Living Only Using Cash - Is It No Longer Possible?

bargain huntress on 22/01/2024 - 21:43

I have been considering trying ditching the plastic and the online banking and going cash only.
For a couple of reasons:
To resist the imposition of a cashless society - use it or lose it.
And there are numerous budgeting systems where people use cash only. For some people the physical cash is the psychological thing they need to stay on budget. David Ramsay's Envelope System is probably the most famous.

I was planning to test out paying bills at Australia Post.

Well look what they've done:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12990531/Aussie-out…

'Some billers charge a bill-payment fee for bills paid in person,' Australia Post told Yahoo.

'Australia Post charges the utility for processing the payment and it is common for companies to pass this onto the customer,' Telstra said.

Both blaming each other of course

Financial

Comments

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 23/01/2024 - 20:15
      +3

      Same. I don't even carry a wallet anymore. Every card is in my phone.

      • Eeples on 23/01/2024 - 22:56

        What about sporting or RSL clubs?

      • liongalahad on 23/01/2024 - 23:52

        I don't even bring my phone along lol, just my smartwatch (with payment cards in it)

  • Cluster on 23/01/2024 - 20:47
    +2

    No, you cannot live on cash alone. Many businesses and services no longer take cash or coins. Parking is a good example. Around Adelaide no on street parking takes coins, and all multi level carparks I have used have switched to card only. Public transport no longer takes cash too.

    • bargain huntress on 23/01/2024 - 21:00
      -1

      Thank you
      Thats so wrong

      • liongalahad on 23/01/2024 - 23:53
        +4

        can I ask what's wrong with cashless exactly? Honest question

        • bargain huntress on 24/01/2024 - 10:44

          Some people think it encourages needless spending
          Like it breaks your brains thinking about money

          Besides that

          it doesnt work in a natural disaster or emergency
          Imagine if there is an emp or carrington event

          Its also potentially distopian if authorities can see everything you do with money and stop you making free choices about that

          • joelmuzz on 26/01/2024 - 16:09
            +2

            @bargain huntress: Smartcards do work in a disaster, only needs electricity for the terminal to queue the encryption handshakes.

            The only reason they go down is many businesses make the poor choice to configure for disabled offline transactions because they are afraid of more fraud chargebacks.

            If an EMP blows up all computers then we are going full Mad Max and bullets are currency not cash.

  • nubzy on 23/01/2024 - 21:28
    +2

    Bought banh mi today, all these mindless drones tapping their phones and plastic despite big sign highlighting the surcharge fees for different cards. Meanwhile I hand over a $20, get my two banh mi and handed back $4 in change even though the menu price was $9 each. Other takeaways i've seen offering a free can of drink for cash payment. Quite frankly it is foolish and very shortsighted not to use cash, and only helping to fuel this inflation problem and make everything more expensive. Cash is instant, it's easy, small business appreciate it and it is private. Why do you want a record of what you spent everywhere? The banks love tap and go because it encourages frivolous spending and you don't even think about it. Get cash out and spend it wisely, you will spend less, get better service and plenty of other perks!!

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 23/01/2024 - 23:41
      +2

      A 5c surcharge on a banh mi is fueling inflation?

      • cloudy on 25/01/2024 - 23:58
        +1

        Quite frankly it is foolish and very shortsighted not to use cash

    • whatgift on 24/01/2024 - 09:52
      +2

      Haha shortsighted is using cash, ignoring the inevitable! Most businesses are realising that card payments actually save them time and money in managing their finances. The businesses only focussing on the transaction fees are missing the big picture and may not survive in the digital world.

      There are so many ways to arrange your finances to limit your spending in the digital world, and banks have made that process easier than ever.

      Using cash is the money equivalent of using a horse and buggy as transport.

      • bargain huntress on 24/01/2024 - 10:40

        There are so many ways to arrange your finances to limit your spending in the digital world, and banks have made that process easier than ever

        How?

        • whatgift on 24/01/2024 - 10:48
          +2

          Having multiple accounts, and use mostly online accounts that have no card attached so you can't actually spend money with them.

          You can set up transfers to allocate your salary into various accounts to ensure money is allocated wisely.

          With some banks you can set notifications to tell you when you've spent a certain amount or your account balance is low. You can also set daily spending limits on some accounts.

          There are also banking apps that can automatically break your spending down into categories (groceries, entertainment, food, bills etc) to see what you're spending all your money on.

          • bargain huntress on 24/01/2024 - 10:50

            @whatgift: Ive tried most of that, its still a struggle for me. Cash might not help but maybe?

