What can start as a low-key evening with friends can easily turn into multiple rounds of $20 cocktails, a rideshare surge price you didn't question, and a late-night meal that costs as much as your grocery bill. The vibes were great, but your bank account is in recovery mode.
Enter: cash-only weekends — a social media trend that shows participants intentionally leaving cards at home and bringing a set amount of dollars to curb overspending. To start, set your budget for the weekend, withdraw your cash on Friday and make that amount last until Monday.
If you want to hop on the trend, here are two banks that can make cash-only spending easy and rewarding.
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Research shows you'll likely spend more when using a card
Your spending habits can differ when you use a card instead of cash.
Fifty-eight percent of people said card payments are most likely to make them spend the most money, according to a survey commissioned by Forbes Advisor and performed by market research firm OnePoll in 2024.
Cash-only weekends can help provide a concrete budget. Telling your friends, "I'm only going to spend $60 tonight," is one thing — but when $60 is all you have in your pocket, you are more tied to that amount.
Additionally, ditching the plastic could save you money elsewhere.
Credit card processing fees can range from 1.5 to 3.5% of the transaction amount, depending on the merchant's location and size, as well as the types of transactions and cards accepted, according to Sofi. That may not sound like much, but swipe fees cost the average family $1,200 in 2024, according to the Merchant Payments Coalition, a group of U.S. retailers and trade associations that advocates for fair payment processing practices.
For example, a 3.5% surcharge on a $75 bar tab could add up to $2.62 — not a big deal once, but if you go out most weekends, that can quietly turn into $100 or more a year. Going cardless lets you skip these extra costs and only pay for what you get.
Best Checking Accounts for Cash-Only Weekends
CNBC Select has previously recommended Capital One 360 Checking and Ally Bank Spending Account as some of the best free checking accounts for their perks like extensive fee-free ATM access and no monthly maintenance fees.
Many of these banks let customers withdraw cash fee-free at MoneyPass and Allpoint ATMs, nationwide networks of surcharge-free ATMs found in grocery stores, convenience stores and retailers.
Capital One 360 Checking®
Monthly maintenance fee
$0
Minimum deposit to open
$0
Minimum balance
None
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
0.10%
Free ATM network
70,000+ Capital One®, MoneyPass and Allpoint® ATMs
ATM fee reimbursement
None
Overdraft fee
$0
Mobile check deposit
Yes
Terms apply.
Capital One 360 Checking® gives you access to hundreds of branches and over 70,000 fee-free ATMs across the nation — one of the largest amounts. However, out-of-network ATMs may charge a fee. You don't need a minimum balance to open an account, and there are no maintenance or overdraft fees.
Ally Bank Spending Account
Monthly maintenance fee
$0
Minimum deposit to open
$0
Minimum balance
None
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
0.10% less than $15,000 minimum daily balance; 0.25% over $15,000 minimum daily balance
Free ATM network
43,000+ Allpoint® ATMs
ATM fee reimbursement
Up to $10 per statement cycle
Overdraft fee
$0
Mobile check deposit
Yes
Terms apply.
Ally Bank's Spending Account offers access to more than 75,000 fee-free Allpoint and MoneyPass ATMs nationwide. It also reimburses up to $10 per statement cycle for fees charged at other ATMs. Additionally, the online-only bank offers competitive interest rates.
What starts as a small practice can grow into healthy money habits, turning into big savings and steady financial growth. Next weekend, hit the ATM instead of bringing your cards along — your wallet (and your Monday self) will thank you.
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