One gap that exists between my parents and myself, however, is that of financial security online. I do not have a problem storing my credit card information on dozens of websites. I buy from Amazon, NewEgg, Woot, iTunes, Steam and Blizzard enough that it is just common sense to let them keep my credit card while I buy, buy, buy.
Lately, however, I have become less comfortable giving my financial information out so easily. This applies not to only online retailers, but brick-and-mortar stores as well. This is how I think about it: every time I swipe my credit card, a little number is blasted around a huge network that supports financial transactions across the world. From mom-and-pop stores to hundreds of restaurants to gas stations everywhere to big-box stores and back to online retailers, a little sixteen-digit number that identifies all my important financial information is floating around somewhere at any given time of the day.
To be short, I am saying hello to the ATM more often than not. No longer will I hand out my credit card so easily. First, cash is a lot easier to deal with sometimes and it help keep my spending in check. Second, I am not completely shut-off from the online world by going cash-only: iTunes, Amazon, and a few other major retailers sell gift cards in any major big-box store, so I can now make my bank my sole access point of money.
Will this be a permanent change for me? I am not sure, but there is something ridiculously comforting in taking control of my financial situation like this.
B3 out.
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