I let my last credit/debit card expire this month

[Elwar]

My Amex card expired last year, they may have sent a new card but I don't live there anymore. I'll get around to officially turning that one off, I've had an Amex since '97. I called a few months ago and cut off my Mastercard and verified that my Bank of America card was turned off.

That left me with my bank's debit card. That expired at the end of April.

I still have my bank account, I have my house rented with direct deposit into my bank account and I turn around and pay my mortgage from there so I haven't taken that final step to close that account. Plus I figured I can just use my bank account to buy/sell bitcoins until they shut down my account like they do with so many people.

I do have a deutsche bank account card that I use to deposit cash into my account. I tend to get more through localbitcoins than I spend so I just convert the extra cash back to bitcoins so I don't have to turn people away who want to buy bitcoins with cash.


Here's the thread with links and reviews of places I use regularly that accept bitcoin: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=943143.0

[NUFCrichard]

My Amex card expired last year, they may have sent a new card but I don't live there anymore. I'll get around to officially turning that one off, I've had an Amex since '97. I called a few months and cut off my Mastercard and verified that my Bank of America card was turned off.

That left me with my bank's debit card. That expired at the end of April.

I still have my bank account, I have a rental with direct deposit into my bank account and I turn around and pay my mortgage from there so I haven't taken that final step to close that account. Plus I figured I can just use my bank account to buy/sell bitcoins until they shut down my account like they do with so many people.

I do have a deutsche bank account card that I use to deposit cash into my account. I tend to get more through localbitcoins than I spend so I just convert the extra cash back to bitcoins so I don't have to turn people away who want to buy bitcoins with cash.

Are you going to try to live off Bitcoin, or is it poor organization from you that has let you have no cards anymore?!

I don't see cards as the problem, I mean there are bitcoin debit/credit cards, I see the fiat system as the problem.  If you have a fiat bank account (pretty much a necessity) then you are still in the system.
If they do shut your account because of your bitcoin trading, what will you do then? Can you get paid in cash or bitcoin? If not then you are going to have some major difficulties!

[Elwar]

My Amex card expired last year, they may have sent a new card but I don't live there anymore. I'll get around to officially turning that one off, I've had an Amex since '97. I called a few months and cut off my Mastercard and verified that my Bank of America card was turned off.

That left me with my bank's debit card. That expired at the end of April.

I still have my bank account, I have a rental with direct deposit into my bank account and I turn around and pay my mortgage from there so I haven't taken that final step to close that account. Plus I figured I can just use my bank account to buy/sell bitcoins until they shut down my account like they do with so many people.

I do have a deutsche bank account card that I use to deposit cash into my account. I tend to get more through localbitcoins than I spend so I just convert the extra cash back to bitcoins so I don't have to turn people away who want to buy bitcoins with cash.

Are you going to try to live off Bitcoin, or is it poor organization from you that has let you have no cards anymore?!

I don't see cards as the problem, I mean there are bitcoin debit/credit cards, I see the fiat system as the problem.  If you have a fiat bank account (pretty much a necessity) then you are still in the system.
If they do shut your account because of your bitcoin trading, what will you do then? Can you get paid in cash or bitcoin? If not then you are going to have some major difficulties!

I'm currently paid 100% in Bitcoin through bitwage.co.  I pay for as much as I can using bitcoins. I actively sell bitcoins on localbitcoins so I usually have plenty of cash for buying food and paying rent.

If they shut down my bank account I can probably have my tenants direct deposit directly to my bitwage bitcoin address and I am looking at billpayforcoins.com to see if they can handle my mortgage payment. My goal this year is definitely to go into 2016 with no bank account. I have confidence in the Bitcoin community filling the final pieces necessary to do that.

[Amph]

I do have a deutsche bank account card that I use to deposit cash into my account. I tend to get more through localbitcoins than I spend so I just convert the extra cash back to bitcoins so I don't have to turn people away who want to buy bitcoins with cash.

i'm using that too, is a great card, zero fee on everything(and i'm not joking), it's the only card that makes sense to have, but besides this i want to use bitcoin more, and get rid of those dusty preistoric payments methods

[NUFCrichard]

My Amex card expired last year, they may have sent a new card but I don't live there anymore. I'll get around to officially turning that one off, I've had an Amex since '97. I called a few months and cut off my Mastercard and verified that my Bank of America card was turned off.

That left me with my bank's debit card. That expired at the end of April.

I still have my bank account, I have a rental with direct deposit into my bank account and I turn around and pay my mortgage from there so I haven't taken that final step to close that account. Plus I figured I can just use my bank account to buy/sell bitcoins until they shut down my account like they do with so many people.

I do have a deutsche bank account card that I use to deposit cash into my account. I tend to get more through localbitcoins than I spend so I just convert the extra cash back to bitcoins so I don't have to turn people away who want to buy bitcoins with cash.

Are you going to try to live off Bitcoin, or is it poor organization from you that has let you have no cards anymore?!

