Cash-Only Living Not So Affordable

Since January is a time for fresh starts, it's not unusual that this time of year brings with it the desire by some to "break free" of the financial mainstream. Articles like this one chronicle the eschewing of conventional banking and credit products in favor of living a cash-only existence.

The bottom line, as this writer and others who attempt similar stunts quickly find out, is that shunning mainstream banks is hard -- and expensive.