Ideal Bite

we've learned to live in a cashless society, why not a paperless one

Great tip. I have not been requesting receipts in ATM's for the last 4 years in ATM's that allow an option not to receive a receipts. I just didn't o the math to check how much of forest we are destroying by it.

That would work if we lived in a perfect world with honest people. I work in a bank and people try to scam all the time saying the ATM didn't give them all their money all the time. Sure it shows up on the computer but that doesn't mean the amount was given. That just means, that was the amount you punched in. ATM's don't use double receipted paper anymore. We/ours does not keep in house records of errors. On the receipt there is a code so that if there is an error; not enough money given, when the ATM is balanced, we can, if a customer comes in and wants $20 because the ATM didn't give them the $60 they wanted, fax a copy of that receipt (because it has the code) to Lose & Prevention along with a copy of their ATM card so they can research, the time, date, amount, code, etc. We can't just hand over the $20. based on what the customer says. They even ask us to look it up on our computer. Of course it's going to show. There are even times when people try to come in days later and try to recover money maybe thinking they are in the clear. These of course would be the dishonest ones trying to get away stealing. I guess it all comes down to, if you are comfortable with not taking a receipt after counting your money, don't take one. No, I don't take one. I don't leave an ATM until I count my money first, however, that is giving a robber the time and opportunity to rob you also.

can't believe you recommended such a miniscule paper saver like this one. sorry, but there are bigger paper using fish to fry.

To the poster at 7:25am on 3/3/09: Yes, this is a little thing, but it is something that almost all of us can help with. It's like recycling a metal can or plastic bottle: it isn't much but it adds up and does help. I can replace my windows with energy efficient ones just so many times to help the environment, and my children can't even do that, yet each one of us can assist by not getting unnecessary receipts. Little fish like this do add up, and allows us little people to make a difference.

Big ups to you guys, helping everyone take a little bite outta the green apple. It tips like these that make it easier for people to take steps that make a difference. Just too add, apart from pressing no at the ATMs, you can also request that your teller not print out a receipt for you when you withdraw from or deposit into your account. You'll get a statement anyway, & if you really want to know, jot down your transactions yourself. I get e-statements, so I don't bother with that.

It is helpful to the environment to avoid paper use where you can. For example, with online purchases receipts can be "printed" as .pdfs and saved on your computer. If you need to be reimbursed by an employer, though, you're going to need a copy of that reciept. In addition, good luck winning your claim if you're the victim of fraud and don't have the receipt to prove it. I have gotten erroneous charges from gas stations, restaurants, and other businesses removed from my credit accounts solely because I had the receipt to prove the charge I authorized. To be able to identify fraudulent purchases from identity theft (or simple credit card number theft), it is also helpful to have receipts or at least, as suggested by one other person, to write down all charges so that you can identify ones you didn't authorize on credit card statements. Any paper receipts you get can be shredded and recycled. That is perhaps not as green as not getting paper in the first place, but it's much more likely to protect you from fraud...

Kudos to those that mentioned that this is a perfect world scenario. They are very correct that computers do make mistakes. Another option that should be mentioned is to shred it after the transaction has been verified with your statement. Then you can recycle it without worrying about ID theft.

While it's not usually necessary to have an ATM receipt, it's really quite important to keep all gas station and store receipts -- especially if you're using your charge or credit card.

Without your receipt, you're usually forgoing the ability to return an item. And unless you carry a notebook to record the date and total of each of your purchases, you'll find it far more difficult to reconcile your statement each month without receipts. Having a "wallet stuffed with receipts" is less of a financial risk than not reviewing your statements each month -- and far less a risk than not keeping a detailed budget of all your expenditures.

When paying with a charge/credit/debit card at the gas pump, a receipt can be the only proof you have that you didn't pump gas without paying. See http://consumerist.com/5035423/always-print-your-gas-pump-receipt-as-pro... for a great example.

I'd also point out that the overwhelming majority of store registers print a receipt whether you want one or not. You'd be better off accepting the receipt and shredding/recycling it at home than leaving it at the store to be put in the regular trash.

Until there is better security for online banking, I will continue to bank offline. I agree there is no need to get ATM receipts, but some transactions do require proof for tax return purposes.