I don't see cards as the problem, I mean there are bitcoin debit/credit cards, I see the fiat system as the problem.  If you have a fiat bank account (pretty much a necessity) then you are still in the system.
If they do shut your account because of your bitcoin trading, what will you do then? Can you get paid in cash or bitcoin? If not then you are going to have some major difficulties!

I'm currently paid 100% in Bitcoin through bitwage.co.  I pay for as much as I can using bitcoins. I actively sell bitcoins on localbitcoins so I usually have plenty of cash for buying food and paying rent.

If they shut down my bank account I can probably have my tenants direct deposit directly to my bitwage bitcoin address and I am looking at billpayforcoins.com to see if they can handle my mortgage payment. My goal this year is definitely to go into 2016 with no bank account. I have confidence in the Bitcoin community filling the final pieces necessary to do that.

That sounds really cool to be honest!  It isn't something that I would do, but you are really pioneering in the field.
I mean, most people who do what you are doing are making documentaries about it, but you are just living it!

Let me know if I can help you out somehow, and good luck with it, I hope you and bitcoin are sucessful.

[gargantuar]

Elwar, I think what you are doing is bold and pioneering.  I hope you will continue to post your success and how you did it.  I have a few rentals and would be interested in how you solve that problem.

[Shindo1988]

My Amex card expired last year, they may have sent a new card but I don't live there anymore. I'll get around to officially turning that one off, I've had an Amex since '97. I called a few months and cut off my Mastercard and verified that my Bank of America card was turned off.

That left me with my bank's debit card. That expired at the end of April.

I still have my bank account, I have a rental with direct deposit into my bank account and I turn around and pay my mortgage from there so I haven't taken that final step to close that account. Plus I figured I can just use my bank account to buy/sell bitcoins until they shut down my account like they do with so many people.

I do have a deutsche bank account card that I use to deposit cash into my account. I tend to get more through localbitcoins than I spend so I just convert the extra cash back to bitcoins so I don't have to turn people away who want to buy bitcoins with cash.

Are you going to try to live off Bitcoin, or is it poor organization from you that has let you have no cards anymore?!

I don't see cards as the problem, I mean there are bitcoin debit/credit cards, I see the fiat system as the problem.  If you have a fiat bank account (pretty much a necessity) then you are still in the system.
If they do shut your account because of your bitcoin trading, what will you do then? Can you get paid in cash or bitcoin? If not then you are going to have some major difficulties!

I'm currently paid 100% in Bitcoin through bitwage.co.  I pay for as much as I can using bitcoins. I actively sell bitcoins on localbitcoins so I usually have plenty of cash for buying food and paying rent.

If they shut down my bank account I can probably have my tenants direct deposit directly to my bitwage bitcoin address and I am looking at billpayforcoins.com to see if they can handle my mortgage payment. My goal this year is definitely to go into 2016 with no bank account. I have confidence in the Bitcoin community filling the final pieces necessary to do that.

That's the main thing.
Getting away from those bloodsuckers.

They don't deserve one penny from my heard earned money, so why should I let them "handle" my money?

[Elwar]

Elwar, I think what you are doing is bold and pioneering.  I hope you will continue to post your success and how you did it.  I have a few rentals and would be interested in how you solve that problem.

Someone already checked on direct deposit from their tenants, bitwage.co will convert those to bitcoins. There are no fees but I have noticed the price they use for paying me is about 1% above the price on most exchanges so that is probably where they are getting their cut. Great service though.

[Silly Money]

I admire your confidence and dedication to bitcoin but I wouldn't have the balls to go full bitcoin. I still like the comfort and security my bank accounts and cards bring but I am also a big fan of the financial freedom bitcoin brings but its not at the point where I could ditch fiat all together unfortunately.

[thejaytiesto]

My Amex card expired last year, they may have sent a new card but I don't live there anymore. I'll get around to officially turning that one off, I've had an Amex since '97. I called a few months and cut off my Mastercard and verified that my Bank of America card was turned off.

That left me with my bank's debit card. That expired at the end of April.

I still have my bank account, I have a rental with direct deposit into my bank account and I turn around and pay my mortgage from there so I haven't taken that final step to close that account. Plus I figured I can just use my bank account to buy/sell bitcoins until they shut down my account like they do with so many people.

I do have a deutsche bank account card that I use to deposit cash into my account. I tend to get more through localbitcoins than I spend so I just convert the extra cash back to bitcoins so I don't have to turn people away who want to buy bitcoins with cash.

Are you going to try to live off Bitcoin, or is it poor organization from you that has let you have no cards anymore?!

I don't see cards as the problem, I mean there are bitcoin debit/credit cards, I see the fiat system as the problem.  If you have a fiat bank account (pretty much a necessity) then you are still in the system.
If they do shut your account because of your bitcoin trading, what will you do then? Can you get paid in cash or bitcoin? If not then you are going to have some major difficulties!

I'm currently paid 100% in Bitcoin through bitwage.co.  I pay for as much as I can using bitcoins. I actively sell bitcoins on localbitcoins so I usually have plenty of cash for buying food and paying rent.

