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Legal, pensions and money

Do you know how much is in your purse/wallet?

(101 Posts)
Daddima Thu 18-May-23 11:37:25

We were talking about this the other day, and my friend knew almost to the penny, and another friend had absolutely no idea. I only knew because I had just been to the cash machine, but I usually know roughly, but can sometimes get a pleasant surprise ( or a shock!)

BlueBelle Fri 19-May-23 08:42:10

For those who never carry any cash what would you do if you’re no where near home and lose your card
I always like a back up plan

Harris27 Fri 19-May-23 08:41:36

Yes about £20 I don’t carry a lot of cash these days just cards.

Witzend Fri 19-May-23 08:37:31

A fiver, plus a few coins, and I only have that because it’s left over from the other day, when I had lunch with 2 ex colleagues. We always split the bill and pay cash.
Otherwise I use cards.

Greyduster Fri 19-May-23 08:36:13

£1.23 in coins and no notes. I rarely have cash on me these days and it’s much for me to have coins - any I do accumulate go into the parking bag in the car.

BlueBelle Fri 19-May-23 08:32:57

Yes I carry cash as well as use my card

ParlorGames Fri 19-May-23 08:15:37

Actually, on a recent journey to the hairdressers I realised that I hadn't removed my earrings which I would normally leave at home, so I immediately took them out and put them in the very small zip pocket on the outside of my purse where I found a £20 note! I have no idea how it got there as I never use that pocket!

As for the rest of the cash, I would normally carry about £30 to £40 plus coins as main spending is done on cards.

silverlining48 Fri 19-May-23 08:07:25

I use my cards but also like to have about £40 in cash because I don’t pay fir small items by card.

We have friends who don’t believe in cash so never have it with them which had meant us picking up the bill if cards are not accepted.
I also send charity payments by cheque a couple of times a year.
Dislike the parking situation where apps are used with no option to pay by cash.
If I give money to grandchildren it’s cash. I like cash.
I am not a techie that’s clear.

merlotgran Thu 18-May-23 21:18:11

I like to keep about £20/30 in my purse for local plant sales and entry to various goings on where there’s often a raffle.

I try to keep a few £1 coins for car parking because the metres don’t give change. I’d love to know how they work out that you’ve only got a £10 note on the day your card gets rejected because there’s a spanner in the works! 😡

CanadianGran Thu 18-May-23 21:16:15

Ok, going to test myself before checking.

I'm going to guess around $80 in notes, and $4 in coins.

Drumroll....
$25 in notes, $6.25 in coin

I just checked my bank, and the last time I took out cash was May 1, so most likely I gave most of it to DH. He uses cash more than I do. Really I don't use cash much at all, and obviously, my book-keeping skills aren't very good!

karmalady Thu 18-May-23 21:02:40

£8 and a few coins. I have a secret cash stash elsewhere and always put at least another £20 in my purse when going out. I have my mastercard but much prefer cash, meaning that it does not sneakily add up so I have to raid savings to pay it off

Rosie51 Thu 18-May-23 20:54:08

grannyrebel7

No cash for me either. The sooner they get rid of it completely the better. It's outdated now. Using cards is the so much more convenient.

Why get rid of cash? I hate the idea of a cashless society. Those that prefer to only use cards or their phones etc can carry on doing so, but why try to take the cash option away from those that prefer that? I use a mixture but hate to be out without any cash on me.
To answer the question, no I don't know exactly how much cash is in my purse but can guess it is about £70. When it gets down to £20 or £30 it will be topped back up.
My grandson with learning difficulties amongst other co-morbidities can understand cash, but would not keep track of card spending at all. I doubt he's unique.

grannyrebel7 Thu 18-May-23 20:43:16

No cash for me either. The sooner they get rid of it completely the better. It's outdated now. Using cards is the so much more convenient.

lixy Thu 18-May-23 20:30:03

Yes, I check whenever I go out. If a total is under £5 some shops won't take a card payment - butcher, fishmonger, wholefood loose seeds/nuts/pulses shop - so I carry cash.

When I was a student and then a new mum I knew what was there to the last 2p piece. Didn't use a card then as I needed to budget very carefully.

Kim19 Thu 18-May-23 19:48:11

Yes, pretty much know how much I have on my person at all times but seldom more than £20 unless I'm on holiday when I carry about £100 for 'reassurance'

Doodledog Thu 18-May-23 15:47:26

Very little. I took cash out of a machine months ago and am only just coming to the end of it. I buy most things online and pay by card or phone for incidentals.

Callistemon21 Thu 18-May-23 15:44:03

And if people don't carry cash, they will find it difficult to pop a coin or a note in a collecting box.

Theexwife Thu 18-May-23 15:44:02

Nothing, I do not own a purse, use my phone for everything.

Callistemon21 Thu 18-May-23 15:42:53

Daddima

Paddyann to digress, the Joint Service agreement was designed to get ex-forces priority help with housing, and there’s also an Armed Forces Covenant which does the same. As well as giving a donation, I’d maybe point them in the direction of the British Legion ( that’s assuming they’re fit to do so, as so many aren’t)

Yes, a little research is always useful Daddima and there are official schemes available as well as charities. Besides the RBL, there are also SSAFA, ABF, Soldiers off the Street etc.

These people may not, of course, be ex-services anyway, who's to know?

But it's difficult to find volunteers now to fundraise for Armed Services charities, many are in their 80s and younger people are just not volunteering.

Callistemon21 Thu 18-May-23 15:34:14

Sometimes cash is necessary - eg fees for groups I go to.

Sago Thu 18-May-23 15:28:27

I rarely carry more than £20 in cash, I have my cards on my phone.
If I go to Lidl locally there is always a pleasant guy begging, I give him my trolley to return so he can keep the coin.

Daddima Thu 18-May-23 15:12:43

Paddyann to digress, the Joint Service agreement was designed to get ex-forces priority help with housing, and there’s also an Armed Forces Covenant which does the same. As well as giving a donation, I’d maybe point them in the direction of the British Legion ( that’s assuming they’re fit to do so, as so many aren’t)

paddyann54 Thu 18-May-23 14:30:13

very small town here with no" homeless" on the streets ,There is a big issue seller who knows I wont have cash going in but will get cashback to buy her magazine .
I was in Glasgow city centre yesterday and was shocked at the number of young men with" ex army ,homeless" written on their placards.
Time the government stepped in to help these young men who it appears have been discarded after being used in conflict and left with physical and mental disabilities

Cabbie21 Thu 18-May-23 14:14:36

I have about £3.50 in my purse. I pay for everything by card whenever possible, but from time to time I offer a note in order to get some change.
I need change to pay the man who cleans the bins( I have asked to pay online ) or eg to buy a concert programme or something at a charity stall or a collection for some fund raising thing at choir or at a car boot sale.
I do keep some coins in the car for a parking machine, and a £10 note in my phone for emergencies.

MerylStreep Thu 18-May-23 13:47:30

I haven’t needed a purse or wallet for years.

biglouis Thu 18-May-23 13:43:52

Also have a handful of £1/£2 coins in case I want to give to a busker or beggar

Last time a begger asked me for money I told them sorry I dont have any spare 10 pence!