            • whatgift on 24/01/2024 - 10:55
              +2

              @bargain huntress: It's possible that it could help, but its not solving the problem, just creating more barriers to stop you from spending, and adding more work in managing cash into your life.

            • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 24/01/2024 - 16:04
              +3

              @bargain huntress: Addressing the root cause of your issue is probably the step you should take, rather than looking for bandaid solutions

      • nubzy on 24/01/2024 - 12:17
        -1

        What absolute load of garbage

        • whatgift on 24/01/2024 - 20:01
          +1

          And yet the proportion of transactions using cash has halved in 3 years, and will continue to drop. There's only one company even willing to transport cash for businesses, and it's not profitable for them.

    • smartazz104 on 24/01/2024 - 10:29
      +6

      Meanwhile I hand over a $20, get my two banh mi and handed back $4 in change even though the menu price was $9 each

      Seems like a good reason for them to go cashless, given they can't do simple maths.

      • nubzy on 24/01/2024 - 12:16

        You clearly don’t understand my comment. This has happened on a previous occasion too. Their way of thanking those who pay cash..

      • cloudy on 26/01/2024 - 00:12

        If you cant do maths, you probably shouldn't even be in business

    • Thinkswithelbow on 26/01/2024 - 06:48

      Guess I don't care about the surcharge because the conscience outweighs having to carry change and cash with me?

      You can spend wisely using digital means. It's called a budget and some maths. :-)

      Also are you saying they gave you a $2 discount for cash or they gave you incorrect change and you just walked away?

  • Eeples on 23/01/2024 - 22:55
    +2

    I have $50 ‘hidden’ in my phone cover.

    Doesn’t everyone ?

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 23/01/2024 - 23:42
      +2

      Prison wallet is safer

      • franco cozzo on 24/01/2024 - 02:43
        -5

        30 comments (you seem obsessed mate?) in this thread and you still cant crack a decent joke…

  • AsterixMan on 24/01/2024 - 00:50
    +1

    You should also consider the amount you would be losing by rounding up as companies would never round off. So if an item costs 1.21 you would pay 1.25. Another issue is keeping track of all the coins. I hate them as wallets are usually not ideal for holding them.

    • bargain huntress on 24/01/2024 - 10:39

      Ah yes since they took away the 1 and 2 cent coins! They still have pennies in the US

      There are coin organisers that are useful. Doesnt make them any lightwr though of course

    • SpainKing on 25/01/2024 - 14:57
      +2

      That's incorrect, Australian law requires them to round down for cash transactions ending in $X.X1 or $X.X2 (to the nearest 10¢) and $X.X6 or $X.X7 cents (to the nearest 5¢). The remaining denominations are rounded up

  • ldq on 24/01/2024 - 08:29
    +5

    On a similar note it is currently impossible participate in the society without having a mobile number. Which used to be a matter of personal choice and now you will not be able to hold a bank account or fill out a government form. Unlike using cash having a mobile number incurs a cost to the user. So it is like a self-imposed tax that becomes mandatory. Shackles that you have to wear and pay for.

    • bargain huntress on 24/01/2024 - 10:37

      I never thought of that before
      Thats very true!

    • valuer on 24/01/2024 - 20:51
      +1

      And necessary often on the internet. Creating a Google/Facebook account?

  • sir-screwball on 24/01/2024 - 10:30
    +3

    This is almost impossible. It's one of those things where you COULD do it but it's absolutely nightmarish.

    Paying your bills has to be done in person at the post office. EVERY SINGLE TIME.

    If you want a coke out of the vending machine, either the cash slot is stuffed, jammed with garbage or there just isn't even an option for cash.

    Many MANY businesses don't accept cash any more as it's an ATO liability for them (cash only/cash heavy business is scrutinised heavily by the establishment).

    And the problem is that regardless, you get paid electronically (most likely) so you are 'on the grid' straight from the start.

  • vv4rhead on 24/01/2024 - 10:43
    +1

    Specific to the example of paying your bills at australia post:

    I usually hear people complaining about the inverse situation where they are charged a credit card fee and i don't understand the issue. It costs money to process this transaction, for a Visa/mastercard they're keeping servers running that manage the authentication with your bank, they're supporting businesses to setup their POS's etc, that all costs money.

    In your situation, why should auspost pay an employee to manage the paying of your bill? They could be doing useful other things rather than counting your cash, submitting the payment etc. Is auspost the only way you can pay your bill in cash? I assume your biller doesn't allow you to go to their headquarters with cash anymore? If there's a situation you should be irritated by, that should probably be it.

