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Original poster

How many of you carry cash nowerdays?

132 replies

RedDiamond · 08/12/2022 18:16

I was walking past a charity collector and was sort of ambushed. By that I mean she blocked my way and rattled her bucket before me. I had to explain that I do not carry cash normally so had nothing to put in her bucket. The last time I emptied my purse out I gave it to a homeless young person near to where I live.

The charity collector was very indignant and told me she never went without cash in her purse. I got used to no cash during Covid. I also do online shopping for food and anything else I need. She cannot have been more than 10/15 years older than me but she made me feel embarrassed. Is it an old school thing?

The only time I have cash now is if I know I HAVE to pay in cash and will go to an ATM.

How many of you also do not carry cash or not a lot of cash anymore?

OP posts:
Happyher · 09/12/2022 15:19

I’m the same as you OP. since covid I only need cash to pay my window cleaner and hairdresser. If I know I’m going somewhere I might need it I draw out the minimum amount necessary and otherwise only have it if someone’s given it me for some reason

redferrari · 09/12/2022 15:19

I am trying to keep 10-20£ on me per week. I don't always use it but it been helpful. But it's weird many say no cash for small purchases even if I have exact change.

FredaFox · 09/12/2022 15:46

lookersnoopy · 08/12/2022 18:26

'I don't carry cash' doesn't work anymore, they carry bloody card readers with them these days.

I said that to a hooky joke book seller in Manchester last week, he said it's ok I have a card reader
No chance pal

Kazzyhoward · 09/12/2022 15:52

SinnerBoy · 09/12/2022 12:31

I like to have money for small purchases from the grocer, butcher etc. If you spend 2 Quid and use your card, they are still charged a flat fee.

Like others here, I like to have some coins for trolleys and parking meters etc.

That depends on which card processor they have chosen to use. There are now "zero fee" card processors which only charge a percentage (very small) of the transaction value which are ideal for places doing lots of small value transactions.

RambamThankyouMam · 09/12/2022 15:53

MajorCarolDanvers · 08/12/2022 18:25

Just checking is this a thread about carrying cash or a another charity bashing thread?

Some charities need bashing due to their frankly aggressive and threatening fundraising techniques!

Kazzyhoward · 09/12/2022 15:53

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 09/12/2022 12:03

I have an emergency tenner.

Yep, same here, I have a tenner in my phone case, but it's been there for months! I have a pot of coins in the car for car parks, but rarely use any these days as the car parks I tend to use have tokens where you pay for the time used at the machine which accepts cards.

Newnamefor2021 · 09/12/2022 15:54

I never used to but I'm self employed and some People pay me in cash. I quite enjoy having a bit of cash on me. I'm pretty low right now with spending it but I still probably have £150 on me and my husband has about £60. But like I say prior to this I never had any cash and hated school sending out letter with cash needed. If I have it I give cash to small businesses.

CatJumperTwat · 09/12/2022 15:55

I haven't carried any cash on me for about 10 years. It's never inconvenienced me and the only time I ever wish I had cash is when I see a homeless person, but there's nearly always an ATM nearby.

SageMist · 09/12/2022 15:58

I stopped carrying cash at the start of the first lockdown and haven't needed to use it since.

lljkk · 09/12/2022 16:09

@RedDiamond, do you try to contribute to charities in other ways, perhaps volunteering or direct debits?

DipmeinChoc · 09/12/2022 16:09

I don't ĥave any cash on me. It's annoying for the £1 school requests.

nannyl · 09/12/2022 16:12

I have an emergancy £10 not folded in my phone cover.

I have a few odd coins in the car for emergancy car parking if the machine doesnt take card.

all my loyalty cards are apps on my phone.

I leave the house with phone and bank card in the phone case and my car keys and thats it! No cash

lunathestral · 09/12/2022 16:14

I don't carry cash or even a card anymore, everything is done on my watch.

stopringingme · 09/12/2022 16:23

I only use a card for online shopping, everything else is cash - I feel more in control of what I am spending whilst out and can keep to a budget.

SinnerBoy · 09/12/2022 16:25

Kazzyhoward · Today 15:52

That depends on which card processor they have chosen to use. There are now "zero fee" card processors which only charge a percentage (very small) of the transaction value which are ideal for places doing lots of small value transactions.

Oh, that's interesting. I was in our local grocer's a few weeks ago and a lady paid 60p or something, using her card. After she left, one of the till assistants said that it had wiped out the profit, but that they don't decline card payments.

Original poster
RedDiamond · 09/12/2022 16:25

lljkk · 09/12/2022 16:09

@RedDiamond, do you try to contribute to charities in other ways, perhaps volunteering or direct debits?

Yes I do 2 monthly direct debits. One to the RNLI because I am a sailor and the second to Cancer Research.

As I said earlier, IF I had had the cash, I would have put in the bucket, I just do not carry any anymore.

OP posts:
Pinksmyfavoritecolour · 09/12/2022 16:44

I use cash as much as possible, makes me keep an eye on what I buy, and budget better.

Cas112 · 09/12/2022 16:44

Me

YellowTreeHouse · 09/12/2022 16:52

lljkk · 09/12/2022 16:09

@RedDiamond, do you try to contribute to charities in other ways, perhaps volunteering or direct debits?

Why should she? Nobody is obligated to give to charity in any way at all.

sanityisamyth · 09/12/2022 16:56

Can't remember the last time I needed to use it! I only ever go out with my keys in one pocket and my phone in the other.

notacooldad · 09/12/2022 20:59

I used cash tonight. I bought Ice creams at the pantomine and a round of drinks from the bar. It was cash only.

randomsabreuse · 09/12/2022 21:10

I'm lucky if I've got my wallet nowadays, had to get some cash deliberately for kids Christmas fayre so I'll have some for a while now...

BorisJohnsonsHair · 09/12/2022 21:21

I usually carry a few pound coins and a £20 note.

PS it's spelled nowadays, just in case you need to use it again

caringcarer · 09/12/2022 22:10

I only ever have a £20 note. I have a lot of pound coins and change in car though for parking.

slowquickstep · 09/12/2022 22:46

Australia has just advised it's resident's to have cash at home in case there are powercuts, what will all you cashless mumsnetters do if you can't pay for food in the event of a powercut ?