Being asked to keep cash?

[SpringDreams26]

AIBU to be a bit annoyed the UK Goverment is now asking us to keep cash, where it’s otherwise been effectively eradicated.

I never carry cash and numerous places don’t accept it anylonger!

Having cash doesn't cover you for much, just certain scenarios where for example cyber attacks might take the payment systems down.

If it gets much worse than that (say the electricity grid goes down for a week or so) people won't be willing to accept cash for goods. It will be bartering, robbing and government food handouts.

It sounds like the OP has a very different life to me in terms of the need for resillience - it sounds quite rural so there's a need for some preparedness. I live in a city, buy things when I need them and tend to pay for everything by card. Everything is available if I need it so I don't really have any supplies for if there's an emergency.

People live very different lives - there are places where you can't get a taxi during school hoursand places where there are 5 ubers available at any time of the day. It's clear from this thread that some places still use prediminantly cash and some places almost exclusively card (this is a result of covid, where cash was discouraged due to the risk of germs). The government is offering advice to everyone.

Things have changed - we are much more dependant on the internet and much more vulnerable to cyber attacks etc than we were. Systems are more integrated and more vulnerable. And we're experiencing more frequent extreme weather, both hot and cold, which disrupts our systems.

Covid showed us that, when we need to, we can change the way we live at very short notice. I think the government has looked at the range of possible emergencies in the future and put out some guidance so we can all be prepared for either short-term emergencies or transition periods during a longer crisis. It's made me think about making those preparations, without feeling panicked, and think about what I would need given my circumstances.

@CoffeeCup14 yes you’re right. I am used to adverse weather, power disruptions etc. so probably have a better “base line” resilience than others.

So resilient that you find carrying cash annoying.

Sorry, it just doesn't compute.

Bung a few tenners in a decoy can and keep it on your kitchen cupboard.

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Are they asking shops to keep a non-electric till on hand too?

Fucks sake it's not rocket science people.
Just do it or don't.
Who knows what will or will not be put into place if there's a large scale power outage.
Stop getting hung up on that.
The fact is that cash is still good if banks are targeted.
You can still then go and buy things, pay for a taxi home or whatever.
OK?

I always have some cash, in smaller notes and in change because I like to use the honesty stalls filled by local market gardeners. Strawberries, tomatoes, caulis, potatoes, eggs and onions mostly, but some more exotic things too. Fresher than the supermarket and generally cheaper, plus the grower gets the full whack.

Yes, same here. DH and DSs are all cashless - but one of these days they might be grateful that I’m not.

As pp have said, situations have happened where the local shops and restaurants have lost their card readers and once people can’t charge their phones they can’t do bank transfers. Having cash for a few days’ shopping is sensible.

When the payment systems failed at my local cineworld a few years back the staff had a traditional metal cash box for the money and were writing out seat numbers on slips of paper.