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AIBU?

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Original poster

Do you still use cash?

283 replies

BitchesBeSniffin · 03/06/2024 20:34

Just had a discussion with my DH about this and am wondering which of us is in the minority in the world of Mumsnet.

YABU: I still use cash and make sure I always have some on me

YANBU: I barely ever / never use cash

OP posts:
S0livagant · 05/06/2024 12:13

BarcardiWithGadaffia · 05/06/2024 10:49

Where in the country are you, I've never ever seen notes in the street but if you're nearby it might be worth me popping over

On the other hand I've never lost any money when getting it out of my purse so I can't say I'm surprised not to have found any

Show quote history

I only found a note in the street in 2020. I think other people were just too scared to touch it 😆.

parkrun500club · 05/06/2024 11:46

bravissimore · 03/06/2024 23:35

I would prefer if cash didn't die out.
Once we are in the realm of digital payments only we can be completely tracked. There's always a trail.
People will say that's a good thing as it's only baddies who worry about that. But they are wrong. It's a personal freedom. Not all state actors are benign.

Having said that, it's the convenience of tapping that will kill cash. I always dread the thought of handing over a fiver or ten pound note and then getting back a huge mix of coins , many of which like 5p, 2p and 1p are unusable. I actually think dropping every coin smaller than 50p would really help. It would also put a stop to people charging bloody 99p or 9.99

And I noticed that if I used cash in a Sainsburys self serve till it always gave me small change. So for example if I spent £3.70 and put £5 in the machine it would give me a £1 coin but the rest of the change would come in small denominations like 5p and 2p coins, rather than a 20p and 10p. Much easier to use a card as a consequence, and now lots of the machines won't take cash anyway.

BobbyBiscuits · 05/06/2024 11:44

I think it needs to remain easily available to all that want it. It's still a very important part of our economy and I do try and use it where I can.
There are increasingly few places to get cash, which is very frustrating. My mum is very fond of it. For example she doesn't want to go out the house with a bank card with thousands on it (she's been robbed several times) and would rather just carry the cash she needs. She's not smartphone savvy and barely uses a regular mobile. I know that's a minority but it should still be catered for.

parkrun500club · 05/06/2024 11:39

I generally use my card now, but always have a £10 in the back of my phone for emergencies. I also keep £10 in the car plus a few coins for parking (as so many machines now either take cash or cards and I don't want to faff around with an app).

My mum likes cash as she finds it easier to budget.

Idontjetwashthefucker · 05/06/2024 11:36

I use cash regularly

NattyTurtle · 05/06/2024 11:33

BarcardiWithGadaffia · 05/06/2024 10:49

Where in the country are you, I've never ever seen notes in the street but if you're nearby it might be worth me popping over

On the other hand I've never lost any money when getting it out of my purse so I can't say I'm surprised not to have found any

Show quote history

Sorry I'm not in the UK 😂It's not something that happens a lot, but I have found money on the street, or at an event. Probably not so much now that so few people use cash - but I did find a coin on the street yesterday!!

Incidentally, we have a new library and they no longer take cash (for fines, copying etc.).

luckylavender · 05/06/2024 10:53

It's quite dangerous to have a cashless society and it disadvantages the poorest. Don't give up on cash!

BarcardiWithGadaffia · 05/06/2024 10:49

NattyTurtle · 05/06/2024 10:19

Well I have never experienced a card machine going down. Yes, I know it happens but it's hardly an everyday occurance. What if you lose your cash, or have it stolen? I have in the past pulled out a note and another one has come out of my wallet at the same time, unknown to me. Surely you must have seen cash lying on the path/street sometime in your life? I know I have, on more than one occasion.

Show quote history

Where in the country are you, I've never ever seen notes in the street but if you're nearby it might be worth me popping over

On the other hand I've never lost any money when getting it out of my purse so I can't say I'm surprised not to have found any

S0livagant · 05/06/2024 10:45

brunettemic · 05/06/2024 07:32

It’s literally never happened to me so it’s not easier to have emergency cash, especially as, to my original point, it’s not an emergency.

