If you depend on ATMs for cash, or plastic for everyday expenses, what do you do when the electricity is non-functioning? Maybe it's because of growing up (and still living in) a hurricane-tornado-tropical storms area, but I always expect to *need* to be able to make purchases even if there is no electricity for several weeks. Thus, I always keep enough cash on hand to function without plastic for a month... but I also keep in mind that light fingers are a reality in life, so that money is [like a stash], well-hidden but easily available should it be needed. Sara - the only way I can see the homeowner's fault in being burglarized is if s/he left the door wide open and the valuables in plain sight! OTOH, I try to look at "plain sight" from the burglar's viewpoint, which means purses/wallets, jewelry in or out of its box, and cash should never ever be left on top of a table or chest; or in the freezer; or in any easily opened drawer (or a locked one if it can be jimmied); or taped behind pictures or tucked into books, especially new-looking ones; and should not be tucked in, on, or under any kind of clothing, food storage container, or cushion/mattress - I've never understood why folks think there is some sort of magical protection in the sock or lingerie drawer, but an amazing number of people *do* keep spare cash with their socks. And I think leaving the door key easily available [under a doormat or flowerpot or hide-key stone] is just the same as leaving the door wide open. I've lived in apartments, and was burglarized once; the thief did not find my jewelry or emergency money although they were within easy reach of anyone who knew where to look.

Although I know the staff often has to wait for the cardco to pay, I often put the tip on the charge and I usually round off so the bill is an even dollar amount or at least on a half dollar. For instance if the bill was $10.50, I'd put $1.50 tip and make it $12 or $2 and $12.50 (or there's the rare time when it was so outstanding it warranted more) and that way it makes it easier as I skim the charge statement. I knew I was there and the amount looks right. I don't like to carry a lot of cash plus I get a cashback bonus on my CCs. I've often left a cash tip and just put a cancelled zero in the tip line. I wouldn't put a note that it was cash or whatever. If the service was horrible, they don't get a tip, or they get the penny tip. It's seldom that happens, but has. Keeping coins or adding to an executed charge statement is a theft. Will the police like to prosecute a 22¢ theft? No, but they should be called anyway. I wouldn't be above embarrassing the daylights out of a petty thief and a manager who won't take action on it. Not going back, if you like the place and food is cutting off your nose to spite your face. Stand up for yourself. I remember years ago a pancake house chain would add a tip automatically to the bill. I never liked that but I knew about it. If the service wasn't good, we'd REALLY make noise about it and would be expecting everything to be perfect if they expect to set the tip. If it's a chain policy that you think is shady, contact your attorney general and make a complaint. They do prosecute places that scam. "Bullying the manager about a corporate wide policy? Good luck with that." I do have to agree with that. Our store policy was The customer is NOT always right! That said, if it's a legitimate dealing, that's one thing, but if it's a theft, that's different. You need to have your facts in order before making accusations, or go in and ask questions. But as a former manager and one who tended the customers and tills too, I can say that bullying only makes the bully look like an idiot. So just a word of caution.

You're right, it is an authorization Cynic, however, the store where I worked had the funds in its account three days after the sale date. Actually, how it works is the funds are deposited into a credit account with the fuel distributor. Say we sold $100 in gasoline on Monday. On Thursday that money would be deposited directly into the store's account with the vendor who supplied the fuel. If we had $200 in fuel delivered on Friday we would then owe the vendor $100. Techinically I suppose you could say the business didn't directly get first $100, however, if a store is selling very much fuel they are constantly getting deliveries. We had three or four deliveries a week so really the business was getting its payments rather quickly. Perhaps for a small store, where fuel sales are slower, getting payment for credit/debit purchases might be a problem but that wasn't the case for us. Of course, non-branded stores obviously have different arrangements. If there's no big fuel company sign out front then they probably have to pay for their fuel upon delivery. When we went pre-pay it was very difficult on our clerks as it was a small town and the "regulars" were very upset. Fact is we'd had dozens of drive offs to the tune of about $150 a day. The owners blamed the clerks for not paying attention but really, it wasn't the clerks' fault. It's virtually impossible for one clerk to keep an eye on 7 pumps all the while waiting on impatient customers. What the regulars failed to see was that "they" were the ones doing the drive-offs. Eventually everyone settled down but those first few weeks were brutal. And just a note to everyone, please treat convenience store clerks decently. The price of gas is not their fault. They have families. They have problems. And they probably aren't being paid anywhere close to a living wage. Cut them some slack. Most of them are probably stuck in a job they hate working for ungrateful employers. Be kind.

" I had to Google 'check register.' I've never seen such a thig " floral, there are many different styles of check pads. The one with a stub is only one approach and offered no fewer steps than writing the check and carrying forward a balance on a check register. A bit over 35 years ago, I lived in Western Europe (on the Continent, not in the UK) and had a Eurocheque account. The materials the bank gave me included pads of tear-off checks and a check register to keep in the small wallet-sized check folder. Different ways of doing the same thing. If writing down a check amount and manually doing math to adjust the balance, no one way is easier than another.