I'm a curmudgeon and don't quite know where the money is.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

I have 
Venmo
Zelle
Apple Pay

I don't think I have anything else. 

Two children and my SIL use Venmo. 
One child and my sister use Zelle. 
The fourth child uses Apple Pay. 


Some of them (mostly the 21yo) send me requests. I push buttons. 
I think I send them money. 
Sometimes they send me money, but I don't really know why. 
I don't even know where this money is now residing. 

It seems I have a Venmo balance and an Apple Pay balance. 

Is leaving those balances there going to end the world? 
We're only talking about tens of dollars but I suppose I should figure this out before it gets to be more than that?

[chiver78]

I was listening to some story on the news a few days ago, that these accounts aren't FDIC insured or protected against scams like an actual bank account. so, if you get hacked, it's gone. no consumer protection available. obv that's a different risk with different orders of magnitude on the $. 

I have Zelle (built into a checking account) and PayPal. because I refuse to provide my SSN to PP, they refuse to allow me to keep any money received in that account. I have to transfer it somewhere else as soon as I accept the payment. you might want to look to see if Venmo allows you to automatically direct $ into an actual account. Zelle just puts it in the account, but that may be because it's embedded in the account for me. 

[NoNamePerson]

Jun 4, 2023 9:55:21 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

I was listening to some story on the news a few days ago, that these accounts aren't FDIC insured or protected against scams like an actual bank account. so, if you get hacked, it's gone. no consumer protection available. obv that's a different risk with different orders of magnitude on the $. 

I have Zelle (built into a checking account) and PayPal. because I refuse to provide my SSN to PP, they refuse to allow me to keep any money received in that account. I have to transfer it somewhere else as soon as I accept the payment. you might want to look to see if Venmo allows you to automatically direct $ into an actual account. Zelle just puts it in the account, but that may be because it's embedded in the account for me. 

You beat me to it. I was looking for the link to same story. Saw it the other day  

[busymom]

I don't use any of those accounts either.  I try not to mess with what I don't understand.  Like bitcoin.

[billisonboard]

My stepson, who was an adult over twenty-one and in prison when I first met his mother, is a user. Two of the main things he uses are drugs and his mom. I stay away from all money transfer sites so I can't be pushed to give him money. Not that I would but it is just easiest to remain blissfully ignorant of the how to.

[Tennesseer]

Jun 4, 2023 11:20:52 GMT -5 busymom said:

I don't use any of those accounts either.  I try not to mess with what I don't understand.  Like bitcoin.

I am of the age who doesn't need to learn about things like Venmo, Zelle and bitcoins. I will never need to us it in my remaining years so why bother.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

We have used Venmo on the cruise.  TD went out scuba diving one day and left his credit card in the safe. I went to an artists market with the buddy he was diving with, and she forgot her card.  Money went back and forth both days.  We had brought cash, but this was early in the cruise and transferring a couple hundred $$ (after figuring out what the foreign currency hit our accounts at) was better than using up cash.  

I normally don’t like using it, but I know my sister does it all the time to her daughters.

[saveinla]

Zelle is usually associated to a bank account and if it goes there - no issues.

Venmo can be used everywhere - farmers markets for example, so you can use the balance. If you connect it to a bank account, then you can transfer the money there. If you are sending money via Venmo and have already connected a bank account to send the money, please check.

I dont like associating a bank account to Venmo, so in the rare occasion that I use it I pay the fee for using a credit card.

Apple pay - I have not used it yet, but I know the day is coming .

[billisonboard]

Not an iSheep but do have Samsung Wallet on my phone as a just in case backup. Tested it when I first got a new phone current enough to use it. Haven't used it since.

[minnesotapaintlady]

I love Venmo, and use it quite a bit, but I don't leave money sitting in there (or PayPal). As soon as funds hit my account I transfer them to my checking.

[wvugurl26]

I have to use the virtual phone wallet for event tickets these days. Physical tickets are long gone.

I prefer PayPal to Venmo. I don't leave money sit in either.

