Non Sequitur by Wiley Miller for July 14, 2024

They had checkbooks and credit cards first.

Sorry to say, yesterday will be a day in history.

Cash itself seems to be on its way to obsolescence. A notice at my son’s dentist said it doesn’t accept cash- Visa/MC credit or debit only.

“We can even get a McMastadon Happy Meal!”

I go to the bank (credit union, actually) and withdraw $40, mostly in $5 notes. It usually lasts me about two months. The rest of my purchases are on my credit card — which I pay in full upon receipt of the monthly statement. Doing that I earn 2.0% cash rebate on purchases, which adds up during the year. Paying in full is vital; if you carry a balance on your credit card account, then forget it.

And then the ATM ate their card.

I was wondering why cavemen was talking about bank and cash. Then we found out about history’s editor in chief

Why is it called an ATM Machine? That’s redundant! That’s saying Automatic Teller Machine Machine. It should just be an AT Machine.

Perhaps these two can make, um, an adult film?

“ATM machines” are brought to you courtesy of the Department of Redundancy Department.

I remember when ATMs were new, and a co-worker asked “You mean money actually comes out of it?”

We try to pay cash for anything $20-$25 and use card for all else. Has helped keep monthly statement within bounds. But nowadays that limit buys less and less, so the card is used more often. Hate that, but this kind of price/product coercion has become more blatant in recent years and there is no alternative.

I had a coworker who was trying to limit her spending (1990s) so she would only get $20 from the ATM at a time – plus a $3 charge.

Cash? I’vwe had the same ten dollar bill in my purse for the last five years.

Didn’t anyone notice, this is a repeat, from 2010?

The best thing about ATMs is not having to get to the bank by 3 and write a withdrawal slip.

ATM stands for “Automatic Teller Machine.” So saying “ATM Machine” is redundant

Money implies poverty.

—The Culture, apocryphal aphorism

I have cash in my wallet that has been there for ten years. No checks or stamps either. My wife handles that.

The credit card issuers love us for it. That 2.5-3% they get for each purchase is wonderful. Not to mention the interest paid by people who can’t pay the entire bill off. I know at least one restaurant which adds 3% for credit card use.

I have been reading about the history of early computers. I would love to see a vacuum tube and relay logic ATM.

I saw the ATM coming, just didn’t know Danae was gonna deliver it.

hmm, sounds familiar…

Making the world more expensive since 1967

Would that be the ATM machine where you enter your PIN number?

I love it when people say “ATM Machine”. That is an Automatic Teller Machine Machine. Tomorrow we are discussing VIN Numbers…this service is provided by the Department of Redundancy Dept.

Saying “ATM MACHINE” is actually saying “Automatic Teller Machine Machine”.

ATM Machine? Is that like a VIN Number or a VAB Building?

Automated Teller Machine machine?

more like “invent it”

ATMs are now 50 years old.

In the first half of my military career (mid 70’s thru the mid 80’s) I did shift work and the ATM was a life saver. Bank hours never seemed to line up with my work hours and the only other quick access for cash back then was writing a check at the BX or the NCO Club. Unfortunately, the exchange also had bank like hours and the Club wasn’t available to me until I finally made NCO status.

Another marvel of (then) modern technology was direct deposit. I don’t know how long the Air Force was capable of doing that before I found out but it was a huge life saver when you did a lot of TDYs (temporary duty). After my first long TDY, where I had to borrow money toward the end, I was told about direct deposit and signed up as soon as I got back - right after I cashed the pay check waiting for me at the post office and paid everyone back.

What a dream!! ICK!

I read that several retailers, including Target, are no longer accepting personal checks

Now it all makes sense. We’ve been crazy all along!

I was wondering why they spoke English so well.

I am sorry we had a blackout since Monday the lights came back this noon time. I will see what I can do story wise.

At Boeing we had the Cadcam Integrated Information Network —CIIN.

Everyone referred to it as the CIIN Network.

I think it’s more SUBediting going on here ..

Really, and you need cash why exactly??? Most of the large venues these days are switching to a cashless environment. AT&T Stadium, phones and credit cards only !

Shall we all file for bankruptcy and become famous?