Cashless Society?

We also rarely use cash. Small shops / market stalls being the exception. Just talking with the owner at our village veg shop. Although he does on line payments for deliveries, the size of his business just does not make it cost effective to install a machine for card purchases. I guess this is likely to be the case for a lot of small shops, so can't see cash disappearing any time soon.

 Whilst I can accept that the use of credit cards could easily lead to increased personal debt, surely the use of a debit card cannot. If the money is not in the account then the debit card won't be accepted.

People just need to learn to cut the coat to suit the cloth

I don't keep a seperate account of spending. Although we have never been prone to spending on whim and have always kept within our means. I do keep a close eye on all our accounts via phone apps, so would be aware fairly quickly if anything looked out of place. Also when the paper copies come in I do scan through them to check I can account for everything on them and the amounts look right. I don't check their adding up however, as I am prepared to accept that is correct. Of couse if the figure for any reason did not look sensible (never happened) I would investigate further.

I've stopped all paper statements now.  I just get an email from the bank to say the statement is available on line.  I log in and reconcile it against my computer accounts and download a digital copy of the statement which are kept in folders with all the statements for that particular account.  I've been doing it like this for 10 years or so.  P.S. All the documents and files on my computer are backed up to online storeage in case of computer failure.  This also means I can also access any files on my computer from my phone.

David

Never have paper copies of statements through the post, have online account and the option to print off any pdf's if needed.

Rather than have an online statement a mile long with coffee @£1.20, sweets @£2.46, sausage roll at @£0.99 (probably itemised by shop name) etc etc, I am happy to draw out £100 from an ATM to purchase these small things. It also allows my online statement to be short, concise and easily read.

I'm paperless with the bank, I don't keep accounts, they're in my head, I just look in on the bank every day to check all is ok. I do like cash though, I use ATMs, it's a bit of an interest for me as our first order at work was to produce parts for ATMs. I was watching one being cleaned out the other day (literally, yes they get hovered!) and the design has changed a lot over the years but still a useful concept.

I think cash still has a relevancy, particularly for small independent shops. They've had to take a reduction in their income as credit and debit card charges have been reduced, so I always try to pay for anything under £20 in these shops with cash. Plus it's important for small towns and communities to retain banks, as the closure of them can have devastating effects on trade.

However, I'm sure DK is right. Eventually cash will be but a distant memory but I think I'll still be using it until I go.

I've kept detailed accounts ever since I've been married.  In the early days it was in a handwritten form now it's all done on the computer.  It's all very detailed.....but that's just me.  If it was left to Carol, I'm sure she wouldn't do it.

David

Will admit that I tend not to use cash much now, although I went to our local community market last night so did take extra cash.

It must be getting more and more difficult for shops and retailers in small town's , as the banks are still closing lots of branches leaving small towns with no bank at all. They may have to travel long distances to bank takings. 

Not more than a few years ago. Probably 2015. It was a large kawasaki and probably at least 25 years old (lovely condition) the guy in his 30s had stripped it right down and rebuilt it. First run out with a mate on pillion for a coffee in a nearby cafe. He was, understandably upset. I suppose hopping mad might cover it 

I asked him to go for a walk around the block whilst his mate stayed with me to make sure I did not do a runner as I assured him that I had no intention of leaving until it was sorted and he was happy. 

He did walk round the block and returned calmer to find me and his mate talking about bikes. I asked him if he had a trusted dealer as he had obviously done a lot of work on the bike and it turned out he had their phone number on his mobile. I asked him to carefully check all damage and the three of us went over the bike, No fairing and the damage was limited to a bent front brake lever. Dealer had one in stock for £30. Quick fix. I opened my wallet and offered him all the cash that I had. I asked him if the extra £40 would compensate for his trouble and buy a pint for him and his mate. I also apologised that my wallet was a bit lean. 

He was a bit unlucky as I usually have plenty of notes in the glove box and would have happily given him a round hundred as I remembered how I felt when a woman reversed into my new motorbike with less than 10 miles on the clock. He was fairly happy though in as much as we parted on good terms.