[jerseygirl]

Recently rented my timeshare and used Venmo. For deposit I requested immediate transfer to my bank account. There was an associated fee
For the balance I waited 3 days and no fee taken out. Actually it was only 2 days
I’ve used PayPal previously and there was always a fee
So liking the small Venmo delay without a fee
Although might have been the amounts??

[wvugurl26]

I've never encountered PayPal fees as long as I'm not doing an instant transfer and using my checking account and not a credit card.

[jerseygirl]

Jun 4, 2023 17:53:04 GMT -5 wvugurl26 said:

I've never encountered PayPal fees as long as I'm not doing an instant transfer and using my checking account and not a credit card.

Hmmm maybe I’m using a CC for PayPal? Need to check

[Artemis Windsong]

We used Zelle to pay for supplies for work in progress to stucco our house.  Beyond that no others.

[laterbloomer]

With friends I just do etransfer right to our bank accounts. For purchases I use CC. I really hate when the site I insists on Pay Pal. I hate it enough that I won't do the purchase.

[Pink Cashmere]

I use ApplePay, that’s it. I use it wherever I can, instead of swiping or entering my real credit or debit card numbers.

Most people I know, use CashApp to transfer funds between individuals, including my children. DS does also use ApplePay though, so sometimes he is in the middle of money transfers between DD and I because she only has CashApp. I refuse to get CashApp. My yard guy finally gave in and started using ApplePay to make it easier for me to pay him, because I refused to get CashApp and it was a hassle for both of us for me to pay him cash when he cut my grass and I was 30 or 40 minutes away, on the other side of town.

[Deleted]

I need to get Zelle through my bank but I’ve put it off. So many things are Zelle or Venmo only now

[dannylion]

I have PayPal and Apple Pay.  I only use 1 credit card with them so it is easier to keep track of what is happening, and I do not link them to either of my primary checking accounts.  I have a USAA checking account I set up when I was doing medical transcription as a side gig (IIRC, they offered me some sort of incentive to set up a direct transfer with a new checking account, so the free money was another reason).  That account never has more than about 5k in it, so if something goes horribly pear-shaped with the electronic money transfers or some unauthorized person gains access to the account, the loss will be self-limiting. 

I haven't used Zelle or Venmo yet and probably won't as I very seldom need to transfer money to people and if I do, PayPal has been sufficient for electronic transfers and cash and checks still work for face-to-face transfers since I mostly interact with other old people.  Also, I am very stupid and have been known to push the wrong button, so if I were to use those apps, I would very likely screw it up.  

[giramomma]

I have a client that pays me through Zelle. I"m not worried about that.

Dh and the kids do apple pay. I'm like a huge "nope." in that department.

I don't do activities that require me splitting costs with friends.

[chiver78]

Jun 4, 2023 20:01:23 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

With friends I just do etransfer right to our bank accounts. For purchases I use CC. I really hate when the site I insists on Pay Pal. I hate it enough that I won't do the purchase.

I was chatting with my friend in Vancouver about this when we were in FL last month. we don't have that here in the US, sadly. she keeps a PayPal account active to be able to transfer to those of us here when we split hotel rooms and stuff. 

[wvugurl26]

I can't prove it but I'm fairly certain Google Pay got my credit card compromised. I know it's not the real card number and blah blah they claim. My friend talked me into it because there was some sign up bonus. I used it once, never got the bonus and then my card was compromised. No other changes in behavior on my part.

So now Google Pay exists solely on my phone for me to access the wallet for electronic tickets to events.

On the few occasions we've had full office gatherings since COVID and I've had to coordinate lunch, the options to pay me were cash or PayPal. My Venmo is hard to find the correct one and I don't regularly use it. No Cash App here. I feel like one electronic method was good enough. The amount due was known up front in advance so time to get cash.

If we transfer money between friends it's PayPal. The most common is for splitting vacation rentals.

Maybe I'm just old. CashApp and Venmo seem to be for the younger generation.

