Oh, the Different Ways to Pay Today (Not by Doctor Seuss)

Mark, Mega Millions tickets cost 2 dollars now?!? I don’t have 2 dollars in my wallet... I don’t have any dollars in my wallet!

And due to my lack of paper currency, if I’m not in it, I can’t win it. And I wanna win it, which has got me to thinking (again) about the new(er) ways to pay. When we last tackled the topic, I think we were ranting about wearable rings, speedos, the Rio Games and maybe Ryan Lochte’s hair. We’re now approaching a saturation point when it comes to places (on the body) to put payment mechanisms (especially if you’re in Rio!).

The Bank of the Future: 2040 and the Reality of AR and VR

Mark, when I envision the bank of the future, I imagine Twiki and Buck Rogers at a casino. Or maybe I once dreamed that—I’m old and my mind is going. So what are we talking about and what can we envision when it comes to the bank of the future? And by future, I’m talking about 2040, before certain cities might be flooded (by water). But I digress, as this isn’t a post about climate change.

Dumbing Down Payments and Fintech Jargon… Just in Time for the Holidays!

Mark, is there a slightly less insulting phrase for “dumbing down” something? I ask because there are some terms and topics making bigly waves today and many/most consumers outside of payments/banking/fintech/tech might not understand their significance and why they should care. With that, can we take a moment to simplify these terms and topics, while also conveying their importance to the masses—from your mother-in-law to your daughter’s daycare provider to “the old man sitting next to me making love to his tonic and gin” (I’m a sucker for Billy Joel).

Bringing Home the Payments Bacon (And Other ‘Sizzles’ Such as PSD2, GDPR, AI and Big Data)

Mark, we’ve closed out another hectic Money20/20; my eyes are still dry; my throat is still sore; I still reek of cigarettes; I’ve eaten a lot of bacon on a stick (thanks to Zelle, a great group of people and a great partner)! So for the most part, this year’s event has been another win. And I haven’t even referenced the many terrific sessions during the week (well, I guess I just did).

Getting a Gauge on Payment App Season

Dear Mark, this is a 100% true story (and a solid ‘Ranting’ to boot). As you know, I just returned from a lovely and relaxing vacation (or as our European colleagues call it, holiday). And as I got into my car this morning—for the first time in more than a week—I realized the gas tank was near-empty and that my low-tire indicator light was on… and I needed to get my daughter to camp en route to coming into the office.

You’d think this a minor inconvenience, right? Well…

The Many Delicious Flavors of P2P

We’re now very much into the height of summer (real feel today outside my door is 98 degrees, not to be confused with that amazing band from the 90s). And following the recent Zelle launch, we’re also very much into the height of P2P hype. As Mark and I are wont to do, we’re mixing up food and payments (a delicious combo)! And in this case, we’re talking about one of our favorite summer (or year-round) treats, ice cream. We’ve waxed poetic about ice cream in prior blogs (i.e., shops at the Cape and in Newport that still abide by old-school cash-only policies, etc.). Specific to this post, if you think about it, the roster of P2P options continues to increase, like the number of amazing flavors that Ben & Jerry’s offers these days. And with spoons in our mouths and napkins in our hands, it’s time to rant!

How mCommerce and eCommerce Are Shaping the Infomercial (Cash, check or money order?)

If you enjoy watching infomercials as much as we do, you’re likely familiar with the payment option that closes out these delightful paid programs...which brings us to another edition of Rantings, focused on Payment Habits. And after all, who hasn’t purchased a ShamWow!? Mark, we’re approaching the unofficial start of summer (editor’s note: there’s likely a future post on summer holiday purchases) and even though there’s no correlation between vacations and COD (cash on demand)—at least I don’t think there’s one—it at least provides an awkward segue into Payment Habits.

(When) Are We Really Going Cashless?

We’re officially in May, which means that the unofficial start of summer in certain parts of the world is quickly approaching…and it also means that we’re overdue for another Rantings post (maybe). And with that, Mark, I just returned from a Southeastern jaunt with the family, eating my way through Asheville, NC and Nashville, TN (with a quick stop at Dollywood). In addition to now having staggeringly/dangerously high cholesterol from the mass quantities and (primarily fried) food I consumed, I also have a surplus of cash—because my wife coerced me into withdrawing money from an airport ATM (in advance of said jaunt). What’s interesting is that I actually spent at least some cash each day of our trip, primarily for tipping hotel workers, but also for the infrequent small cash-only business.

March Madness: The Elite 8 of Payments

March Madness is officially upon us and millions have (incorrectly) picked their brackets because no one picks every game correctly…and we mean no one. March Madness has also now brought about copycats (how flattering)—from brackets on books to restaurants to cities to sportswriters and more…there might even be one on Members of Congress (hello mid-term elections!!!!). And I think 2017 marks our second annual Rantings Madness bracket, though our bracket does not involve 64 or 68 teams, as that would be nauseating. We’ve whittled ours down to the Elite 8…in this case, the Elite 8 of Payments.

Coffee, Waffles and Payments - Notes from a Waffle House

Yes, a Waffle House—that destination of deliciousness; that institution of intestinal fortitude; that hangover cure; that culinary staple of…well…waffles. And speaking of deliciousness, it’s about time for a Ranting, our first Rantings of 2017 in fact. This week/month/session, we’re Ranting from a Waffle House in downtown Atlanta. And as my intrepid cohort and I indulge in our respective covered and smothered dishes and I wipe syrup from my keyboard (apologies to my great IT folks), let’s embark on some payment meanderings.