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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

963 replies

InHibernationTilISummer · 03/03/2018 23:27

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.

OP posts:
cuckooplusone · 05/03/2018 22:43

I very rarely need cash, I use free car parks or pay by app, pay by card for shopping and online for school stuff like lunches or clubs. I have only used cash recently for the school Christmas bazaar and a taxi. I took out cash especially. I keep £1 in my purse for a locker at swimming and that's it.

LoniceraJaponica · 05/03/2018 22:49

"Just out of curiousity, does everyone on here who only pays with their card only ever use contactless? Or do you use chip and pin sometimes too?"

My card only allows contactless on amounts up to £30. Over £30 I have to use chip and pin.

ImNotWhoYouThinkIAmOhNo · 05/03/2018 23:06

Dinosaur here. I pay by card in most places but always have a decent amount of cash on me too. I don't do online banking, for various reasons - I'll get round to it eventually.

PurpleTraitor · 05/03/2018 23:16

Things I have been asked to pay for in cash this week - dinner money. Milk money. School trip money (large amount) School trip money (small amount, exact change). Bus fare. Meal out, no card payment facilities. Soft play, no card payment facilities. Loaf of bread in local shop (£5 minimum spend for card payment) Tips jar on the bar. Tips jar on a boat trip. The big issue. Random guy who asked me if a had a spare 20p on the street today.

crunchymint · 05/03/2018 23:47

This will mean if systems go down, no one will be able to buy anything.

saoirsesoige · 05/03/2018 23:48

Which systems? The same ones that if they go, you won't be able to get cash either?

crunchymint · 05/03/2018 23:52

But if you have cash in your pocket you can spend it.

crunchymint · 05/03/2018 23:52

I am talking about when there have been temporary issues for a few hours. Has happened before.

saoirsesoige · 05/03/2018 23:53

Yeah but once its gone you can't get more. And if "the systems" are down then the shops are probably closed anyway!

BestZebbie · 05/03/2018 23:53

In my daily life I never pass a cashpoint, so I have to make a special trip to one every few weeks (not actually far, but very much out of my way) to stock up for the very few things that I ever need it for: basically one baby group and one soft play centre (out of three nearby). Even car parking in my everyday life is either free or done through an app nowadays - and the swimming pool lockers still only take old pounds!

saoirsesoige · 05/03/2018 23:53

I am talking about when there have been temporary issues for a few hours. Has happened before

Then you can just not spend for a few hours, or use a different method.

crunchymint · 05/03/2018 23:54

Nope. I have paid in cash when systems are down and shops have been writing down the cash they are taking in - because their systems are down too. They have still been open. Cash got me through those hours.

crunchymint · 05/03/2018 23:58

You cant use other methods. Sure you can go without what you want. But technology does go down.

saoirsesoige · 05/03/2018 23:59

Not ALL the technology at once! When has that happened, that no cards from any source have worked, and no phone pay etc either?

crunchymint · 06/03/2018 00:00

When there have been major incidents e.g. 7/11.

saoirsesoige · 06/03/2018 00:01

Where? I don't remember that happening. And really, during a major incident you could probably just not go shopping.

nancy75 · 06/03/2018 00:02

If technology goes down nobody in London will be able to get on a bus, they are totally cashless

crunchymint · 06/03/2018 00:04

No you still want to buy say a bottle of water.

saoirsesoige · 06/03/2018 00:06

You'll live without it.
You're really trying hard to come up with an issue but its not actually making sense

crunchymint · 06/03/2018 00:06

And I have had where I live all systems go down so no shops can take cards, only cash. I bought my lunch with cash.

saoirsesoige · 06/03/2018 00:07

All systems in all shops went down? No cards worked anywhere? Never heard of that happening. What caused it?

crunchymint · 06/03/2018 00:09

Don't know, but it happened.

saoirsesoige · 06/03/2018 00:10

Aye, sure it did.

Jaleto · 06/03/2018 00:12

Have you got a link for all the banking services going down on 7/11, I remember the mobile network being under strain but not anything to do with banking.

On the few occasions where my bank have had a problem meaning I couldn't use the card, I've used my other debit card with another bank or my credit card. If none worked I just wouldn't buy the bottle of water or whatever until it was back.
Happens very rarely so I'm not bothered by the what ifs. What if accidentally put you're money through the wash.

crunchymint · 06/03/2018 00:12

Aye sure you do