It was a hot summer’s day with a hazy horizon due to the wildfires around Pemberton. 

“Nothing like the wild-fires in Ontario that make the president’s eyes water and scrambles his mind beyond sanity,” I said.

“He seriously suggested imposing more tariffs because Canadian smoke is drifting south. How about sending up some fire fighters instead,” he said, shaking his head.

We both took a long swallow of cold, golden goodness.

“I don’t know how you do your banking Camp but when I read headlines like: Big banks post record profits I cringe. Of course, we all know banks never loose, they just up their fees and lend out more money.”

“Not sure where you’re going with this my friend. Something must have crawled over your liver, to use an old idiom.”

“Well, you’re right. Here is my little story: Last year we bought in to a spiel about a new and very advantageous credit card, the CIBC Aeroplan Infinite. Big name. Big promises. We were also told that as long we kept a certain amount of money in our chequing account the yearly fees of $ 189.- would be waived. So far, so good. When I went into the branch the other day for another issue, I inquired about this arrangement. I was told that: ‘oh sorry, the terms have changed. You must have gotten an email about this. They have rescinded those terms last November and are now charging the full amount.’

‘You’re kidding? What about the free companion card I was promised?’ I asked. 

‘Sorry, that also no longer applies but the good news is that for seniors they are giving away a $ 50 bonus on renewal.’ 

‘Let me get this right,’ I said. ‘CIBC unilaterally and arbitrary changes the contracted agreement we had and takes away the promised perks that made us buy into this card in the first place. Just like that. Also, I never got an email about this.’ 

‘I’m so sorry sir,’ the managerial person said, ‘I advise you to change to this new card that is absolutely fee-free and has all the same perks your current card has.’

‘Changing to a new card is like losing my present card,’ I said. ‘I would have to change all my pre-authorized subscriptions and bill payments. What’s the point if they can change those terms on a whim. Thank you very much for your help and insights.’

I hope the manager didn’t take my displeasure personal but I was pissed.”

“Those sounds like rich people problems. I do my personal and the stores banking with the Credit Union since day one and I don’t have a credit card. Call me old fashioned but I still use cash. Whenever possible. The reason being that a 50 dollar bill is always a 50 dollar bill. If you use a charge card, several dollars go away and the 50 bucks are suddenly only 48 bucks. The issuer and the banks they represent make money every time you swipe that piece of plastic. I should know because most people use the cards at the store and it costs me every time. Cash is almost an anachronism.”

“You’re probably right Camp. Rich man problems. I wonder where all that cash is that the Bank of Canada prints if nobody is using it?”

“Good question.”

We finished our beers. 

When Vicky came around with another round, I asked her about her payment preferences. 

“I use my card because I don’t have to pay for 30 days but I prefer cash, as in tips,” she said, winking at us. 

We got the message. We agreed to pay in cash from now on. Screw the banks and credit card companies.