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When was the last time you used Cash?

243 replies

bbforpp · 12/07/2023 22:59

1 month ago

OP posts:
MrsAvocet · 13/07/2023 11:44

I parked in a carpark where the machine only took coins last week. It generated quite a nice community spirit actually with a number of people going through their pockets and looking under their carseats to help the lad of about 20 who said he never carries cash amass the 65p he needed!

Ginmonkeyagain · 13/07/2023 11:46

Monday to pay for a hastily hailed cab in Paris to get to Gare de Nord (thanks for the 45 min delay SNCF!)

OldTinHat · 13/07/2023 11:55

Every Sunday for my cleaner and monthly at the pub to pay for quiz and raffle tickets.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 13/07/2023 11:56

Bought some small memento item for Gdd after her school choir concert a couple of weeks ago. They didn’t take cards! Luckily I had an ‘emergency’ tenner.

Precipice · 13/07/2023 11:57

@SmartHome it's not that I think using cash makes you untraceable or that it cancels out the general surveillance system. It's that between the system in which cash payments exist and a system in which all payments are cashless, there is still a difference. It is still better for privacy to encourage cash payments, even in the context of limited privacy in other spheres. We should where possible act in ways that contribute to uphold systems we support rather than in ways that contribute to upholding systems we oppose.

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 13/07/2023 12:12

Today, supermarket, where I usually pay in cash

SmartHome · 13/07/2023 12:13

I don't blanket oppose digital systems. And I don't condone the illegal drugs trade/organisef crime or money laundering, all of which are enabled by the privacy of cash systems. I doubt many punters are paying via Apple Pay. All systems are imperfect and have flaws, cash vs digital is not automatically better for society or even the individual, is my point.

IncomingTraffic · 13/07/2023 12:14

Precipice · 13/07/2023 11:57

@SmartHome it's not that I think using cash makes you untraceable or that it cancels out the general surveillance system. It's that between the system in which cash payments exist and a system in which all payments are cashless, there is still a difference. It is still better for privacy to encourage cash payments, even in the context of limited privacy in other spheres. We should where possible act in ways that contribute to uphold systems we support rather than in ways that contribute to upholding systems we oppose.

Cash payments and limiting the traceability of money in the economy isn’t necessarily a socially desirable outcome though.

it is more nuanced than privacy (good) v surveillance (bad).

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 13/07/2023 12:22

*I have nothing to hide so I don't care about anonymity.

This is not an argument. Do you not care about privacy in any other area of life? You'd happily undress and go to the toilet in full view, because you have no time for privacy? Why does wanting privacy imply wrongdoing to you?*

When the Blair govt proposed ID cards there was a comment on a now defunct site that stuck with me about 'nothing to hide, nothing to fear' - and it was along the lines of 'who gets to define 'nothing'? do you know who it is and do you have any control over them and how they define 'nothing'? what happens if the definition of 'nothing' changes so that it means you DO have something you want kept quiet?'

As this poster points out, the idea has caught hold that 'privacy' is equated with 'wrongdoing.' Like the way some posters imply that taking cash automatically means a company or shop is on the fiddle.

PuttingDownRoots · 13/07/2023 12:30

A quick explanation about why our Scout group takes camp payments in cash...

Biggest outlay is food. We get that from a variety of sources (supermarket/cash and carry/butcher who does us a bulk deal).
If we have cash payments, the Scout leader can either pay on his own card (and take cash out of kitty) or use the collected cash directly. He then provides receipts to treasurer with the change.
If the money is paid into Scout Bank account... he has to buy it all himself, submit the claim to the treasurer, who needs to get the cheque countersigned, then the Scout leader has to pay it into his account and wait for it to clear.

sawnotseen · 13/07/2023 12:41

Couple of weeks ago in a nail bar that only takes cash. Only place I ever use cash. Get it out at the cash point next door then pay. The bill have a fiver left but that's the only time I'll have cash in my purse.

lljkk · 13/07/2023 12:46

Today, so far, to buy
1 box of stuff for DS
2 flapjacks for me

You're reminding me DS needs to pay me back

Yesterday: to buy my train ticket on the train. Sometimes collectors can't get reception so cards/tech won't work, always want cash on train... wifi also no longer works there & if my phone can't get reception, I can't then buy a ticket with phone, either, not until I get to destination.

lljkk · 13/07/2023 12:47

A lot of our local brick & morter shops only take cash.

Drews · 13/07/2023 13:04

There is a pound coin that lives in the car for the trolley that is used once a fortnight but it's never been spent.

