Don't pay by cash or check: Use your cell phone instead

Are you ready to give up cash and checks and start using your credit card exclusively? You might just be able to do that -- if you own a smartphone.

Seems that now that almost everyone with a cell phone is quickly exchanging it for a smartphone, several companies are betting good money that these phones will be used for almost everything -- including paying for your morning cup of joe or the drinks at that cash-only bar after work. According to The New York Times, cash as payment has declined as debit and credit card use has risen. And now, mobile-payment technologies from PayPal, Intuit, VeriFone and Square are making it even easier and more affordable for anyone from your housecleaner to the farmer you buy heirloom tomatoes from to start taking credit card payments.