Could you live without cash?

Former_MSE_Andrea · 12 September 2017 at 12:03PM

Hi everyone!

The BBC thinks Sweden is coming close to being a cashless society.

Do you think that would work in the UK?

Could you live without cash?

Could your kids? Do they need to learn about all money including coins?

Do you think it's inevitable we'll eventually go cashless?

What do you use coins for now that you don't think you could do without if they didn't exist?

Why Sweden is close to becoming a cashless economy

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ska_lover · 12 September 2017 at 12:14PM

For the most part, but there are transactions that are cash only - window cleaners for example

badmemory · 12 September 2017 at 12:29PM

cash only window cleaners, handiman gardeners, certain petrol stations, certain takeaways/drug money laundering shops (or so I've been told!!). Not particularly because I want to use cash but I don't want them to have the card info or even my name in some cases.

moneyistooshorttomention · 12 September 2017 at 12:39PM

I have mixed feelings about this.

All of my income is/always has been 100% "legit":D. So I've never put a foot wrong in that respect and don't approve of others doing so either basically (excepting those genuinely on the Dole - as I know darn well they literally aren't being paid enough to live on due to no fault of their own).

On the other hand - our privacy is being invaded in way too many ways over recent years and those people who "behave ourselves" are entitled to keep our private lives private - and that includes our spending.

On the reverse direction - and with being a poorly-paid single person (poor salary prior to retirement and poor pension after retirement) means there have been occasions where I've paid workmen less than I'd have otherwise had to by paying them in cash. I admit it's something I disapprove of doing on the one hand - but I know I've had to pay out a lot more on tax/housing costs/bills over the years courtesy of being single and it's one of the few ways available to me to try and recoup some of those extra "single person costs" (eg paying 75% of a house's Council Tax bill - rather than the 50% I'd be paying if married). I haven't chosen to be single - just couldnt find The One in order to get married...so....:cool:

If our banking system got hacked or Government imposing unreasonable restrictions on getting at our own money - then it helps to know one has some cash to hand hackers and Government alike can't touch.

Or put in one phrase = There's no easy answers.

northwalesd · 12 September 2017 at 12:43PM

Yes - IF we were to follow the Swedish model, where there is no minimum transaction amount. As it is, many places only allow cards over a certain value of purchases.

One takeaway I use quite often doesn't take cards at all, so have to use cash there.

Friends have window cleaners that they pay electronically, so no reason all of them couldn't do that.

I believe we will, at some point, end up as a cashless society.

WibblyGirly · 12 September 2017 at 12:52PM

Yes I could. So long as there were no minimum spends or extra charges added on for using cards.

donnac2558 · 12 September 2017 at 12:55PM

No. Small local shops near me charge for using your card and topping up electric etc has be cash only. Also you need to spend over £10 if only going in for some cheap you cannot use.

slbhill · 12 September 2017 at 1:29PM

I use cash less and less these days. But no I couldn't go totally cashless, particularly where children are concerned.

What about paying £1 for the bouncy castle at the town fair, and things of that nature?

Cashless spending for kids is a problem too, there are spending cards for children but it would be too hard for younger ones to keep track of although it's probably good practice for older children.

Most schools (where I am, at least) still require payment for trips, school lunches etc. by either cash or cheques but the banks are trying to do away with cheques.

Kim_13 · 12 September 2017 at 1:36PM

Parking. They add surcharges for paying by text.

Marvel1 · 12 September 2017 at 1:37PM

No, I put money in birthday cards.

Hermia · 12 September 2017 at 1:39PM

I use cards as much as possible, but I also frequently use cash because I use local independent shops. It would cost the local bakery and greengrocers a fortune to take cards because most of their transactions are a few pounds. I wonder if Swedish businesses don't have to pay the card fees businesses do here, or whether they have some other alternative that means the profit on a small transaction doesn't get wiped out by fees?

Could you live without cash?

Could you live without cash? 164 votes

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