When David and I were just getting started in life, things looked a whole lot different than they do today. When Charlie was just a year old I was just beginning my business, learning as I went, and every dollar mattered. Bills came through the mail, receipts ended up tucked into envelopes or kitchen drawers, and if someone owed you money, you either waited for a check to arrive or met them somewhere in town to collect it. There wasn’t an app for everything, and honestly, I don’t remember feeling like I was constantly tempted to spend money I didn’t have.
Fast forward to today, and just about everything we do is done on a phone from paying bills, shopping online, sending money to family, ordering groceries, and even donating to charities without ever leaving the couch. In many ways it’s made life easier, but I also think it’s made spending money a little too easy.
When it’s only a tap away, it’s easy to forget you’re spending real dollars, especially when credit cards are connected to your account if you use them which David and I don’t use. If we don’t have cash to pay for the things we want or I don’t have money in my paypal account we do without.
That’s one of the reasons our family still prefers using cash whenever we can. We like seeing where our money goes, and it’s easier for us to stick to our budget when we’re physically handing over cash. Of course, there are times when cash just isn’t practical. That’s where PayPal has continued to earn a place in our lives.
I’ve tried several payment apps over the years, and while it seems like everyone I know reaches for Cash App these days, I still find myself using PayPal . Part of that is simply because I’ve been using it for years. It’s familiar, it’s worked well for me, and I’ve never felt the need to switch completely just because something newer became popular.
One of the things I appreciate most about PayPal is how well it works for online shopping. Since I do most of payments related to my blog and for lunches with my friend, I like having one place where I can keep track of purchases and payments. Everything feels organized, and if I ever need to look back at a transaction, it’s usually easy to find.
That doesn’t mean Cash App is a bad service. I understand why so many people like it. It’s quick, simple, and works well when you’re sending money to friends or family. Charlie’s generation seems much more comfortable using apps like that than mine ever was. They grew up with smartphones, while I grew up balancing a checkbook.
For me, though, choosing between PayPal and Cash App has never really been about which one is better. It’s about which one fits the way I manage my money. I like having records of my purchases, I like the familiarity of a service I’ve trusted for years, and I don’t feel the need to change simply because everyone else has.
Technology will continue to change, and I’m sure there will be another payment app that becomes the next big thing. But sometimes the tools we’ve trusted for years are still the ones that work best for us. Or at least for someone like me who isn’t up to date on apps.
So while everyone around me may be using Cash App, I’ll probably continue reaching for PayPal. It works for the way I handle finances, and it fits my needs, and after all these years, it’s become part of our routine. Sometimes sticking with what you know isn’t being old-fashioned at all. Sometimes it’s simply making the choice that works best for your family.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
