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Cash or card

(63 Posts)
Rosie21 Sun 29-Jun-25 14:47:52

I have no doubt this has been discussed elsewhere on the forums but here goes. I am getting a little concerned by the lack of cash on the high streets/shops/cafe etc. I recently wanted to do a carboot to get rid of 'stuff'. For a carboot you need change/cash. We have now lost all our banks in our town so where do you get cash. The ATM seems to dispense in £10 and £20 notes. But I need 20p, 50p, £1.
I had a bright idea go to the post office to change the £20 regurgitated by the ATM. Apparently, they wont change your notes for smaller denominations. You have to pay your cash into your Bank Account (via the PO) and take the money out again at the PO where you can then ask for change. Does that make sense? And what about the Grandchildren who seem to have little or no knowledge as to how to handle physical cash?
I must be getting old!!!

Sarahr Mon 30-Jun-25 22:47:13

We use credit card for larger purchases as it gives cash back, debit card and cash, depending what we are doing. I also still use cheques where possible. Our change goes into our piggy bank and is used for when I do a charity stall at Christmas and for car parking.

Spidergran3 Mon 30-Jun-25 22:48:05

PS - I’m 77 so no comments about how hard it is for ‘the elderly’ wink

Crossstitchfan Mon 30-Jun-25 22:58:10

win

So are most of these people you pay in cash declaring their earnings?

And they’d know that how??

pinkwallpaper Mon 30-Jun-25 23:18:51

I agree spidergran3. Phone payment is so much easier and everything on record so you can see exactly where you spent your money. Much safer than carrying loose cards about as some friends do or even in a purse. If you loose your phone you would know very quickly and no one could open my phone without my face! If you drop or loose your card and it is picked up people can use it contactless and you may not even realise you’ve lost it for a day or two. Phone payment much safer in my opinion.

pinkwallpaper Mon 30-Jun-25 23:20:35

Lose not loose

henetha Mon 30-Jun-25 23:34:51

I like both. I use cards for bigger things and cash for small things. I hope we keep cash going really as many prefer it still. But it will disappear one day in the not too distant future I think.

windmill1 Tue 01-Jul-25 01:32:57

pinkwallpaper

I agree spidergran3. Phone payment is so much easier and everything on record so you can see exactly where you spent your money. Much safer than carrying loose cards about as some friends do or even in a purse. If you loose your phone you would know very quickly and no one could open my phone without my face! If you drop or loose your card and it is picked up people can use it contactless and you may not even realise you’ve lost it for a day or two. Phone payment much safer in my opinion.

A woman in Sainsbury using a Smartyphone to pay, yesterday, and finding it wouldn't work caused a lengthening queue of irritated shoppers while a Supervisor came over to try and sort it out. She couldn't but explained the woman needed to contact her bank.

Tech eh?

Barbadosbelle Tue 01-Jul-25 11:41:45

.

In my experience many stores no longer accept cash because with so many Bank closures they no longer have anywhere nearby to deposit it.

And they don't want cash on the premises overnight or to be carrying it on their person.
.

petra Tue 01-Jul-25 13:27:43

windmill1

pinkwallpaper

I agree spidergran3. Phone payment is so much easier and everything on record so you can see exactly where you spent your money. Much safer than carrying loose cards about as some friends do or even in a purse. If you loose your phone you would know very quickly and no one could open my phone without my face! If you drop or loose your card and it is picked up people can use it contactless and you may not even realise you’ve lost it for a day or two. Phone payment much safer in my opinion.

A woman in Sainsbury using a Smartyphone to pay, yesterday, and finding it wouldn't work caused a lengthening queue of irritated shoppers while a Supervisor came over to try and sort it out. She couldn't but explained the woman needed to contact her bank.

Tech eh?

I think the thousands who went through the tills paying through their phone trumps the one person who held things up a bit.

pinkwallpaper Tue 01-Jul-25 21:51:12

Yes Petra, the hold ups when a customer is rummaging through their purse or wallet looking for the right change or looking through two wallets and a Handbag looking for their loyalty card. Thank goodness for Apple wallet on phone. No carrying round innumerable loyalty cards anymore.

Mollygo Wed 02-Jul-25 12:55:20

Booths is vaguely famous for their declaration we’re not having self checkouts (except in the Lake District to satisfy the tourists)
Today about 1/2 their tills were staffed, including the newly labelled cash only till,
which was the only one without any customers, despite the queues at the other tills.
hmm

Cabbie21 Wed 02-Jul-25 15:10:18

Occasionally I need cash: to buy a concert programme, to pop in a charity collection, to pay the window cleaner etc. I try to keep a reasonable amount handy. Yesterday I wanted more coins and the next two places would only take card.
Mostly though I find it easier to pay by card.