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It's a phrase. Just means a twenty or something in your phone case or wallet to cover the 'essentials' (of course nothing is really essential as argued on the 2020 threads 🙄). It's only not easier if you can't afford to keep that amount aside, but even then you could spend it at the end of the month then replace it.

fieldsofbutterflies · 05/06/2024 10:20

What if the card machines go down?

What if you lose your cash?

NattyTurtle · 05/06/2024 10:19

mydogisthebest · 05/06/2024 07:50

Strange attitude to have. What if the card machines go down?

Show quote history

Well I have never experienced a card machine going down. Yes, I know it happens but it's hardly an everyday occurance. What if you lose your cash, or have it stolen? I have in the past pulled out a note and another one has come out of my wallet at the same time, unknown to me. Surely you must have seen cash lying on the path/street sometime in your life? I know I have, on more than one occasion.

mydogisthebest · 05/06/2024 07:50

Jc2001 · 04/06/2024 21:30

If they insist on cash they lose the sale with me.

Everything goes on the credit card.

Edited
Show quote history

Strange attitude to have. What if the card machines go down?

brunettemic · 05/06/2024 07:32

S0livagant · 04/06/2024 23:05

It's a pain when you've just walked 20 minutes for milk and bread or similar. Far easier just to have emergency cash.

Show quote history

It’s literally never happened to me so it’s not easier to have emergency cash, especially as, to my original point, it’s not an emergency.

S0livagant · 04/06/2024 23:05

brunettemic · 04/06/2024 22:57

What are the odds of it being an actual emergency though? If I was in a supermarket and there’s a tech glitch it’s not emergency, I just can’t buy what I’ve gone in for.

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It's a pain when you've just walked 20 minutes for milk and bread or similar. Far easier just to have emergency cash.

brunettemic · 04/06/2024 22:59

The only thing I use cash for is when DS gets his hair cut. I’m Apple Pay all the way.

brunettemic · 04/06/2024 22:57

FlippetyFlop77 · 03/06/2024 20:42

Extremely high. There have been loads of tech glitches recently with banks and supermarkets. It's been all over the media. Always a good idea to have a bit of cash to hand imo

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What are the odds of it being an actual emergency though? If I was in a supermarket and there’s a tech glitch it’s not emergency, I just can’t buy what I’ve gone in for.

DreamTheMoors · 04/06/2024 22:53

I’m in California.
Went to a new shop for a haircut the other day.
The day before my appointment, I got a text reminder saying, “We don’t take debit or credit cards. No Apple Pay.”
What business in the 21st century only accepts cash?
I took cash, but I had to make a stop at the bank first.
I was forced to, wasn’t I.

Magpie50 · 04/06/2024 22:48

I like to keep some cash for emergencies. So I have twenty quid in my dog walking bag, work bag and purse (you never know when you might see an ice cream van!)😀
Also have a few hundred cash at home for emergencies as some tradesmen still prefer cash.

Handy to have as well, only a few weeks ago contactless payments weren't working in several shops in my town.

YourPinkDog · 04/06/2024 22:42

Jc2001 · 04/06/2024 21:30

If they insist on cash they lose the sale with me.

Everything goes on the credit card.

Edited
Show quote history

The best family run restaurants here tend to be cash only. The chains love cards though.

Xyz1234567 · 04/06/2024 22:10

I have a £1 trolley coin. That's it.

NattyTurtle · 04/06/2024 22:08

BotterMon · 04/06/2024 15:40

Just by asking. So if buying something I always ask how much for cash whatever if may be (obviously not in supermarkets or chain stores) but you'd be surprised how much discount you can get by doing this.

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I very much doubt that would work here, businesses would rather not take cash.

Alicewinn · 04/06/2024 21:46

Had to get cash to pay the builder - felt so weird

S0livagant · 04/06/2024 21:42

I don't always take my phone and cards with me because my pockets aren't big enough. Often I might just have my front door key and some notes.

RosesAndHellebores · 04/06/2024 21:40

@Himitsu I do!

Jc2001 · 04/06/2024 21:30

Himitsu · 03/06/2024 20:38

No and it really pisses me off when a place asks for cash because wtf carries cash these days??

If they insist on cash they lose the sale with me.

Everything goes on the credit card.

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