To wonder why so many people don't carry any cash on them?

[InHibernationTilISummer]

Excluding people who are skint and the Queen, obviously.

I've had so many examples of this in the last few weeks:

• Colleague who came into the work in the bad weather. Lots of delays and problems on the bus route they normally get so wanted to get the train instead but had no money for a ticket because they had come in with their season bus pass and lunch and hadn't expected to be spending any money.
• Friend turning up for exercise class but hasn't realised that the price has gone up 50p since she last came - and she only brought the exact money she thought she would need.
• Another friend dropping older child off at sport class finds that there's a fair going on at the sports centre with stalls and activities that her younger child (who was with her) would have enjoyed. Complains that she wishes she had known about it in advance as she would have taken some money out with her.

Is this becoming more common or is it just the people I know? If you aren't skint but don't routinely carry money on you, why is that?

I've been in situations where I haven't expected to be spending any (or much) money and some problem has occurred or plans have changed for some reason (e.g. having to accompany someone to A & E or the last bus not turning up) and I would have been really stuck if I hadn't taken some spare 'emergency' cash.

Absolutely scaryteacher - that's what I was saying - "Europe" is a big place and even with the Eurozone there are very different attitudes to cards/cash.

I tend to use cash a lot. I find I spend an awful lot less with cash. Also I have had my card cloned twice and both times the cards were frozen by the bank when I was in the middle of no where. Both times I was delighted to be carrying cash.

I was robbed and had cash on me. Never again.

For those who never carry cash - don't mock those of us who do. We're not cashless yet & we're always bailing you out when you need cash.

Thing is I still need a purse for my Waitrose card, Sparks card, free coffee vouchers, etc etc

I have the Stocard app on my phone which stores all of my store/club cards from Tesco and Boots Clubcards to my airline frequent flyer card which means I never need to carry the physical card with me. A lot of the cards are pre-programmed into the app so you just scan the card with your phone camera and it uploads the details but any they don't have can be added manually and it creates a scannable barcode or QR code that can be used the same way as swiping/scanning the physical card.

As for vouchers, I just carry the ones I know I will use and I rarely have more than one or two at a time so they easily slot into my phone case.

Thing is I still need a purse for my Waitrose card, Sparks card, free coffee vouchers, etc etc so I could never just use a phone so may as well carry cash as well

The apps hold the vouchers and cards, just yesterday I spent a £25 voucher in H&B and had lunch in Pizza express using Tesco vouchers all done electronically.

Also I have had my card cloned twice and both times the cards were frozen by the bank when I was in the middle of no where

I've never had a card cloned, using mobile pay the retailer does not get your card details so it has a much lower fraud rate % Online I use E-wallet in different currencies.

I also have several cards stored to my phone so could just switch between them with a few clicks.

There is no right or wrong here. We are all free to chose how we like to pay as long as the merchant accepts them.

I just wish they would all take American express but that's a separate whinge

You don't get penalised or charged for choosing to pay by card confused"

Well, actually, yes you do. Small independent shops add on an extra charge for small amounts round here.

Well, actually, yes you do. Small independent shops add on an extra charge for small amounts round here

That is illegal since January. They can set a minimum charge but not a surcharge.

It's not about not liking technology Blackteadrinker, but I can't see that not using cash will add anything to my life, and I don't trust the contactless system enough to use it, hence my non contactless UK debit card. I couldn't be arsed to go to all the hassle of having a smartphone just to pay for things either, or to pay for having said phone. Cash is the ultimate back up when systems crash, and it suits me to use it.

I haven’t seen electronic versions of my cards apart from the John Lewis one

"I just wish they would all take American express but that's a separate whinge"

What benefits does having an American Express card confer that other credit cards don't? Back in the day they were very much seen as status symbols because you had to earn over a certain amount to have one. OH used to be bombarded with junk mail from them urging him to take one. Nowhere round here accepts them so they are pretty pointless.

My Waitrose and Sparks is what I usually use and free m and s coffee vouchers, would be more convenient in app

I feel naked if I don't have real cash on me when I go out.I like to have about 20 quid on me but even if it's just a fiver I feel more relaxed when I have it.I don't know why.

we're always bailing you out when you need cash

I’ve never been ‘bailed out’ by anyone when I’ve needed cash. I’ve sorted myself out.

What benefits does having an American Express card confer that other credit cards don't? Back in the day they were very much seen as status symbols because you had to earn over a certain amount to have one. OH used to be bombarded with junk mail from them urging him to take one. Nowhere round here accepts them so they are pretty pointless.

Points. I get a shed load of Amex reward points. Way more than if I put stuff on a Visa or Mastercard. I got a new telly and a load of flights out of the points on my AMEX

Wow. You must spend a lot of money bananafish

My Waitrose and Sparks is what I usually use

Both Waitrose and Sparks have apps. The Waitrose app is great. Scan your shopping as you go and click pay. Means you can pack as you shop, saves loads of time.

Cards can be replaced, and the funds reimbursed, cash can't.

Also it's a pita going to the cash point.

Lonicera American express often gives you far better rewards then most other credit cards. That's why I picked one. I wanted to start using a credit card for all my online purchases as it's safer so I chose American express because I can use it with 95%+ if the places I buy things inline and it gave me the best rewards.

Wow. You must spend a lot of money bananafish

Three years of infertility treatment (£50k) and ALL my purchases, weekly Ocado shop etc

Didn't get a baby sadly, but got a TV as a consolation prize

Also for me using a credit card for everything (food shops, clothes, toiletries, car repairs etc.) the points do rack up quickly and I can keep track of my spending easily. (Though I do use YNAB which helps). But I do pay it off in full every month and never pay more on it than my budget allows so it's no different from a debit card for me in a way.

I realise that's not how some people use it so it's not for everyone, but worth it if you are vigilant.

Cash for me is harder to track and gets frittered away so that's why I don't like it.

(I pay my credit card off in full, I just use it as a debit card with points)

What benefits does having an American Express card

I pay for flights with the points just from doing my normal spending like food and fuel.

I use it at H&B, Tesco, Halfords, Aldi, Lidl, Waitrose, Costa loads of places take them but not all. It is getting better though.

I'm the same @bananafish81 @wanttobeamathematician

Pay it in full every month.

Dont get why cash is easier to piss away than card or phone. Things still cost the same.

I can't be bothered with the lumpy aggro of a smart brick, I do use cards a lot but always have cash. No flat battery or tech failures.