Cash or Card ?

I usually use my card to pay for everything (with a few spare quid in my purse - just in case I need it). But over the last few weeks, as an experiment, I've been drawing out a certain amount of money every week, and paying with cash. And I'm absolutely amazed at how much less I spend!

It seems 'realer' to be handing over your hard-earned cash, rather than just flashing a card. Try it! You'll save oodles!

Neat! Not eat. Sigh.

My card was cloned once. That was enough for me. I have my cards in a eat little metal case that fits into a compartment in my handbag. I have a small purse for cash. I like to have some cash for odds and ends but mostly use my cards.

i must admit i do use contactless more ,maybe this is where i am tempted to spend more than i have. so after christmas back to cash i think...

Cards are fine until the power is out and then one is unable to use them. I tend to use cash for anything under $20 (Australia)

My wallet is long one with innumerable sections. I have slid pieces of foil into the two outmost sections, that I never used anyway. Cards protected; or have a piece of foil folded in two in your wallet and slide your card into the fold to keep it.

I think most of the cloning stories are thoroughly exaggerated and overdone, but I did read somewhere quite authoritative recently, that close quarters cloning is possible and I now never need to worry about it.

My eyesight is not good for tapping numbers in to cash points, so I have started using my cards on my iPhone, it’s great, I just hold it near the terminal and it clicks to let me know transaction gone through.

I'm sorry but I have to say that it is not possible to clone a bank card from a mile away. If you are worried, why not keep your card in an RFID purse or wallet.

I use my card for nearly everything these days even tiny transactions as I rarely get near a cash machine! I find contactless a real boon as it’s so quick and saves messing around looking for change in busy shops.

The bank send contactless automatically then you have to phone up and get a new card sent out.

I think you can buy little wallets which shield your card so that hackers can't clone them.

Your absoulty right too .
Did you no that hackers can clone a card from as much as a mile away with a special device.
I never use contactless , because of this .
When you use your pin they cannot get your details as they fo with contactless .
Despite the lies by the banks its not safe at all.
So pass this on to warn your family and friends.
I worked in banking for 33 years .

Sorry to hear that, amt101. I hope you get it all sorted out quickly.

Having just had my bag stolen I'm pleased I had asked my banks not to send me contactless cards. It would have created even more problems than I had already.

Herbie9

Oh dear! It's good that your bank levied no charges but why did you have your bag/purse in the shopping trolley instead of on your person? Thieves scan shoppers to see where they have their purse and if you don't have a cross-body bag and keep the opening next to your body, I highly recommend that you buy one.
That way, you can look on shelves away from your trolley without fearing that someone will snatch your bag/purse.
I hope police catch the offender but, knowing our courts, it's unlikely (s)he will go to prison, more's the pity.
Enjoy Christmas and buy that bag

As with most things now these days, personal choice is being taken away from us, we should be able to have both cash and cards and cheques.

Stella1949- do you mind sharing which tracking app you use. I would find it very useful!

I use both, not contactless though. I prefer cash, that way when out shopping I set myself a budget and stick to it.
It works.
I hope we don’t go totally cashless.

There was a run on our local cash machines on the night of the Christmas market, followed by several charity fairs the following day. Naturally fairground rides want cash, as do charity stalls.

I withdraw my housekeeping money and pay in cash for household goods, as otherwise I would be tempted to overspend. Bills are paid by direct debit.

In the days of cheque books I only used mine for paying bills or any very expensive purchase, like furniture, where I today use my visa card.

Old fashioned, I know, but the system has worked for me since I got my first cheque book and used it as much as possible and was mortified when the bank teller whispered to me, "Your account is overdrawn, when will you be paying money in?"

Recently I had my purse, with £30 cash, and contactless debit card stolen from my shopping trolley and on contacting my bank learned that 3 payments totaling nearly £90 had been taken in 9 minutes!
Beware, thieves move very quickly. Fortunately the bank made no charges to my account and the police are currently investigating the ctv's of the shops concerned.

I use debit and credit cards but I refuse to do online banking there are so many scare stories.

I nearly always use a card. Even all the little shops in our village take contactless payments now. It means I don't have to carry cash around, don't need a handbag and can just carry my phone wallet. Very liberating!
Something that I have noticed though is that it means I never have cash for buskers, beggars and big issue sellers when I want it. If I am going into the city I have to remember to take a pocketful of change. The cashless society must be having a big impact on them. I haven't come across any that take cards yet!!

I too have a milkman, I ditched Milk & More in favour of a local milkman, lots cheaper & in glass bottles. They don't do the same wide range of non dairy products but do sell butter, cream & cheese.

I dislike contactless & have only used it once. I do use debit card for some of my shopping but my local shop only takes cash, luckily it's also a PO so I can always draw cash there. I still use cheques quite a lot. I'm only 62 & hate the thought of a cashless society, I like some cash in my purse.

I have shops near me that only take cash because as small businesses they can't afford the bank charges for using cards.
There are also a number of businesses that only accept card payments. A cafe that has a lot of delivery business explained that they worry that their drivers might be mugged for cash and so never use it.
Both seem reasonable to me.

Feel a bit marooned if I don’t have some cash on me. Pay for most stuff by card or online now. Those of you who don’t use cash, how do you keep track of expenditure, must be rafts of silly little amounts to tie up.