If they shut down my bank account I can probably have my tenants direct deposit directly to my bitwage bitcoin address and I am looking at billpayforcoins.com to see if they can handle my mortgage payment. My goal this year is definitely to go into 2016 with no bank account. I have confidence in the Bitcoin community filling the final pieces necessary to do that.

This is great, I don't know any other person that is taking it this far. My question is, do you tax your BTC? I assume you want to avoid to do that, but let's say you eventually buy a property paying with BTC: How would you go about it? The government would find out you own a house sooner or later, and they will want to know how did you pay, and where did that money come from. You'll not have any other explanation but telling the truth, which means they'll want to know your total BTC stack and tax your ass.

Also, what do you think about using exchanges like multisigna + mixing the coins before doing so? are you still in trouble with the law that way? I want to be as anonymous as possible, no one needs to know the movements I make with my money, that is just so fucking annoying.

[cryptworld]

Although we want it there are lots of sites where you can't pay with bitcoin and only accept credit card,what will you do if you need credit card forcedly?

[countryfree]

Elwar, that's where I am. I've cancelled my last credit card in October. I've been living with cash (most often) and BTC (rarely) since then, but I've finally decided to get another card. I travel a lot, and it hurts to see that paying for flights and hotels is difficult and often more expensive without a credit card. And it's impossible to rent a car!

I'm currently in Germany, which has a strong cash culture, with most people buying cars cash (I know, I just did), but in neighboring France, living without a credit card is really difficult, and it's worse in the US, where you can't get into a decent hotel without a credit card.

You deserve all my congratulations, but as you probably know, a few things will now be harder.

[LFC_Bitcoin]

@Elwar

Wow, just read the OP.
I don't have the balls to do what you've done to be honest, I really respect what you've done.
You must really believe in the future of Bitcoin.
Very brave of you, I'm very bullish but I don't think I'm ready to take the drastic measures you have yet.
Very impressed reading your story though, best of luck, you deserve it.

[PolarPoint]

This is a brave move, converting your wages directly to bitcoin. Don't tell me your life savings is entirely in bitcoin too. If you are, you need to rethink your investment plan. It's too much of a gamble. Think about your family.

[unamis76]

Those are some bold and ballsy moves you've got there... I couldn't do it myself, at least for now. Thanks for sharing your experience and keep it up!

[fryarminer]

My Amex card expired last year, they may have sent a new card but I don't live there anymore. I'll get around to officially turning that one off, I've had an Amex since '97. I called a few months and cut off my Mastercard and verified that my Bank of America card was turned off.

That left me with my bank's debit card. That expired at the end of April.

I still have my bank account, I have a rental with direct deposit into my bank account and I turn around and pay my mortgage from there so I haven't taken that final step to close that account. Plus I figured I can just use my bank account to buy/sell bitcoins until they shut down my account like they do with so many people.

I do have a deutsche bank account card that I use to deposit cash into my account. I tend to get more through localbitcoins than I spend so I just convert the extra cash back to bitcoins so I don't have to turn people away who want to buy bitcoins with cash.


Here's the thread with links and reviews of places I use regularly that accept bitcoin: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=943143.0

You're my hero!! Congratulations!!! I'd be doing the same but every time I pay off my credit card my car breaks down again!

Not having a credit card or bank account is definite freedom!

[fryarminer]

Elwar, that's where I am. I've cancelled my last credit card in October. I've been living with cash (most often) and BTC (rarely) since then, but I've finally decided to get another card. I travel a lot, and it hurts to see that paying for flights and hotels is difficult and often more expensive without a credit card. And it's impossible to rent a car!

I'm currently in Germany, which has a strong cash culture, with most people buying cars cash (I know, I just did), but in neighboring France, living without a credit card is really difficult, and it's worse in the US, where you can't get into a decent hotel without a credit card.

You deserve all my congratulations, but as you probably know, a few things will now be harder.

Hotels and car rentals are hard to get without a credit card. Good point there. You can book flights with bitcoin so that is a bit easier.

[Kprawn]

So who is going to do the documentary on the first person in the world, who broke away from the traditional banking system?

I think I would also go that route, if my salary was paid in Bitcoin.

Very bold move buddy.  ..... The mortage payment is going to be a tricky part... { Any Bitcoin based Mortage lending out there? }

Where are the Bitcoin whales, when you need them... { Pay his mortage and charge him less interest } Break the last chains to the banks. 

[acquafredda]

On the long term this is what the majority of us want.

We want the freedom (the real one) to decide whether we want a bank account/credit card/debit card or not!
Nowadays, if one is to live in the "civilized" world one will need all this.
No bank account, no card, no credit...

But do we really need it?

I hope you are free now Elwar. I regard you with esteem.

[Denker]

I admire Elwar for having the confidence to take these steps. I couldn't do this right now. This is indeed pioneering!
After Laszlo's pizza event which gave BTC it's first kind of value, this thread can be one of the most interesting ones in the next years.And hopefully more and more people will be able to follow him. Awesome. Big respect!