Cash Resupply On Trail
I'm still in the dreaming phase for a possible 2014 Thru and I was just wondering how folks resupply their cash while on trail?
Thanks
Get cash back on my debit card while I am in the grocery store getting my resupply. Saves ATM fees.
maybe not the smartest idea, but we mailed ourselves cash, but then again we did maildrops and most people dont do those.
I think what BIGCRANKY said is the most common. I have only done long sections so far and plan a 2014 thru also. Most hostals that required cash are willing to take you to get it. I usualy have a little cash. Usualy leave my change as part of a tip in the last place I eat or stay.
If it do'nt eat you or kill you it makes you stronger
'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton
Ditto. The only time I ran into a problem with this was at the Price Chopper in Great Barrington, Mass. They charged a fee for cash-back, which is a pretty outrageous policy.Originally Posted by bigcranky
"Hahk your own hahk." - Ron Haven
"The world is a book, of which those who do not travel read only a page." - St. Augustine
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I got a separate debit card just for my thru and had family transfer a small amount onto it each month. I used it for groceries, motel stays, and the post office. If the card had been lost or stolen, or became a victim of identity theft (none of which happened, btw), I would only lose a small amount of money and it wouldn't be a hike-stopper.
Big Cranky - Yo da Man!
Dogs are excellent judges of character, this fact goes a long way toward explaining why some people don't like being around them.
Woo
Cash, debit card, and credit card. I used the debit card quite a bit.
I mailed myself 40-80$ in travelers checks to various towns along the way. that way Id have enough for a good meal or two and resupply and laundry and the towns I knew I wanted a zero, enough for a hostel or hotel.
no credit cards or mail drops made it a lot cheaper, but that was the 1st hike, later hikes I used cards and that was wasteful because I knew I ddnt have to pay it till later. dangerous
Yep, Bigcranky beat me to it-get cash back in the grocery store-lots of headaches go away (like finding an atm and their bs high fees).
"I told my Ma's and Pa's I was coming to them mountains and they acted as if they was gutshot. Ma, I sez's, them mountains is the marrow of the world and by God, I was right". Del Gue
Cash back from the grocery store or ATM. I never paid a fee for cash back. I used a credit card whenever possible so I didn't need too much cash. Places you will need cash are in the Whites and in Maine. Some of the hostels are cash only in ME and the huts only take cash for candy bars, cake, etc. I had a hard time finding a working ATM in Maine. All three in Stratton were down when I was there so don't put yourself in the position of depending on an ATM the guidebook says is in the next town.
"Chainsaw" GA-ME 2011
Dont forget cash back at most Post Offices too (up to $50). Carry more cash in the New England states since it can be hard to find an ATM there.
"Fish Camp Woman.... Baby, I like the way you smell"
- Unknown Hinson
All the P.O.s I stopped at only did cash back if you use a debit card which didn't work for me since I was using a credit card.
"Chainsaw" GA-ME 2011
Yep, gotta use a debit card at the PO's and then some of the smaller ones have limited cash on hand.
Still a good option in a pinch for most thru's.....
Last edited by Spokes; 11-30-2011 at 19:50.
"Fish Camp Woman.... Baby, I like the way you smell"
- Unknown Hinson
I think I might be the last person in the world without a debit card. For some reason, I've found a way to live my life without one (and when the banks started talking about adding the fee last month, I was probably the only person in the world who didn't care.) I use a credit card for most trail transactions, and carry a couple hundred dollars cash, enough for a few months. When I've run out, I've always been able to plan it to be in a larger town (Hanover, NH on the AT), and been able to find my own bank's ATM machine. I never pay bank fees.
"Throw a loaf of bread and a pound of tea in an old sack and jump over the back fence." John Muir on expedition planning
I second what SH said. The Big Y south of town is a better grocery store IMO also hardware store in the same plaza and bank. I made the mistake of getting cash back at PC, won't make that mistake again. But PC is just south of the Gt. Barrington Brewery.
Dollar General always did cash back, used them several times.
"Chainsaw" GA-ME 2011
For emergency situations I always carry 2 ounces of silver in my pack. That way if I lost my wallet, I had about $65 I could trade in at a town. Not a resupply, but I thought it was something to share that might be useful.
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