How much cash do you still use and how (card) light is your wallet?

db2016

Fingerbobs said:

db2016 said:

amazing how many people say cash is outdated, but they carry stamps lol.

Valid point. I don't really know why I carry stamps with me, as I rarely use them, and when I do I'm usually at home. Force of habit, as I've always kept them in my wallet, I suppose.

i carry the swiss card and other lil things like that, and they are very useful! - last night out i went on, i realised i had left a tag on (the shirt had about 4, totally unnessacery!) - whip out the lil scissors, and sorted. it satisfies the gadget geek in me too lol

db2016

MountainGoat88 said:

One last thought, as this Coronavirus is going around the biggest surprise is the number of people who seem to need a reminder to wash their hands, filthy individuals. Virus or not, cash is certainly not clean.

cards will be the same, fair enough it's not gone through as many "hands" but it still wont be pristine!

[Deleted User]

Only carry driving licence and one debit card (Starling bank) in small wallet. Only get money out when I need it as few places don't accept cards, namely local social club and the old timers who run it are too stubborn to get a card machine in (the type who draw off their whole penison in cash when it's paid). I usually will go for days without cash on me. I don't do store loyality cards as I just don't shop anywhere near enough to make it worth while. It's OK if you religiously go to Boots every week but I haven't set foot in one for years.

AstonSmith

db2016 said:

cards will be the same, fair enough it's not gone through as many "hands" but it still wont be pristine!

Not only that, but I wonder how many times the PIN pad is used by unwashed hands between cleans... 🤮

amandacat

drinae said:

I was talking to some of my colleagues at work and discovered that many of them still use cash quite often, and carry a lot of physical cards (not only debit and credit, but also rewards cards) with them, and they don't use Google Pay/Apple Pay/mobile pay features. I don't think of myself as being the first one to adopt new things - either technology or new ways of banking but, as compared to my colleagues, I realised that my purse was quite light...

So, just for fun: how light/heavy is your purse/wallet, usually? 

1. How much cash?
2. How many debit and credit cards? Which ones?
3. How many rewards/loyalty cards? Which ones do you carry?
4. What else do you carry in the wallet? (e.g. gym pass, travelcard, etc) 
5. Do you pay for things with your phone? Which app?

You can specify how many and also the names of the cards/apps if you want. My answers below.

1. £0. I only take cash out if I know I need it for something specific, and it never stays in my purse. 
2. 1 debit + 1 credit: Barclays and Barclaycard (*)
3. All are on Google pay, except one loyalty (stamp) card from my local coffee shop. 
4. Driver's license, Oyster card, Gym/library card, a couple of 1st class stamps
5. Almost daily, using Barclays contactless. 

* When abroad, I use a different combo: Nationwide FlexPlus and Halifax Clarity, as both are no-fee currency withdrawals and purchases. I actually don't have other debit and credit cards apart from these 4 (except when I apply for switch incentives, but these usually get closed straight away). 

1: anywhere between nothing and £5. 
2: 1 NatWest debit card. No credit cards. 
3: Tesco Clubcard 
4: Card driving licence
5. I don’t pay for things with my phone. I have never seen the value in this when I can just whip out my debit card but maybe I’m behind the times 

[Deleted User]

amandacat said:

5. I don’t pay for things with my phone. I have never seen the value in this when I can just whip out my debit card but maybe I’m behind the times 

Until they allow unlimited transaction value with phone payments then I agree it is a bit pointless as you still have to carry your card around for if you spend more than the £30 limit or whatever the shop decides.

blue.peter

amandacat said:

5. I don’t pay for things with my phone. I have never seen the value in this when I can just whip out my debit card but maybe I’m behind the times 

If you're behind the times, then so am I. Not only do I prefer cards, but I also often forget to pick up my phone when I go out.

Having said that, I generally pay by credit card rather than debit card. This allows me to maximise the amount I've got earning a little interest in savings accounts rather than earning none in my current account. It also maximises the cashback that American Express gives me. I do use my debit card occasionally*, but that's only because RBS is currently incentivising me to do so: one of the conditions for earning the £50 loyalty bonus due in the summer is that I use it at least once a month.

*£2/fortnight for Private Eye.

pearl123

I carry quite a bit of cash with me. £100-£200. I prefer to pay by cash.
I also have  credit card with me. I would hate to change to a cashless society. 

Lumiona

I carry anywhere between £20 and £40 but rarely use cash, it can stay in there for months.
I have a debit card and 2 credit cards, Amex and Mastercard for non Amex purchases. 
I keep all the loyalty cards on Stocard app, it was getting ridiculous, I only carry Costco and NUS card. I'll add my IKEA card if I'm going there. 

HellsGranny

I'm very behind the times; I prefer Coin of the Realm. (it is the only Guaranteed currency!) I usually take 100 out of a hole in the wall for shopping, although being disabled, I get my major shop delivered and pay on my debit card. I am 72.

I have one debit card, no credit cards. I don't travel so I don't need one.

Loyalty cards, Tesco, and Waitrose, although that one is now redundant as my nearest Waitrose in 70+ miles away! (and I no longer drive due to failing sight)

I do not have a smart Phone, so I don't pay that way. I don't have contactless card, (I'm a guaranteed fossil! also very suspicious. My purse is chained in my pocket and I don't use a handbag.)