Last time using cash was 2 weeks ago to pay for pitch at a campsite. Time before that was several months.

thatsaysfriedricenotnoregrets · 13/07/2023 13:08

Yesterday in a shop and then for a cab.

pambeeslyhalpert2 · 13/07/2023 13:33

My nail place only takes cash so I pay them every 3 weeks but that's it

Humidititties · 13/07/2023 13:42

Today for lunch, I use cash most days

Razzlefrazzle · 13/07/2023 13:47

Nail tech every three weeks and £1 once a week for the raffle at my slimming world group.

PrincessFiorimonde · 13/07/2023 15:12

Yesterday, at my local Co-op and the butcher's. I could have paid with a card at both places, but, like several previous posters, I find it easier to keep track of spending if I use cash. Of course, this might be due to my age (63) and the fact I grew up using cash. Other people (especially younger ones) might have a very different take on this. But I'd think it pretty sad if we did away with cash altogether. And I think that having the option (not a requirement, but an option) to use cash is for the benefit of small retailers as well as consumers. I really agree with this post from @Thunderpunt :

I wish people would recognise how much it costs small business to take card transactions and use cash more where it's accepted. Some jump in accusing businesses of trying to avoid tax, but the truth is it costs thousands each year to process card transactions. My annual bill for merchant bank charges plus the rental of the machine runs to over £2k for the past 12 months. Inevitably those costs have to be passed on by way of price increases. Cash on the other hand holds its value, £20 remains £20 and all I pay out is the VAT on it.

Incidentally, a poster yesterday said: I was in the local supermarket last week and the guy in front gave the young cashier cash and the poor kid looked like a rabbit in the head lights, she had no idea what to do. I find this pretty weird. What retail worker has really never handled cash, and has never been trained to do so?

TammyJones · 13/07/2023 20:23

About 6 hours ago
Had my toe nails painted 💕💕

BungalowBuyer · 13/07/2023 20:24

Today to pay the cattery.

illiterato · 13/07/2023 20:31

PrincessFiorimonde · 13/07/2023 15:12

Yesterday, at my local Co-op and the butcher's. I could have paid with a card at both places, but, like several previous posters, I find it easier to keep track of spending if I use cash. Of course, this might be due to my age (63) and the fact I grew up using cash. Other people (especially younger ones) might have a very different take on this. But I'd think it pretty sad if we did away with cash altogether. And I think that having the option (not a requirement, but an option) to use cash is for the benefit of small retailers as well as consumers. I really agree with this post from @Thunderpunt :

I wish people would recognise how much it costs small business to take card transactions and use cash more where it's accepted. Some jump in accusing businesses of trying to avoid tax, but the truth is it costs thousands each year to process card transactions. My annual bill for merchant bank charges plus the rental of the machine runs to over £2k for the past 12 months. Inevitably those costs have to be passed on by way of price increases. Cash on the other hand holds its value, £20 remains £20 and all I pay out is the VAT on it.

Incidentally, a poster yesterday said: I was in the local supermarket last week and the guy in front gave the young cashier cash and the poor kid looked like a rabbit in the head lights, she had no idea what to do. I find this pretty weird. What retail worker has really never handled cash, and has never been trained to do so?

Yep this did the rounds on FN a few months ago but it’s basically not the case unless the business never banks the cash. If you do you have cash handling fees plus need to drive to the bank and park and pay it in ( time). If you take cards at all you’d need the machine so that’s not an additional cost of exclusively taking card payments. If you have staff then card only reduces the risk of pilfering. Less chance of getting held up ( petrol stations were prime targets). In high volume businesses it speeds up transactions considerably. Businesses wouldn’t do card only if it was more expensive/ didn’t have advantages for them.

SgtPercyTwentyman · 13/07/2023 20:50

Yesterday. My barber won't take plastic.

PrincessFiorimonde · 13/07/2023 23:16

illiterato · 13/07/2023 20:31

Yep this did the rounds on FN a few months ago but it’s basically not the case unless the business never banks the cash. If you do you have cash handling fees plus need to drive to the bank and park and pay it in ( time). If you take cards at all you’d need the machine so that’s not an additional cost of exclusively taking card payments. If you have staff then card only reduces the risk of pilfering. Less chance of getting held up ( petrol stations were prime targets). In high volume businesses it speeds up transactions considerably. Businesses wouldn’t do card only if it was more expensive/ didn’t have advantages for them.

Interesting point; thank you.

OwlBabiesAreCute · 13/07/2023 23:52

Today, bought a 4 man tent from FB marketplace for £20.

In a shop? Months ago. Maybe a tip with a meal...?

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