Do you still use cash?

[youngsyr]

Bluebarge said:

youngsyr said:

There is a massive trend away from cash transactions

Only because it is cheaper to process and easier for the authorities to trace than physical cash. Next time we have another bank run/major financial crisis (read up about Argentina) or a serious power outage you will understand the drawback of waving your phone at someone to pay for everything.
Cash is still very,very important.

Those aren't the only reasons for the trend, four other big ones are:

- Consumers don't have to carry cash (security and inconvenience)
- Retailers don't have to hold large amounts of cash, or process it, or take it to the bank (security and inconvenience)
- Vast improvements in online commerce and banking now makes paying and keeping track of finances electronically much easier
- A significant crack down on large cash payments under anti-money laundering regulations over the past 10 years

As for your final point, we've seen the greatest financial crisis in 70 years, including runs on banks and yet the trend towards cashless payments continues unabated.

[Grandad Gaz]

OllieC said:

people in front of me at the bar paying with cards are annoying. (don't even get me started on people who order coffee)

Cash for the pub and corner shops, that's about it.

Agree with that!

I was behind a young woman in Costas the other day. She unrolled a huge wallet of cards and used one to pay for a coffee, total cost about £2.40

It's a bit sad if you don't keep a couple of quid in loose change for such things.

[Rollin]

Generally always use cash. Not used a cash machine for ages in the UK though....Probably over 3 years.

[duckers26]

Grandad Gaz said:

Agree with that!

I was behind a young woman in Costas the other day. She unrolled a huge wallet of cards and used one to pay for a coffee, total cost about £2.40

It's a bit sad if you don't keep a couple of quid in loose change for such things.

This is why contactless payment needs to be rolled out properly, I would have done the same. To be honest tapping a few numbers into a card machine probably takes no longer than going to the till, ringing up the amount and counting the change.

[birdcage]

You want to get served quicker in a bar of pub cash helps. You can't wave your debit card around and have the same effect, allows you leave a decent tip too meaning you will get served quickly again.

Not carrying cash is for women. I get a lot of black cabs and they always say women are a nightmare as they very rarely have cash so they have to find somewhere to park etc.

If I see a fella buying a sandwich with a debit card I always think man up and get some dosh out!

Also, people who get cash out and then study the slip that comes out still in front of the machine as if it contains the meaning of life.

I am an impatient soul and cash expedites things no question.

[Pistom]

Cash is for Luddites. I hate standing behind the granny in the grocers whilst she counts her pounds out for her weekly shop. I'd be happy to have a chip n pin medical implant so I don't even have to carry a card around.

I give my loose change to the niece to spend on sweets and toys.

[Jimmy No Hands]

Rarely carry cash, don't know why. I tend to spend for the sake of it when its on hand. Always use my card, even for a £3 coffee or the likes. Can tell some of the cashiers think 'really?' but I've always been like that.

[zac510]

I still use cash mostly. Card for anything over £30.

For the small change I have a jar at home and a jar on the desk at work and if I'm going to grab a coffee I can pick out the exact change for what I'm buying.

I just prefer the simplicity of cash.

[James_N]

As I work nights, I keep a few quid in my pocket in case I decide to nip the shop and get a pack of biscuits of can of coke but i do the majority of my shopping online, so only ever use card.

[brickwall]

birdcage said:

I get a lot of black cabs and they always say women are a nightmare as they very rarely have cash so they have to find somewhere to park etc.

This is one of the many reasons why Hailo is so good. And Uber etc. I used to keep £70 on me principally for cabs, now I don't bother. It's great.

[duckers26]

Most cabs have card readers so another place we no longer need cash!

[birdcage]

duckers26 said:

Most cabs have card readers so another place we no longer need cash!

l

They always have a Tesco's carrier bag over them and they never work!

[megapixels83]

Only time I use cash is if there is a minimum card limit, all other times I use my credit card as I earn airmiles and a companion flight ticket.

When abroad I use the FairFX Eur or USD pre paid card. I once bought a 70 cents bottle of water with my card and the clerk was not fussed.

[rehab71]

I use cash a lot.

It fks me off waiting for some utter tool paying for a pack of 50p gum with their bloody debit card. And guess what happens when the banks systems goes Pete Tong, you can't use you card to pay for things a cup of coffee or a cab fair for example.

I always have £100-£200 in my wallet.

[Pet Troll]

I use the self service checkouts at tesco waitrose and if it comes to less then £10 I just empty the coin part of my wallet into the machine to pay for it (I dislike having a fat wallet from too many coins). The other day I did the above and it said there was 5p left to pay, but I had no more coins left and didn't want to break into a £20 note, so I paid the 5p balance by card!

[AB]

I use cash quite a lot.

Normally I will take cash out prior to going into a shop, more than I need, and end up with stashes all over the place.

Handy when going through our accounts and the OH can't see where the money has been spent... Haha.

[Pints]

Card user here.

[jeff m2]

I use cash, too much sometimes.
Credit Card for stuff that costs more than is in my wallet.

Cash Card users, do you reconcile your account?

[Pippage]

Indeed, the reconciliation decides it for me- less work involved using cash than entering a receipt into the accounts, then reconciling the transaction come month end...

[Odie]

I prefer to use cash, I can budget better that way, get a certain amount of cash out the machine on pay day once its gone, I cant eat, makes me far more aware of how much money ive got than using my card and trying to work it out in my head.

Plus supermarkets marry your card details to your purchase history. Then they can sell on the info for targeted marketing.

Edited by Odie on Saturday 7th December 14:11