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BANG FOR THE BITE
If 10,000 Biters choose not to print their ATM receipts, in a year we'll save a roll of paper more than 1,509 feet long.
COCKTAIL FACT
ATM hold-ups are three times more likely to happen between 6 and 9 p.m.
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home › tip library › Sales Receipts
Do you really need printed confirmation that your bank account is almost empty?
The Bite
Probably not. Do what we do, and practice avoidance. The number of trees used for receipts is criminal, so hold up on requesting a receipt at the ATM, gas pump, checkout stand, and anywhere else where you have the choice.The Benefits
- Less litter. Receipts from the 8 billion ATM transactions each year in the United States create a lotta waste.
- Easy access. You can view all your transactions on your bank's website, and some stores, such as Apple, will send an e-receipt to your email.
- Peace of mind. Misplaced receipts can help identity thieves steal your info.
Personally Speaking
Wallets stuffed with receipts give the illusion of more cash, and personally, we can't afford to be any more deluded about our spending reserves than we already are.Wanna Try?
- Just say (or press) no.
Jul 06,2007
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All editorial suggestions in this tip are the result of testing and a preference for the tip topic. No advertiser has paid to have its company referenced in the tip. For more information, please read our Editorial Policy.
Save a Tree for a Change
Receipts are really just another form of junk mail, if you think about it. The cashier at my local café tends to tuck my receipt (he is required to give me one) into the dollar bills I get as change, then precariously perch any coins on top. Argh! It's problem enough to even accept this tottering heap - between full coffee mug, slipping sunglasses, and tangled earphones, I'd give my right arm for an extra...arm - but what is it that's so annoying about someone lumping in a bit of trash with your change?
A friend of mine has taken to handing the receipt back to any given cashier, saying, "No, thank you." This has naturally led to some awkward interpersonal situations, but you have to wonder what would happen if all the Biters in the world just started handing receipts right back...same with those 10% off tanning session flyers forced into your hand or stuck under your windshield. If only there were a service we could sign up for to fight off the paper dogs everywhere, not just in mail...
-Jenifer Morgan... off to plant a tree and sprout another arm...
A friend of mine has taken to handing the receipt back to any given cashier, saying, "No, thank you." This has naturally led to some awkward interpersonal situations, but you have to wonder what would happen if all the Biters in the world just started handing receipts right back...same with those 10% off tanning session flyers forced into your hand or stuck under your windshield. If only there were a service we could sign up for to fight off the paper dogs everywhere, not just in mail...
-Jenifer Morgan... off to plant a tree and sprout another arm...
Biter Comments...
This is a bad tip. You're better off taking your receipt until you've received your statement (or checked online that it has been cleared appropriately) and shredding and recycling your receipt yourself. Most places are required to give you receipts or one prints automatically. If you don't take it, it gets thrown in the trash. Hanging on to a receipt can save you if someone does not actually charge the amount you authorized to your debit or credit card.
I used to say no to ATM receipts, but thought better of it, thank goodness.
One day I made a deposit, but when I checked back later online, it hadn't been recorded. Luckily, I had my receipt and inquired. The bank had lost the deposit -- it was in the basement and they found it. But I don't think they would have looked for it -- nor would I have pushed for it (thinking I made the mistake) -- unless I had a receipt.
this is a good tip - a receipt is really just a printed confirmation of electronic activity. I too had an error on an ATM deposit, but the bank didn't even care to see my receipt because it was all in the computer. They could see what I typed in, what time, what location, etc. At the very least, when you're withdrawing money you should opt-out of receipts.
As for retail stores, sometimes I can avoid the receipt if I tell them I don't want it before it prints. It's easy for cashiers to hit a 'no receipt' button on most cash registers.
this also goes for plane ticket jackets, bags/tissue at retail shops, causually passed flyers in public places... Just say no.
It is a matter of having receipts ONLY if you need it to show expense or for a return. Apart this, to save paper on those matters? Sure, usually you do not need a receipt for filling up your car. Also when you pay bills, do it online, not with cheques. Also, use reusable cups for coffee whenever you can.
Usually the ideas I have seen here are pretty good but I think this one is really, really dumb.
E-commerce and banking systems make many many errors every year. You just don't hear about them due to the excellent PR skills and "power" of these companies. A receipt is often the only solution to proving "they" made a mistake. Having had this experience on my credit card I would like to say I ALWAYS take and keep my receipts.
I believe the risk to consumers is in this case is much more significant vs. the risk to the environment.
If we ever end up in world where our biggest injustice to mother earth is that fact that I took an ATM receipt....I for one will be pretty happy!
Just walk to the ATM instead of driving and take your receipt!
ideal bite...looks like it was a slow day for ideas eh? it's okay you're allowed an off day.
Despite the previous remark, i believe your suggestion is excellent and something I've done for a long time. I download all my banking statements and credit card statements (which by the way, are the real criminals. Watch "Maxed Out")But I've taken to accepting my grocery receipt because if I say no, they just toss it in the trash and at least I can recycle it. And if you don't believe that doing one little step will help save the planet, we're all doomed. Everyone doing one little step is the only thing that's going to save our asses.
Bad tip unless clarified for use only when paying cash for small ticket item -- such as lunch or such. Banking and credit card errors happen plenty and receipts can save the day. Plus, if everyone eschews receipts, less scrupulous folks could be encouraged to take advantage of the situation. A better tip would be to urge the production of paper by hemp or another renewable, sustainable resource.
