Prepaid

You know what's great? Not having to pay for things. By this, I don't mean stealing things, or getting stuff for free. I'm simply describing the absence of a cash or credit-card-signing transaction when it comes to pay for things.

My Starbucks card does this for me. I prepay $50 or so at Starbucks and then hand my card over every morning when I buy my coffee. I get that card back less than 5 seconds later and I'm on my way. No muss, no fuss. I noticed the other day that Subway has introduced a similar card -- it makes a lot of sense at stores who sell a lot of very low-priced items like coffee and sandwiches. In my opinion, Starbucks should let other stores use their payment system. They could probably sign up just about every convenience store and fast-food joint overnight. Customers would love it.

Even better than the Starbucks card, though, is the deal I have with the coffee guy across the street. He knows me, I know him. I give him a $20 every now and then and he tells me when I've used it up. Or not -- sometimes he lets me get a few bucks in the hole before he reminds me. Either way, it's a great system. I can go for a run without having to carry cash and before I go home I can stop by, grab an iced tea from the cooler, give him a nod and head on my way.