It seems like everywhere you go, it’s a tip shakedown.

Picking up your food at a restaurant used to be a safe bet if you wanted to avoid tipping, but not anymore. Now it’s almost a given that you get prompted for that 18% (‘suggested tip’) despite driving there on your own time and dime!

“Well, I don’t have to worry about tipping because we make all our meals at home!”

Not so fast!

The cup of tip culture hath runneth over, spilling into all areas of service. No longer reserved for pizza delivery and hairstylists, now you can be asked to tip when you buy from a retailer (like your favorite pet store), work with a personal trainer or plumber (and other trades), and even at self-checkout kiosks.

Many of us are experiencing tip fatigue.

If you tip 20% for every product and service you buy, you may as well consider it a new tax on life.

You might think: “I don’t mind tipping for service well done, but is there any way I can combat tipflation?”

Yes, and it couldn’t be more simple.

Pay in cash.

Period. When you pay in cash, you don’t get an annoying on-screen prompt to select a tip percentage option.

Remember that pet store? If you pay in cash, your cashier will probably take your $20 and give you back every penny of change. It’s very unlikely they’ll have the gall to ask you for a tip outright.

You also get more control over who gets your tip. When you pay a tip in cash, it’s more likely the server will get to keep it instead of butt heads with the greedy manager at the end of the night or split it with less friendly colleagues.

Cash is still king, and at the end of the day, you need to keep more of it in your pocket.

If you wonder how you can start keeping more of your money, let me help. Give my office a call at 330 836 7800 or >>set up a time on my calendar<< for a 15-minute financial review!