no longer offered, I'll probably go back to cash on most purchases that I do not need buyer's protection on.

I recently read that in the US most card transactions now are on debit, not credit.

[ptmoney]

I'm about to sign up for a credit card that will give me cash rewards for groceries and gas. But I've traditionally used a debit card. I remember I used to use a check back in the day and write it for over the amount to get cash back.

[disneysteve]

If and when CC rebates are no longer offered, I'll probably go back to cash on most purchases that I do not need buyer's protection on.

Even then, I'd use a CC for the safety and convenience and tracking purposes. Cash has no advantage. CC has lots, even without rewards.

[feh]

This is one of the few checks we write each month. Not because we want to, but because our primary grocery store doesn't take plastic.

[creditcardfree]

Debit card. I record all transactions once I get home.

[disneysteve]

our primary grocery store doesn't take plastic.

Wow. Is this a chain or just a little mom and pop store? Do you live somewhere rural?

[GREENBACK]

Credit card unless I'm making a real small purchase. I haven't written a paper check at a store in several years.

[wnlbutterfly]

I quit writing paper checks when they started handing it back to you. That is just a waste of time and money (money for the printed checks, and time I spent standing there writing it out).

[Thrif-t]

I quit writing paper checks when they started handing it back to you. That is just a waste of time and money (money for the printed checks, and time I spent standing there writing it out).

Me too. I use my credit card cause i get 5% back on groceries. Same deal on my gas and pharmacy purchases.