One of the things I miss a lot about the olden days is cash. You know, those pale green paper slips that had value. I was attracted to them from a young age. I remember my dad used to iron his dollar bills. Yep, after getting the creases out of his white Sunday dress shirt, he’d place a stack of crinkled ones, fives, tens, twenties, even fifties on the ironing board and get them straight. I thought that was so cool. And I remember sitting in the pews at church, seeing my dad place some cash in the sparkling gold offering plate. I’d see him hand cash to whatever cashiers were in front of us at the time: when we’d buy groceries or a sandwich or whatever. But my favorite thing was when the cash was funneled my way. This became increasingly common as I got older. It would happen after mowing the neighbor’s lawn or completing chores around the house. My dad funded my undergraduate endeavors, which included buying gas and Chick-fil-A sandwiches for lunch. All I had to do was ask and he’d hand me a 20 or a few 10s. I felt empowered. Capable. Loaded. 

Cash is indeed power. Giving cash to something signifies it has value. It shows appreciation. It can say I admire you. I support you. Thank you. Cash is a tool, an asset. It can be a gift. Something that puzzles me is when people ask if it’s appropriate to give cash for X situation. Uhh, why not? I would never, in a million years and no matter my net worth, feel insulted if someone gifted me cash. As my friends have gotten married over the years, my husband and I have always gifted cash. Let’s be honest – isn’t that what everyone wants? By cash I mean physical, tangible bills. Without a need to go to the bank. Stick a couple hundreds in a card and envelope and hand deliver it in secret. Cha-ching. Happy newlyweds. They are equipped to buy whatever they want. Never has cash been returned.

As a woman now in my mid-30s, one of my favorite things in life is cash. I love when my husband comes home and tells me, “Here,” with an outstretched hand, holding some green rectangular papers. $50 or $100. “It’s good to have some cash,” he says. I dream of all the things I can do: buy a necklace, get a manicure,  get a cup of coffee. It’s also fun to tip generously – in cash. 

Cash also hurts. Because it’s a physical object, you can see when it comes and goes. You can feel the cost of something. I remember when I was about 10-years-old “leasing” a horse for a week. I handed the lady at the stalls a $100 bill – that represented my grass cutting labors and lots of sweat. But being able to ride that horse anytime was worth it.

Earlier this week, I didn’t have much cash. I needed seven bucks to get into the state park where me and my dog could hike. I found four one dollar bills in my fanny pack. I went to the Mason jar on my nightstand and poured it out. Sweet! Sacagawea coins and state quarters aplenty to get me over the top. I proudly handed my treasure to the gatekeeper at the entrance. She was intrigued by the coins. Thanks, Sacagawea. 

Cash means I’m serious. My brother went to the dealership to buy a used car some 15ish years ago. His consumer competitor told the salesman, “I have to run to the bank and get a loan / financing.” My brother said, “I have $17,000 cash right now.” My brother drove away with the car right then and there. 

As wonderful as cash is, it has its limitations. It can’t buy some things, as the old adage goes.  A loaded wallet is worthless if  you’re on your deathbed. Maybe it can prolong death but it can’t buy you out of it. It can’t buy love. True love. I think if you play it right, you can buy some degree of happiness–if guns or dogs or shoes or flowers, etc. make you happy. I’m fortunate to work a job that has a nice salary. I’ve used the salary to buy time — since I can make more money in less time, I work less.

As I ponder the wonders of cash and as I journey through life, I remember vividly what my old pastor used to say: “Blessings are to flow through you and not to you.” So I try to keep a posture of open hands. Money is just a tool. It should not be chased or worshiped — this will result in extreme dissatisfaction because it will have become an idol. It should be managed and hopefully shared – ideally in the form of perfectly flat sheets of paper tucked into a “Thank you” or “Congratulations” or “Happy Birthday” card. A square plastic card with a gold chip in it or even a plain old check could never compete. ~