General Discussion

One is on our Euro expense account, and is only used for work-related travel in Europe billed in Euros, Swiss Francs, or a Scandinavian currency.

Then there is a work-related Amex card. I can‘t even remember when the last time I used that was. Then there is my US credit card I only use when I’m here and run low on cash. I hate getting bills, so I have an automatic deduct from some account I maintain in the States. But since I’m rarely here, that’s just for short periods. I try to pay cash for everything I can. Groceries, entertainment, gas, eating out, whatever. A record is kept (probably more like twenty records) of every credit card transaction. I don’t need to map out my every move and preference for some database that will soon be used to harass me, or to sell me something. If I buy ANYTHING with a credit card, I am bombarded with offers to sell me something similar. If I pay cash, at most, I get asked for my zip code. I give them 40878, which in the USA must be in the Midwest somewhere. In Germany, it’s in the Rheinland near Düsseldorf, but they always assume there’s nowhere else on earth than America. Too bad. They ask for my Zip Code, they get it.

Otherwise, I hate using plastic. I can’t remember every transaction when I’m on vacation, and I can’t be bothered to spend an hour every month on the phone with the fraud division going over every time I got my wife a cappuccino at some café in Provincetown, MA. As for political contributions, I never use a credit card, and Act Blue can go shove it. I send checks, period. I do not need to get hit on by every Democratic candidate for dog catcher in North Platte, Nebraska.