Times I have needed cash this fortnight

[marymarkle]

I know there are some on here who say they never ever use cash. I don't know how they manage. Like most people I use a mixture of bards and cash.
So in the fortnight the times I have had to use cash are as follows.

Buying the Big Issue. I assume those who never use cash never buy the Big Issue.
Paying for drinks at a cash bar at a wedding. Very posh venue, but cash bar only, no cards.
Getting the bus into town. I live in a City where the buses only take cash or a bought bus card. I hardly ever use the bus, so no point buying a bus pass, so I used cash. You can not use a card.
Went to a local vintage fair today. This is a small fair and the best stalls are always some people who do this as a hobby/to make a bit of extra money, and none of them take cards. I assume because of the cost of taking cards.
Paid a tip by cash in a restaurant. I always pay tips in cash so servers get the whole amount. Even the best places take an admin fee.

By refusing to use cash I would have negatively affected my life this fortnight and not supported someone who is homeless.

MissMaisel That is simply untrue. Virtually everyone uses cards and cash. Most people are saying they use cash at times because there is no other option and also explaining why some businesses have a minimum spend for cards. It is a few posters who say they never use cash that are being patronising and superior in their comments.

Reflectant You were the one earlier in the thread saying it was cheaper for businesses to use cards than cash. So not true for small businesses then.

My friend Big Issue Man has a card reader.

Even at face value, that is 0.83% on cash, 1.1% on cards. Had all the cash payment been cards instead, it would have cost an additional £13.45, 0.13% of turnover. You'll pardon me for not thinking that an existential threat to businesses.

Completely missed the point. What IS an existential threat would be if that shop stopped accepting cash whilst the one down the road continued to take it. That could mean a potential halving of it's sales which certainly would be an existential threat.

As said many times on here, just what is the problem with both to give people choice.

The reality is most businesses in the high street need all the business they can get. So most will continue to accept cards and cash. A tiny number will be cash or card only.

cash only locally

1.youth group at local church £2 weekly,

1. village shop only cards over £5 so if you just want milk or a newspaper it's cash only
2. charity cafe in local church lovely home baking need the cash to get cake!!!!
3. car park in town but I mostly park slightly further away for free

personally I tend to use cash for small stuff under £5 but even so £100 lasts me a few months, DH uses cash a lot more
I sell on ebay and as numerous people point out will only take cash on collection taking Paypal for collection items is a big NO NO

You were the one earlier in the thread saying it was cheaper for businesses to use cards than cash. So not true for small businesses then.

So exactly true. Are you seriously saying that five grand in cash only costs thirteen quid to count and transport to the bank?

What IS an existential threat would be if that shop stopped accepting cash whilst the one down the road continued to take it.

No one is saying that they should. But several posters, including I think you, are claiming that my paying for a bag of crisps with a card is going to break businesses. Your numbers show how untrue that is.

I pay for everything with cash, apart from online purchases. I find it easier to keep track of my outgoings that way.

As I’ve said there is a pub near me that doesn’t take cash. Does a roaring trade. I’m willing to be they would do less if they didn’t take cards.
Anyway, in most situations it is not an either or.
Like I’ve said, I don’t give a shit how other people pay. I don’t understand how people can possibly think that using a card because it’s the most convenient for me is ‘virtue signally’. (And that isn’t what virtue signaling means)

Are you seriously saying that five grand in cash only costs thirteen quid to count and transport to the bank?

It costs nothing as the owner counts it himself during his normal working day - no extra cost. He takes it to the post office to bank. Whether he takes £500 or £5000, his time and shoe leather is the same, so no extra cost. The £13 is the amount the bank charges.

I have to pay school dinner money either by cash or cheque, the after school club DS2 goes to only takes cash, various non-uniform days etc.

I never use cash, but live in a town. Only time I find myself stuck is hospital car parks.

As an aside I was told by the fraud team at our bank that apple pay and android pay are highly targetted by fraudsters so if you use them keep an eye on your transactions.

That's what I wonder nrp. The people who pay for everything by card, Applepay etc must have bank or credit card statements a mile long. So it would be quite tricky spotting any fraudulent transactions hidden within all the hundreds of real ones, if people bother to check them at all.

And yes I am aware that you can get an alert on your phone and no I do not want my phone telling me about every time I buy a coffee.

"I never use cash. Ever"

apart from....

"Occasionally I do have to spend £5"

So it would be quite tricky spotting any fraudulent transactions hidden within all the hundreds of real ones

I check my online bank every day or two, and see what comes in and goes out. It's usually the same amounts for coffees, lunch etc.
I'd notice straight away if a card transaction didn't add up.
My online statements scroll right back.

The people who pay for everything by card, Applepay etc must have bank or credit card statements a mile long

I don't get paper statements, i probably check my banking app at least once a day, so it's easy to check as its broken down to see in small chunks iyswim. I also use a budgeting app, so if there's a difference between the budget app and my account its a quick flag up that something might be wrong/something has gone out that shouldn't have.

In restaurants, it's an utter pain in the arse when some of the group want to pay by card. You haven't a clue who's paid what and it either ends up under or over at the end

Splitting a bill really is such basic maths and if it gives you such a headache that you need to count out the exact pennies in front of you then you probably shouldn’t go out for dinner

What’s wrong with “£20 each, XYZ are paying in cash, ABC paying by card”

Only time I use cash is for the window cleaner, and usually have to raid the kids' money boxes and pay them back.

MissMaisel No you obviously have not RTFT. As I have said over and over I posted this as I simply do not understand how anyone with children can never ever need to use cash at all.
The other comments you quote were in response to some other posters who were being very superior and patronising and acting as if we were idiots to have to use cash at times, or at the very least must live in an incredibly rural area.

I always carry an emergency £20 tucked into my phone case In case I need a taxi home if I'm in pain.. I have mild cp I pay my hairdresser and local salon where I have a brow wax as they don't take cards
I've started drawing a weekly £30 as I find its way too easy to just use card then get a shock on my bank statement I have a free bus pass due to disability and don't drive

And you must have missed that we are all card users.