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Paper Trail

In the '90s, my Russian Hill 'hood in SF had one token homeless guy (if you lived in SF then, you may remember the Marina's Streamer guy or North Beach's Gnome). Ours was a young, red-haired guy (kinda looked like Eric Stolz in Mask without, y'know, the face) who'd shuffle up and down the street with his battered backpack - keeping to himself and never asking for cash. One day I popped into the corner store and lined up behind him at the ATM (surprised to see you here…). He left his receipt behind. I'll cut him some slack, but what's with these receipt litterers? Curious, I checked it and his balance was $500 – felt good to know he was covered.

As for me, I'd squirrel my receipts in a box – worried my bank wouldn't believe that I had made a deposit. I've weaned myself off them since (I'm OCD about checking my account online). Plus, I save a lotta minutes (and trees, natch) not waiting for a receipt to print.

-Senior Editor Theresa…off to just say no receipts and mind her business…

Posted by: tgonzalez on 03/03/2009
related tip
Maybe, since the number of trees that go to making receipts is just plain criminal. Hold up on requesting a receipt at the ATM, gas pump, checkout stand, and anywhere else where you have the choice, ski mask or not.
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Anonymous  on March 03, 2009 at 05:02 AM 1
I'm an accountant and I'm self-employed. I can usually work out the bank issues of whether or not they got the deposit. But I get the receipt anyways. Its for business purposes. Its so I remember where that $40 bucks went to, especially for gas. Its so when the IRS asks me to justify the expense of my vehicle-which I use extensively for business, I have something to show. I need the receipt. I will take it, and I do not wish to have someone make me feel bad because I like to be able to check my wallet and see where my money has gone. If you don't need it, don't get it. But as an accountant-if it relates to your business-Always, always, always get a receipt. When you are finished with it, in 7 or 10 years, you can recycle the receipt. There are other ways to save the environment.
Paperless Lady  on March 03, 2009 at 05:42 AM 2
I don't take the ATM or gas receipts but do subtract the amounts from my checkbook when I get home so that I know how much money is really in my checking acct and don't overspend. The company I used to work for doesn't require receipts under a certain dollar value, or if you charged it on your corporate credit card. They've been doing that successfully for many years now. The electronic expense reports also saves mailing a lot of paper as well, no big envelopes, less postage and actually less time-consuming to do the expense reports since it's electronic. However, I can understand the accountant's comment if there are some businesses which do require a paper receipt for expenses for IRS purposes.
Anonymous  on March 03, 2009 at 06:44 AM 3
A woman on the radio said there was a mix-up at the gas pump, and her credit or debit card didn't take. She drove away thinking she had paid at the pump, but a cop pulled her over for stealing gas. She had a receipt her innocence. So I for one, will always take the receipt. It shouldn't have your acct number on it in this day and age.
Michelle  on March 03, 2009 at 06:50 AM 4
While there's no denying getting receipts does cost paper/trees... NOT getting and checking receipts at the ATM or gas pump can cost you a lot of money. If there's a discrepancy it's best to catch it and deal with the merchant right then and there. See this story... http://www.kjrh.com/content/news/franchises/segment2/story/The-500-fill-... Man charged more than $500 for filling up his pick-up with 17.5 gallons of gasoline. If not for having his receipt he would have been out a lot of money. You can get the receipt to protect your bank account AND recycle the receipt later when you know all is well.
Shanta  on March 03, 2009 at 07:36 AM 5
In addition to not getting receipts, I wish you would have mentioned not to use the drive thru if there is another option. Recently my bank took out the ATM you could walk up to. So now I have to use the drive thru if the bank is not open. I do shut my car off though while I am doing my transaction.
Anonymous  on March 03, 2009 at 07:53 AM 6
For those of us who use the ATM for deposits too, I hadn't really thought about the fact that I'm using an envelope everytime, as opposed to going in and depositing it with a teller. I still like the convenience though, especially with two small kids that I can keep in the car at arm's length while I deposit in the ATM - BUT I do at least try to wait til I have all the checks I'll need to deposit for a time, instead of doing lots of individual ones. Just a thought!!
Anonymous  on March 03, 2009 at 08:07 AM 7
Sometimes a receipt is all you have. I've been in the position at least twice to have to dispute something I was charged. Unfortunately, one does need the receipt. It is the one quick remedy for any discrepency. Even with credit card companies.
Anonymous  on March 03, 2009 at 09:16 AM 8
I agree with those who've said to get receipts. I actually find it a little irresponsible not to get a receipt. Not only have I had to challenge charges to my debit card and credit card by displaying receipts (if what you say you were charged and what your bank shows are different, how else can you prove yourself), but I know others who have had the same experience. Receipts can be burned as starter, shredded and used as packing material, or simply recycled.
Adam E  on March 03, 2009 at 09:42 AM 9
I totally understand the arguments about not needing to keep receipts. However, as others pointed out, errors do happen and that is why I keep the receipts and check them against my monthly statements. Then I rip them up and recycle the paper when they're no longer needed. What really needs to be changed are the habits of those who chose to get receipts only to discard them right away after a quick glance. That's why those little baskets by the store ATM get full even though people had the option to deny receipts! I do hope that receipts in general are made with unbleached recycled paper - they don't need to be bleached perfectly white like office paper!
JoAnne  on March 03, 2009 at 10:13 AM 10
I would rather not get a receipt, but whether you want it or not, they are automatically printed out. Therefore, I take my receipts, match them against my e-statements, then use the back of them as a grocery list. After they have been re-used, I recycle. If I am given the option of not having a receipt printed out, such as at ATM's, I always choose not to get my receipt. What is the point in not taking them, if they are already printed off???
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