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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think you still need to carry cash?

258 replies

Happinessforever · 16/10/2019 22:56

Another example of me feeling old and out of touch Smile

More and more people don't seem to carry cash, especially young people in their twenties or under. Need to pay something at work? It's a PayPal transfer, same for splitting a meal. Travel all by app. Same with shopping.

But I can't not have money on me 'just incase'. Always have at least a fiver but usually about £40.

So, AIBU to think you always need cash? Or am I clinging onto an old outdated habit Wink

OP posts:
CharlieWork · 16/10/2019 22:57

Nope. No cash for me

DappledThings · 16/10/2019 22:58

I never have cash. The cafe in my village only takes cash and if we try to go there spontaneously we have to pay the £1.25 charge to use the cashpoint in the shop.

Hardly any other occasion I need it though which is why I never remember to have any.

Original poster
Happinessforever · 16/10/2019 22:59

Wow. I'm sorely tempted to try it.

Isn't there anytime you need cash though?

OP posts:
squee123 · 16/10/2019 22:59

I'm edging ever closer to 40 and rarely have cash on me. Increasingly I've started to notice businesses ceasing to accept cash too

MustardScreams · 16/10/2019 23:00

I don’t have cash, ever. My friends/colleagues all use Monzo, so transferring money is easy.

Everything in my city is contactless. It’s so much easier. I’ll take cash out specifically if I need to buy something from somewhere that doesn’t accept card. But I don’t carry it.

DelurkingAJ · 16/10/2019 23:01

I need cash for the window cleaner. £20 a month. And that’s it. Particularly now I have my cards on my phone so need only my phone or my wallet to pay...

TheSmallAssassin · 16/10/2019 23:05

Since I got a phone with NFC I've pretty much stopped using cash. I think the only thing I use cash for now is our martial arts classes. Even the buses down here offer contactless now.

DappledThings · 16/10/2019 23:05

Isn't there anytime you need cash though?

Not really. I have two different apps to pay for any parking. I never take cabs, might get cash out for that if I was going to get one.

I take out cash specifically for my twice-yearly haircuts because I go.to cheapo Mr Toppers and like to include a tip.

So I don't ever need cash without planning it for something specific. Apart from the village cafe!

64sNewName · 16/10/2019 23:06

I rarely have much cash on me. It’s a hangover from my skint younger years - part of me still feels oddly anxious withdrawing cash because I am worried I will spend it. But I’ll use my debit card without that same anxiety. I know it doesn’t make sense.

Anyway I used to find I kept getting caught out, needing cash - but it very rarely seems to matter these days.

It’s a worry though that cash is gradually disappearing - as in fewer cash points, and even some shops not taking cash. Was reading about how there’s a disproportionate impact on people with lower incomes/vulnerable groups who may not have access to other ways of paying.

bloodywhitecat · 16/10/2019 23:07

I'm 56, I rarely carry cash and seldom find I need to even in deepest, darkest rural East Anglia most places take cards

RainbowMum11 · 16/10/2019 23:07

Our local chippy and the Chinese only accept cash, so need it for that!
Also occasionally buy/sell stuff second hand so cash for that. Also for school/PTA donations and collections.
Taxis.
I always feel a bit safer having some cash on me, for 'just in case', eg when we had a power cut so couldn't use any EPOS/cash machines.
Maybe it's different in a city, but in a small town, loads of businesses don't take cards due to the cost and poor broadband/ WiFi infrastructure.

Drogosnextwife · 16/10/2019 23:09

I still like to carry cash. I'm 29 so not old yet. I prefer to use cash but its more convenient to use card or my Google pay but use cash a lot.

RainbowMum11 · 16/10/2019 23:09

Our local chippy and the Chinese only accept cash, so need it for that!
Also occasionally buy/sell stuff second hand so cash for that. Also for school/PTA donations and collections.
Taxis.
I always feel a bit safer having some cash on me, for 'just in case', eg when we had a power cut so couldn't use any EPOS/cash machines.
Maybe it's different in a city, but in a small town, loads of businesses don't take cards due to the cost and poor broadband/ WiFi infrastructure.
Parking is another one - all our LA car parks are cash only...

BigChocFrenzy · 16/10/2019 23:10

I've always had plenty of cash, at least 150 on me
I'd feel undressed without it
I've a fair bit in my flat, too

I'm 63, but not out of touch: Smile
I live in Germany and lots of places near me will only accept cash, at least for things under about 30 Eur

BigChocFrenzy · 16/10/2019 23:12

So that's most hairdressers here, some restaurants, all coffee shops, bakeries, cafes, the farm shops
as they are all local family businesses, not chains

CherryBathBomb · 16/10/2019 23:17

Card payments all the way..Although i have been caught out with shopping trolleys a few times so lots of pound coins in the car now!

Proseccoinamug · 16/10/2019 23:18

No cash here. The only time I ever need it is to pay for parking but in bigger cities that’s a card too.

School won’t even accept cash for trips and dinners any more, all has to be done online.

The only other time I need it is for the tooth fairy 😂

PixieDustt · 16/10/2019 23:20

I don't carry cash at all.
I generally just use Apple Pay and don't even use my card anymore Blush.
The only time I need cash is when I want a chippy!

JamesBlonde1 · 16/10/2019 23:21

Eh, baffled by these answers. Do you all live in cities? I constantly have a wad of cash in my purse and loads of coins. Always spending them.

getoutofthatgarden202 · 16/10/2019 23:23

No cash here - in fact don't even have a real bank account - I use an online bank (revolut) for everything ! And an American Express for air miles.

Both saved to Apple Pay so usually only need my phone for most purchases & travel!

I can also just quickly send my mates money if we split something and I can send money abroad / change currency for a really good rate on the revolut app!

I think it's easier if in a big city (I'm in London) and have never really had a cash only situation - a lot of places are cashless now in fact

It's been a problem a few times when abroad/in the countryside - but in everyday life i don't need cash!

ThreeLittleDots · 16/10/2019 23:24

Only use cash really for after school care payments and other things there like swimming lessons etc. Though they're going to an online payment system soon so then really no need to have cash here.

Lyricallie · 16/10/2019 23:29

I live in the Highlands so 2.5 hour drive to the closest city and I never have cash on me. Sometimes I get cash out for charity events at work and £1 for the trolley at Lidl. Literally can't think of anything else I'd need cash for.

Heronry · 16/10/2019 23:31

I still need it on the local rural buses I use to get to and from work. Some now have card machines, but not all, and the gaps between buses are so big I can’t just dash off to an ATM if necessary.

Answerthequestion · 16/10/2019 23:32

My husband has a theory that cash is irrelevant and never ever has any on him. I tend to take out about £30 a week just in case but 99% of the time use card

Original poster
Happinessforever · 16/10/2019 23:32

So, only the Tooth Fairy and the chippy are the main trip ups for cash? Grin

OP posts:
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