Nearly half of Americans say they prefer to write fewer checks while more than 50% say they prefer not to carry cash around. Therefore consumers are using their credit and charge cards more than ever to charge everything from property taxes to groceries to postage stamps.

According to the latest American Express 'Everyday Spending' Index, Americans are increasingly comfortable using charge and credit cards for small, daily purchases.  More than half of those surveyed (54%) said they believe it is acceptable to use cards for items under $20, compared with 45% in 1999. A notable number of respondents say it is important for credit cards to be accepted for such recurring household expenses as rent/mortgage (17%), car payment/lease (15%), property taxes (14%) and life insurance (12%).

Among other interesting findings of the latest AmEx survey Ninety-four percent of Americans balance their checkbooks at least once a month, 85% are aware of their current checking account balances and 81% say they know the amount of their credit card balances.  Additionally, more than half (64%) set a household budget for everyday expenses. While the American Express survey found that men and women share household financial management, the data also shows that roles vary.  For example, the survey found that while more women (72%) than men (52%) handle the bill-paying at home, more men (57%) than women (43%) make financial investment decisions. Not surprisingly, therefore, women are more on top of the household bank balance (87%) than men (83%).

According to the American Express survey, consumers are turning to the Internet for household shopping and budgeting needs.  For example, among those surveyed who take care of the household finances, 12% report going online to do their banking, and 8% pay bills online. Additionally, consumers are increasingly comfortable making Internet purchases.  Forty-six percent of those who have computer and Internet accessreported shopping online in 2000, vs. 29% in 1999.  While purchases in categories such as books and music/videos remain the most popular, more than one-third (38%) report using the Internet to alleviate the demands of having to shop for everyday items.  These include health/beauty products (13%), pet products (9%), subscriptions (8%), prescriptions (6%), postage (5%) and groceries (4%).