Switched from cash envelopes to a prepaid card after my wallet got stolen at the grocery store

I was a die hard cash envelope person for like 4 years (my grandma swore by it). Then last Tuesday someone grabbed my purse at the Piggly Wiggly and I lost $340 in cash plus my envelopes. No way to get that money back. A teller at my credit union suggested I try a reloadable prepaid card with fraud protection. I fought it for weeks but finally gave in. Now if it gets stolen I just call and freeze it. Has anyone else made the switch and regretted it? I miss the physical feel of handing over cash.

3 comments

3 Comments

marywilson1mo ago

$340 gone hurts. I still keep a emergency $20 in my shoe just in case.

grays131mo ago

Wait, is it bad that my emergency plan is just hoping someone near me has cash? I mean, I respect the shoe move but I'd probably forget it was there and just buy someone a drink with my card while my $20 sits getting sweaty. Idk, maybe I need to step up my game because last time I was stuck somewhere I had to raid my car's cup holder for old receipts and loose change. Honestly, my emergency stash is just the crumbs in the bottom of my bag and a vague hope that the universe will provide.

ryan_barnes1mo ago

Tuck a $50 behind your phone case too, that's saved me more than once.