    I don't really like cash, psychologically it doesn't make as much sense to me or plenty of other people in my demographic as numbers on a computer. It makes it harder to budget and manage me money, not to mention it means i'm constantly loosing out on inflation. But if you want to use it that's totally cool, just please don't act like "I'll come right now with cash" is a better offer when you're lowballing me on facebook marketplace.

  • BuddhaBoy on 24/01/2024 - 13:28
    +2

    Dude on one post you are asking info on comparing crypto exchanges and transactions and on this post going all-in in cash?! Ffs.

    To answer your question -

    It is possible. With a lot of hassle and pain.
    Enjoy.

  • samfisher5986 on 24/01/2024 - 15:11
    +1

    Its cheaper to use banks but old people will tell you cash is cheaper/better in some way.

    • Soluble on 24/01/2024 - 19:04
      +1

      Because with cash the banks don't get their cut of the card processing fees, which they charge to the businesses, which the businesses charge you for? It's no secret..

      How is it cheaper to pay with card vs cash? For who?

      • samfisher5986 on 24/01/2024 - 19:53
        +2

        If you pay with cash you are paying the same price as the people with bank cards.

        Also there are huge savings for businesses if they use cards. You can have half the cashiers and you don't have to spend time or pay for cash transport/deposits.

        Cash has the illusion of being cheaper for businesses because certain businesses give discount for cash but thats only because they then won't report that to the ATO.

        • valuer on 24/01/2024 - 20:54
          +1

          It (no cash) also reduces staff pilfering.

          Customer used to be #1.

  • Drakesy on 24/01/2024 - 15:48
    +4

    It does make the daily nose beers harder to do.

  • franco cozzo on 24/01/2024 - 19:19

    some food for thought here….
    https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8rptpk

    franco cozzo on 24/01/2024 - 19:19 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
    • stormster on 24/01/2024 - 21:42
      +1

      Unfortunately, a majority of people just dismiss the type of stuff said here as bullshit without listening for more than 30 seconds. It doesn't hurt to listen and perhaps consider and care about what may happen in the future.

      • jackspratt on 24/01/2024 - 23:39

        Does it have any relevance to the subject of the thread?

        If so, perhaps a time stamp would be appropriate, rather than expecting people to sit through an hour and a half of diatribe from 2 of the greatest right-wing conspiracy theorists of this century.

        I lasted about 3 minutes, having to digest Carlson's hagiography of Alex Jones, the Sandy Hook denier.

        I then took a quick shower.

        • stormster on 25/01/2024 - 00:21
          +1

          I wasn't attacking anyone, more just pointing out that people are too quick to dismiss alternative, and perhaps uncomfortable, points of view, left or right leaning. A time stamp would have been nice. I watched it all, some of which makes sense, some of which may be a bit far fetched, but going cashless as a means of control was talked about for 5-10 minutes.

        • franco cozzo on 25/01/2024 - 06:20
          -1

          tucker & carlson are both hugely entertaining & interesting…you fully indoctrinated lefties are so dismissive of anything that isnt part of the mainstream narrative that supports your view.

          • CrowReally on 25/01/2024 - 12:05

            @franco cozzo: Fill your brain with "Tucker and Carlson" to make the left suffer, this is an excellent strategy and you should do as much of it as you can

            I can't wait to see how those fully indoctrinated lefties try to cope with that

          • jackspratt on 25/01/2024 - 13:04
            +1

            @franco cozzo: Is it "tucker" that was caught sending emails detailing what a total farkwit, and how dangerous, Trump is - and then going on his Fox "show" and praising Trump's intelligence and leadership?

            Or was it "carlson"?

            Either way, one of them is a whiny hypocrite.

            But fill ya' boots.

  • stormster on 24/01/2024 - 21:29
    +6

    My thoughts are we should use cash as much as possible. The main reason is that I hate the surveillance. I want to spend my money when and how I want without the government or large corporations knowing every little thing about me. Is this difficult, yes. However, using cash sometimes can be achieved, even a majority of the time. It's always funny to see people who can't pay with their cards when EFTPOS facilities go down.

    • smartazz104 on 25/01/2024 - 09:10
      +1

      It's always funny to see people who can't pay with their cards when EFTPOS facilities go down.

      Better chance of losing your wallet.

    • samfisher5986 on 25/01/2024 - 12:28
      +1

      How are you going to withdraw your cash when the ATM goes down?

      if EFTPOS has gone down then chances are the whole retail machine is down so they can't process your cash either.

      A lot of EFTPOS machines also support offline payments as well.

