#1.)  When You're Shopping at a Small Business.  If you're at Wal-Mart, go ahead and pay however you want to.  But banks actually charge the STORE when you use a card . . . sometimes as much as 3% of your total purchase.

So it's better to pay with cash at a mom-and-pop store, because they get don't get charged for it. 

#2.)  When You're Leaving a Tip.  It depends on the restaurant, but sometimes the credit card tips don't get paid out to the servers until the end of the week.

And when you're working for tips, having cash-in-hand at the end of the night can make a difference.

Plus . . . and this probably isn't that common . . . but according to CreditCards.com, some restaurants actually make the SERVERS pay the bank charges.

#3.)  Anytime You Plan to Haggle.  Like at a flea market, because it's easier to bargain with someone when you're holding a bunch of bills in their face.

Plus, the vendors get charged if they run a card, just a like a small business does.  And since they KNOW they'll be charged, that could ALSO affect how low they go.

#4.)  When You're on a Budget.  Study after study shows that you spend less . . . because you BUY less . . . when you're paying with cash.

One reason is because you don't actually feel like you're parting with REAL money when you use a card.  Another is because paying with cash forces you to keep track of what you spend, because eventually you run out.

#5.)  When You're Buying Something You Might Have to Return.  Especially if it's a present for someone else, because if they return it and you used a card, they'll only be able to get store credit.

But even if it's something for YOU, you should still use cash, because sometimes it takes days before a refund ends up back in your bank account.  But if you pay with cash, you'll get it back immediately.