I bank online and ask for electronic billings from any creditors. I don't write more than a half dozen checks per year and probably use only a dozen postage stamps per year. Still I accept receipts for ATM activity because I, too, had a bad experience. It involved a dishonest bank employee. The bank made it good but I'm not willing to put myself at the mercy of 'bad guys.'
I have not gotten a receipt from the ATM for years. Its just clutter and they tend to get lost. While it doesn't have my account number on it, it has more information than I want to lose on it. So I just forego them. Actually, I pretty much forego cash these days unless I know I am going somewhere that won't take credit cards like a festival. Other than that I only shop at stores that take debit cards.
Anyway I bank at Bank of America and everything is done online. I can see any transaction within 2 minutes of it occuring, including any deposits via ATM. For years they told you not to include deposit slips with ATM deposits, they just printed it on the envelope. Now they don't even want you to include the envelope. The ATM machine, scans the cash and checks and adds the money to your account. With online banking, I can see the scan of the check in my account in the same two minutes. Electronic Banking is a great way to cut down on paper. I don't get paper statements, don't use checks anymore. Just my online banking account, electronic billpay and my debit card. I keep a small cash reserve at home for emergencies but really try to stay away from green bills and coins that can get lost.
I do like getting my receipts to check against my e-post statements, but I have recently found a way to re-use them. I simply turn them over and use the back for my grocery list!
too bad the IRS isn't on board with this tip. you still need hard copies of the receipts (can't even use your statement) if you get audited. i know this because i was audited.
It is almost as annoying as those people that look at you like you have 3 eyes when you say, "No, I don't need a bag." Grrr...
This Green Life
http://thisgreenlife.wordpress.com
I know this is a good tip but I will never do it.
I was at a grocery store once and used an atm. If not for my receipt I would have had to pay 10x the amount I deducted.
The machine was malfunctioning and the receipt showed the correct amount. The withdrawal at my bank showed 10x the amount to withdraw. It was a 3rd party atm but still my bank said as long as I had my printed receipt they could research I was covered.
Those receipts are important until your account has posted. Then shred them.
Well, I DO BELIEVE IN SAVING TREES, but for reasons being, I like my recieipts to make sure I wasn't charged something differant and I have had it happen to me 3 x"s including today for a pack of cigerrettes and soda, he charged me 14:63 twice, and when he credited it, he didnt he actually credit it, he charged me 14.63 2 x's + 12.17 +6.75. So I would be careful with this one ok. Believe me there are a lot of ways to save trees, and I can give you a lot of ideas how to. sherry
I agree with all the folks about getting receipts for financial transaction confirmation. We well-meaning folks recycle them, right? Look at the receipt trash often posted near an ATM - guess what happens to it when it's full? You can bet gas stations and other similar places with ATMs will just put them in the dumpster. If people would just take their receipts home and, when done, put them in for curb-side recyling. Otherwise, just select the No Receipt option (if available). Perhaps ATM owners should include the statement "(Saves Paper)" at the No Receipt question to get people who don't care for receipts more interested in making the wiser choice.
Yes, your right, I wouldn't give my recieipts up. But to save paper, and trees you can also do e-bills which I never would, but now I am , and reason being our trees are dying because we haven't had any rain. and you can create a rule for your e-bills when you recieve them to go to a seperate folder from the junk mail and also flag them after you have paid them. sherry
Although I appreciate every tidbit of useful information Ideal Bite offers, I disagree with the receipt idea. Why not suggest people use their receipts for lists and other notes after the amounts have been reconciled? I always get a receipt because mistakes have been made and have been the error of the vendor or of my bank. Better safe than sorry. Just last week I was charged the wrong amounts twice and had to approach store owners once the wrong amount posted to my bank account. Ask for receipts but use them later!!!
I haven't requested an ATM receipt in well over 10 years... and the world didn't collapse around my ears yet! I reckon that's about a THOUSAND receipts saved.
Shame it's so difficult to achieve the same in shops though.
I agree! I am okay with not requesting receipts from my bank but merchants just aren't that reliable. Such a shame! But finding new uses for receipts or recycling them is something we can all do!
yes, alison, your right me to, i had the gas station charge of 6.75 and he double charged me 14.63, and then when i told him it was wrong, he argued with mee, and the bank said he charged me, not only 6.75, but also 14.63, and 12.16, he messed up my account, so i wont give up my reciepts,. sorry.
I agree, Sherry. If only "the system" was more reliable, but I have experienced too many human errors. Looks like someone really messed with you as well!! I used to frequent a restaurant near my job but they over-charged me three times in a row. Third times a charm! and they lost a customer!! Luckily I had the receipt too!
Receipts are small potatoes to me, plus you need them for "evidence" in the case of returns.
I've decided to send the flyers littering our apartment building entrance back to the restaurant with a note saying I won't be frequenting their establishment due to the litter they contributed to the neighborhood.
Judy....great idea! I totally agree about the receipts but I have never thought about sending back all the stuff I receive from local restaurants/retail establishments. Not to mention lawn care offers! I have been using them as scrap paper but would rather not have them in the first place! T
yes, you are right, i dont trust the system at all, i keep my reciepts, and yes that would be interesting to see, but i did one time, sent it back. OOOOOOOOhhhh I was bad.
PHOTO ALBUMS
Posted by: The Lab | July 06, 2007 at 06:28 AM