      Your scenario only works in a handful of situations.

  • kaleidoscope on 24/01/2024 - 23:29

    Recently rented a car with ezi, and they only accept plastic card of the main driver and nothing else. (no cash, no paywave etc..)

    I find it funny assuming I could even withdraw money using paywave without dramas and without additional cost (thanks UP banking!)

  • bobbieb on 25/01/2024 - 06:17

    I managed to stay mostly cash based up until the panic of the last few years.

    It wasn’t all that hard - very few bricks and mortar establishments have gone fully cashless yet.

    Gotta say, I haven’t gone back to cash now that things are back to normal. Using cash exclusively may be possible, but is honestly a big inconvenience jump. It’s hard to beat phone payments now that the respective wallet regimes are established, relliable and trusted.

  • pipe on 25/01/2024 - 11:21
    +2

    It is quite simple. Do you want your money eaten up by merchant fees?

    • techno2000 on 25/01/2024 - 13:44
      +3

      Yes $100 transacted 100 times.The banks and Paypal/Visa/Mastercard/Amex will have eaten $100 in fees whereas a $100 note still remains at the end.

      • joelmuzz on 26/01/2024 - 16:17
        +1

        Cash has a handling cost. Armourguard is asking for a government handout to stay afloat since reduced cash usage means businesses aren't paying them to deliver change and securely take the cash away anymore.

        Some ships were paying for a few drops a day plus electronic safe rental. Now low cash turnover means the manager just does a deposit ATM drop each night.

      • helldoodle on 01/02/2024 - 00:34

        you must be a kid, early days of paypal when it was a escrow service, to send 100 you used to have to pay 100+fees you are trying to pretend that 100 will always stay 100? ok i will give you change for 100 for a fee, and here is your 80$ in change

  • mitty on 25/01/2024 - 14:01
    +1

    All I can think is if for some reason we had to revert to a completely cash economy, the amount of crime and home invasions would increase massively.

    I recall the single time I sold my car, the guy paid me in cash, it was too late in the day to take it to the bank so I had to wait until the next morning. I honestly didn't sleep well that night knowing I had that much cash in the house, even though nobody knew and my place is relatively secure.

    Regarding merchant fees, well most of the places I shop they are built into the price… so you pay the same price whether you use cash or card. The only way that would change is if cards were eliminated, and that's quite obviously not going to happen.

    To the people complaining about merchant fees, I'd love to see the kinds of things they spend their money on. There are probably heaps of stuff they could do without that will save them way more than merchant fees.

  • yamahamoto on 25/01/2024 - 15:27

    ME bank have an outage since 8pm last night with no ETA on fixes. Imagine that happens to a couple of big 4 banks at once. Cash will be here for a long long time.

    • whatgift on 25/01/2024 - 23:32
      +1

      No it won't - what the banks and telecommunications companies need to do is build better redundancies in their systems. The government needs penalties for outages to encourage this. It's already happening in other countries, where if a mobile carrier goes down, the service switches to another carrier.

      • cloudy on 26/01/2024 - 00:13

        It's already happening in other countries, where if a mobile carrier goes down, the service switches to another carrier.

        we alreeady have this for 000 calls….how did that work when tested in real life?
        https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-20/optus-outage-triple-0…

        • whatgift on 26/01/2024 - 12:32

          Yep, we have some way to go, and hopefully a wake up call to all businesses and government that the systems.need to be better. Having cash as a fall back is what is holding that process back, the less it gets used the better.

    • prodrome on 27/01/2024 - 14:50

      You can still pay during an outage

      • helldoodle on 01/02/2024 - 00:32

        pay for what? you cant pump fuel if the pump has no power

        • prodrome on 01/02/2024 - 12:43

          If there is a mobile phone outage e.g. like Optus had, you can still paywave with your phone.

          • helldoodle on 01/02/2024 - 18:23

            @prodrome: as someone who just lived thru a 3 day outage in my town of 32k people, no you cant, because they dont have power to pump fuel, or to run their eft machines, we just drove 45 minutes to the town that did have full power and phone service

  • polstralian on 25/01/2024 - 15:39

    Move to Berlin.

  • helldoodle on 01/02/2024 - 00:31
    -3

    use it or lose it is a myth, society is moving towards a non-physical society, people used tapes and lost them and CDs and lost them and DVDs and lost them, we used to use gold coins and then something that represented gold and now we are just using something else, besides people who are pro physical money also don't believe in science, are more likely to fall for get rich quick Ponzi schemes as well as being anti-vaxxers.

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