Could you live without cash?

takman

AElene wrote: »

I use cash for almost everything. Today I did some photocopying at the local convenience store for which I needed cash, though I suppose I could have paid with a card had the option been there. Then there's the launderette, and local shops where you don't want to pay with a card when it's just small amounts.

Also, it's so much easier to keep track of your spending and bank balance when you just use cash.

I think the complete opposite to you. I much prefer to use cards so I can see exactly where my money has been spent and keep track of the amount I have spent. Using something like a Monzo Card means you get an instant update of your purchases and balance and you can top it up with a certain amount if your on a set budget. You can then analyse you purchase in each category to see where your money has been spent. Definetly something that can't be done with cash.

I also don't think any amount is too small to pay by card. I have actually paid 1p by card in the past!.

phillw

motorguy wrote: »

Most of the window cleaner / handyman / car wash / market stall businesses arent "established" per se, and are more than happy to pocket cash rather than pay tax and VAT on it

They may not even turn over enough to have to pay VAT.

usefulmale

takman wrote: »

If your worried about your purchases being tracked then someone looking at your statements and seeing you spent X amount at a specific shop is the least of your worries.

What you should be concerned about are loyalty cards such as Tesco Clubcard and Nectar cards. They keep a record of every single purchase you make purely for marketing purposes. This seems to be exactly what your on about but you seem to have missed this is already happening and millions of people are voluntarily signing up to it.

Just out of interest do you have any loyalty cards?

No, I don't.

In the offline world, I use cash exclusively. I have a credit card for online purchases but it has not been activated for offline use.

Marvel1

Cake sale in work today, paid in cash, alternative method?

takman

usefulmale wrote: »

No, I don't.

In the offline world, I use cash exclusively. I have a credit card for online purchases but it has not been activated for offline use.

Just for your information If a credit card works on the internet it will work in card machines.

But I think your post is quite interesting and it shows that people are happy to trade their "privacy" for convenience and rewards; even someone like you who appears to prefer to remain as anonymous as possible. You have still decided that the convenience of shopping online is worth giving your personal information to a credit card company and to a website to buy something online.

takman

cjdavies wrote: »

Cake sale in work today, paid in cash, alternative method?

Well there is no reason why everyone couldn't have paid by card. A mobile card reader which also accepts contactless could have been used and they usually have a fixed fee of around 1.75% per transaction with no minimum payment (So only 1p per 50p spent).

jackieblack

cjdavies wrote: »

Cake sale in work today, paid in cash, alternative method?

takman wrote: »

Well there is no reason why everyone couldn't have paid by card. A mobile card reader which also accepts contactless could have been used and they usually have a fixed fee of around 1.75% per transaction with no minimum payment (So only 1p per 50p spent).

Where I work we don't have any mobile phone signal so mobile card readers don't work.

GaleSF63

If you mean could I live without cash right now, then no, too many things are not adapted to/don't allow other means of paying or are unreliable. If you mean could I live in a cashless society well I'd have to wouldn't I? I don't want to though.

takman

jackieblack wrote: »

Where I work we don't have any mobile phone signal so mobile card readers don't work.

Most workplaces have atleast one computer which usually means that have an internet connection on the premises.

martinthebandit

takman wrote: »

Most workplaces have atleast one computer which usually means that have an internet connection on the premises.

......but not all.