Do you still rely on cash?

Came across this interesting news article by the BBC regarding UK spending habits.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44973466

Despite the technological advancements in transaction methods, and the increasing rate of card purchases, 2-3 million UK residents still rely on cash.

Interesting question to everyone, where do you stand with carrying cash?
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Comments

  • PasturesNew
    PasturesNew Posts: 70,698 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    You can buy food with cash - and get a bus or taxi home - you can't do that with a bit of plastic if the systems are down.

    And that's the bottom line.

    You know where you are with cash. If I give you £5 I know I've paid you £5. If I give you plastic, I might be surprised to find there was a "glitch" and it got taken 4x, or became £500..... you can't trust what you can't see and touch.
  • iltisman
    iltisman Posts: 2,589 Forumite
    Its hard to barter with plastic. A Tesco bag full of cash can get a sellers attention. I bought a new car that way before large amounts of cash became suspicious.
  • pumpkin89
    pumpkin89 Posts: 671 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 500 Posts Name Dropper
    I don't rely on it as such - most of my transactions are on card - but I always carry cash and find there are a lot of circumstances in which it comes useful.

    One of the main issues for me is charity giving - loads of people give small change and it all adds up. I do use direct debit for my favourite charities, but it's all the little things like cake sales at work, the poppy appeal etc. that would lose out.
  • sleepymans
    sleepymans Posts: 907 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper
    I!!!8217;ve nothing to hide so I don!!!8217;t care if we are a cashless society or not.
    Maybe I!!!8217;d prefer the money launderers and crims to have a harder time, so, on balance I think I!!!8217;d prefer a cash,less society
    :A Goddess :A
  • wurley
    wurley Posts: 96 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    Cash is used for all sorts of transactions - keeps tiny businesses and little charity shops going as there aren't hidden charges for cash.

    Banks would be happy if we were cashless they would be rolling in virtual cash like numbers from transaction charges. :rotfl: KEEP
  • coffeehound
    coffeehound Posts: 5,741 Forumite
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    Some businesses like launderettes, some buses (Arriva), barbers, pubs still require cash.
  • jenniewb
    jenniewb Posts: 12,842 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    Yes, I do because I find it's easier to stick to a budget that way.
  • I use both. Though being unwaged at the moment due to health issues I prefer to use cash if I can. It helps me to keep within my budget allocations. It's easy to lose track of spending when making numerous chip and pin or contactless payments for small purchases. I prefer to use cards for larger purchases and cash for smaller ones. I hope never to be in a position where cash isn't used as a method of payment.
    df-MRes student
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    366 Day 1p Challenge 2020: £4.40/£671.61 / The £1,000 Emergency Fund Challenge [2020] #318: £10.90/£1000.00 / 2020 1% challenge [1% = £6.27] : £8.27/£627.41 / Make £2020 in 2020 #131: £10.00/£2020.00 / 2020 Frugal Living Challenge £00.00/£4000.00 / Make £10 a day in December [2018]: £33.00/£310.00 / Make £2018 in 2018: £104.50/£2018.00
  • Prinzessilein
    Prinzessilein Posts: 3,257 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    I am not prepared to go cashless just yet....

    The little baker across the way sells the most amazing toasty-tea-cakes...and only accepts cash, they don't even accept credit cards.

    Our 'Community Car' service (A company that will drive OAPs/Disabled People wherever they want to go at a very reasonable fare...basically petrol plus a minimal admin charge) will only accept cash....as do the local taxi cab firm.

    There is a charming local caf! run by a charity giving training and work-experience to young people with learning difficulties...they prefer cash- part of the training of the young people is learning to handle money.

    A number of the local market stalls are cash-only...included the chap from whom I buy fruit and veg.

    I have a debit card, and a newly acquired credit-card but there are still some things I prefer to pay for in cash - especially as so many of the small shops round here are cash-only...they simply don't have the facilities to accept cards.
  • Wizard_of_Id
    Wizard_of_Id Posts: 5,512 Forumite
    I don't 'rely' on cash, I prefer to use cash but that is a completely seperate question.

    I have yet to got to in person to buy something and been refused it because I am paying in cash.
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