[resolution]

I am also the cranky old person these days. I have paypal, but have only used it a few times for donations that I want to remain anonymous, mostly things related to gaming or gamers. I don't have venmo, zelle, google pay, or any of those things.

If I am giving a gift to my adult nieces or nephews, I write a check and they can cash it using their banking apps.

My office is constantly asking us to donate for this or that, and if it is that important, they can wait for me to mail them a check. If it's not important enough for them to bother with depositing a check with their bank app, then their cause doesn't need my money.

[minnesotapaintlady]

Jun 5, 2023 8:23:35 GMT -5 resolution said:

I am also the cranky old person these days. I have paypal, but have only used it a few times for donations that I want to remain anonymous, mostly things related to gaming or gamers. I don't have venmo, zelle, google pay, or any of those things.

If I am giving a gift to my adult nieces or nephews, I write a check and they can cash it using their banking apps.

My office is constantly asking us to donate for this or that, and if it is that important, they can wait for me to mail them a check. If it's not important enough for them to bother with depositing a check with their bank app, then their cause doesn't need my money.

Mailing checks definitely earns you curmudgeon status. 

Once scouting is done, I think I'll be able to toss the checkbook as they're really the only ones I use them for these days. The treasurer is also AWFUL about cashing them in a timely manner and they can easily sit outstanding for many months which drives me up the wall.  I'm seriously considering showing up with a pile of cash to pay for summer camp just so it's off my books, but then I'm stuck with no proof that I paid which I don't like either. 

[TheOtherMe]

I have Paypal and /Apple Pay.  Event tickets go in to Apple Pay.  My monthly fee for Apple Music goes through Apple Pay because I have an Apple Card.  

I have used Paypal and, knock on wood, I've never had a problem with it.

For incoming money, unless the person used a CC, I don't pay a fee.  I also don't pay a fee to withdraw it.  I also don't leave a balance in there.  As soon as it's there, I transfer it to a bank account.

[Cookies Galore]

When I'm paid in Venmo I transfer it to my checking account shortly after; husband lets his balance accumulate. Grrr.
That's the only money transfer app I use. I have Google Wallet for event tickets and that's it. My Union season tickets live there.

[minnesotapaintlady]

I have my main credit cards, flight boarding passes, concert tickets, insurance cards, and loyalty cards in Google Wallet.  As long as they have tap to pay I don't need to have my purse with me anymore.  I do think it's safer doing that then swiping a card. 

[laterbloomer]

Jun 5, 2023 6:36:09 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

Jun 4, 2023 20:01:23 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

With friends I just do etransfer right to our bank accounts. For purchases I use CC. I really hate when the site I insists on Pay Pal. I hate it enough that I won't do the purchase.

I was chatting with my friend in Vancouver about this when we were in FL last month. we don't have that here in the US, sadly. she keeps a PayPal account active to be able to transfer to those of us here when we split hotel rooms and stuff. 

You guys are not as up to date as I'd expect and it always surprises me. We have been able to pay at the table in restaurants forever it seems. I was really surprised that I couldn't when I was in LA IN 2020.

[chiver78]

Jun 5, 2023 11:56:09 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

Jun 5, 2023 6:36:09 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

I was chatting with my friend in Vancouver about this when we were in FL last month. we don't have that here in the US, sadly. she keeps a PayPal account active to be able to transfer to those of us here when we split hotel rooms and stuff. 

You guys are not as up to date as I'd expect and it always surprises me. We have been able to pay at the table in restaurants forever it seems. I was really surprised that I couldn't when I was in LA IN 2020.

EU as well, we needed PINs for credit cards when I was working there in the late 2000s. K was horrified the first time someone took her card and walked away with it at a restaurant here. 

[MN-Investor]

Nope.

No Venmo, no Zelle, no Apple Pay, etc.

Of course, with no children, the chance of me needing any of those is slim.

I've gifted nieces and sisters with checks. Or transferred funds from my Fidelity account to theirs.

If I want to donate anonymously, I do that through my Fidelity Donor Advised Fund.