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Is there a Google Wallet replacement? (lemmy.zip)
submitted 2 months ago by to c/degoogle@lemmy.ml
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Hey, I am kinda new to degoogling and I was wondering if there is an alternative to Google wallet with NFC payment. I dont want to use samsungs or apples too. Thanks

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[–] 6 points 2 months ago (9 children)

Dude I'm probably an outlier here, but I closed several accounts (credit cards) and primarily use my debit and cash only.

Why? What's the point of all this available credit? For a made up scoring system that I don't really use? But all those companies get to monetize my usage and data yet keep higher interest rates to double dip. My credit isn't perfect but it'd only need it for a car loan or home and I have an older reliable car and a home so I'm good.

Anyway, I digress. I bought a couple AmEx and MC gift cards for online usage if I need. I don't do Amazon, Temu, etc. It's really no different. I don't use NFC payments, never have so can't help you there. I guess my point to commenting is it's easy to live without all these supposed conveniences. Just because it exists doesn't mean you have to use it.

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  • [–] 12 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (3 children)

    If you pay off your balance every month, there is no interest accrual. For my wife and I, we put pretty much everything in one card, pay it off, then use those point to fly for free on vacations. It's saved is thousands of dollars on travel that we'd still have gone on, but had to pay for. I have a buddy that plays the system and maximizes points and other CC perks, but that's more work than I'm willing to put into it.

    I also understand not wanting to use CCs, so no judgement here, just responding to your, "why".

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  • [–] 3 points 2 months ago (2 children)

    The downsize here: every local business now has started charging 3% fees for card use vs cash. They don't want to take the hit, which I get, but it'd annoying as it cancels a lot of benefits.

    We used to put every monthly utility bill or expense in CC too, for that reason you mentioned. Rack up rewards. But again, the utility companies have caught on and charge fees if it's not ACH.. It's just not worth it anymore.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    It's not that they caught on, they used to be barred from charging that fee to customers by the payment processors. At some point in the last few years something changed (a court case I think?) which allows them to pass that on to the customer at the point of sale, so now many low margin places do.

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  • [–] 2 points 2 months ago

    Not sure if this is still the case, but I see some do the reverse to get around the "no extra fees for using a CC" rule: instead of adding fees when using a CC, they set the prices higher by that fee all the time but then offer a discount for cash or debit payments.

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  • [–] 2 points 2 months ago

    Not saying you should use a credit card, but I haven't seen this point made so I'm going to bring it up.

    Everything is more expensive because of credit cards. That 2% cash back doesn't come from nowhere, and it isn't (only) sourced from people paying interest on their payments. Every transaction at a store that accepts credit cards is 2-5% more expensive simply because that store accepts credit cards. The credit card company charges a transaction fee when it is used, and the store isn't going to change the price of something based on your payment method. So everyone pays the 2-5% markup.

    This is why I personally have credit cards and also why I would support getting rid of them.

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  • [–] 2 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    Never use cash/debit.

    1. If a machine is compromised and your data gets stolen you will never see your money back. Banks/cops do not give a shit. CC company on the other hand? They jump at the opportunity to reverse payments

    2. How do you expect to build credit?

    3. Many things you simply cannot do without a CC. Book a hotel. Rent a car.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 months ago

    I didn't say I don't have any CCs. I've gotten rid of a lot of cards, sure. I don't need to "build credit" if I'm not using credit. We're all taught to chase this magical number for benefits, but who does it actually benefit? I could care less if I'm 750 or 450, I'm not playing into their system anymore.

    It's taken work, but I've changed spending habits to be more reliant on what I have now and cash save vs "buy now pay later" mentality. What good is a sale if you pay interest on your cards? Sure, pay off right away is great but not everyone can afford to do that, and it can build bad habits. I get there are perks, but I commented elsewhere now businesses charge 3%fees for CC usage, so it's a wash.

    I can book a hotel just fine or rent a car with a debit card, too. Sometimes they might put a hold, and if it's an absurd amount, I just use a CC in that instance. But you don't need a high limit or good credit or anything for reservations.

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