I believe there will come a day when mass outages the world over will make EFTPOS transactions impossible.
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That’s a good point, and here I am, walking around with zero cash most of the time. I just trust my cards way too much. But yeah, if a big outage ever hits, I’ll probably be the one stuck looking at a vending machine, wishing I had a few coins. Maybe I should rethink this.
Can’t hurt to have $1000 squirreled away under your…?
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I always keep some cash in my pocket - the window cleaner, the bin cleaners for example but not a lot else.
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A discreet visit to the cinema perhaps …
Don’t forget to carry enough loose change for yer Kia Ora and that little tub of ice cream!
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ooh, I remember watching that in my debauched days. 
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And I bet you paid in cash! 
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I have no idea where/how I watched it.
Must have been a Betacord video player.
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Any cash in my pocket soon makes its way out.
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I make sure that I’m carrying a pound coin when visiting certain supermarkets. It’s very frustrating to go for a trolley and then remember that you’re coinless! 
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I printed a device on my 3D printer that unlocks these tethered trolleys, fortunately the trolleys at my local supermarkets are free to roam but it comes in handy in Canberra where it is the law that they be tethered (I think, because they always are)
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Maybe we need to boycott places that don’t take cash?
I’m sure they would soon have a rethink.
There was an article in a newspaper (can’t remember which one) which was advising people to stock up with cash as the number of outages are getting worse, even ATM’s are in danger of being hacked. Although I do use my card for a lot of transactions I also ensure I have a supply of cash.
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Those places that no longer accept cash realise that they would lose some trade.
But there are enough people willing to use card only to keep them afloat.
The only place I know that won’t take cash is my local designer butcher. But I can see the reasoning: they’d rather not be handing out blood soaked change.
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Fair point, Mr d00d. We use cash local trades - window washer, the bin cleaner, and not a lot else…
Why would they care if a few customers boycott them? Most won’t bother, handling cash costs more time and money than card transactions.
I am very happy to use cards though I do keep cash for emergencies.
However as cash is now more expensive to use than card transactions I think it should be free - I can see another letter to my MP coming up.
Not for us.
While that might be true for the individual it costs business a lot in time and transport to get cash to the bank whereas card transaction are instant money in the bank.
it cost the banks $50 to bail out Armaguard guess who ends up paying that?
Cash was only used in 16% of transactions in 2022 according to the Reserve Bank. Presumably it is even less now.
I suspect cash will remain but who uses it except at Op shops and sausage sizzles? Even cheques will disappear in 2028
The banking industry plays a significant role in promoting digital and cashless transactions, although it’s part of a broader trend driven by various factors, the main overriding factor is the Banking Industry will receive a % of every transaction made, profiting from both consumers and businesses. Current generation may slow this transition, but as generations go by digital / cashless transactions will become the norm.