To want to keep our cash.

[TarasHarp55]

What's everyone's thoughts on going digital? Yesterday on the bus was for me, a prime example of why we shouldn't. This man got on and presented his debit card to pay his fare. The card declined. The poor man was on his way to work and was saying "I've just got paid this morning, I don't understand". He had no other way of paying. The driver kept telling him to try again, the poor man getting upset. Anyway the outcome was I paid his fare because he didn't want to miss work.

It got me thinking though, is this going to get more and more common. Relying on a computer to give you your money. There's so many other problems when there's no cash too imo. I hate the thought of a cashless society.

I also use cash less and less, the only thing I really need it for are to pay my Avon rep and tips for my hair stylist.

We changed hers to a VERY easy to remember one (yes, don't say it, but there's so little on the card, it's worth the small risk of it being stolen and a thief being lucky enough to use the right number, even if obvious and no, it's not as obvious as 1234, but it is obvious and easy to remember for MIL). Even if it got stolen and successfully used, the amount they'd get away is less than MIL would carry on his regular "bank runs", so no difference really to what she was losing anyway!

But even so, I don't think she ever needs to use the PIN. We take her to the cash machine for present money every month or two and do it ourselves so I think that "resets" the number of uses contactless until it asks for the PIN in a shop. If we take her shopping, we do the same, we type in the PIN instead of using contactless, to "reset" the count again.

I think contactless makes things a lot easier for the elderly/confused.

YANBU OP and well done for helping by paying the bus fare.

Apropos of nothing:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-64236047

Businesses should ideally accept cash and cards. But please don’t use businesses that insist on “cash only” and don’t accept any card payments.

A friend is a trustee of a charity that deals with modern slavery issues. There’s a strong link with modern slavery and tax dodging at cash only businesses. No pesky paper trail or National Insurance. You are likely supporting the exploitation of vulnerable people (often women) if you spend there.

Yes

Nail bars seem to operate like this

YANBU. I'm not a Luddite, just a pragmatist. Always have a back up system because computer systems aren't infallible.

@Ifailed Did you see the news today?
Royal Mail tells people not to send post abroad due to 'cyber incident'
www.bbc.com/news/business-64231473

You can say that again.

Silicon Valley Bank anyone?
Peoples' money. Disappearing.

The ship sailed long ago.

House deeds now online, as are wills, taxes, pension entitlements, savings, health records, etc.

Fair enough to keep a moderate amount of "cash" in your house in case of short term emergencies, but, realistically, if there's any major power/computer meltdown, we're all beggared anyway!