2017: An experiment.

[viridis]

So, been considering this for a while now and I think, the time is probably right where I can attempt this.

The experiment sounds very easy, and by rights it should be a breeze but a few hurdles will almost definitely crop up.

The challenge is thus:

Only use electronic payment methods all year....actual Cash does not exist!

Sounds easy, until you think about it carefully....

The rules are very simple.

For all of 2017 I will only use the following methods of payment.

As well as chip and pin, online card payments and if needed, gift cards.

No actual Cash can be used to make a purchase.

If I receive actual Cash, I must transfer it into one of my digital methods and not spend the cash until it is in account.

This thread will act as a diary of events, including any situations where I have to "walk away" as the vendor didn't accept X kind of payment.

[MI5]

It's already what I do mostly but the sandwich van that comes to work is the only stumbling block.

[Anonymous]

I still use cash occasionally but I mostly use the methods you are taking about here

[Cleoriff]

It will be very interesting. Set a reminder to yourself to never visit a busy Saturday market...

[Bambino]

I suppose it's possible these days to not use cash, except, as you say @Cleoriff, buying something at a market stall, but I still always carry a small amount of cash. Seems silly to use a card or phone for petty payments of a pound or two.

[Anonymous]

Interesting @viridis ... I use payment by card a lot, even in the cafe I frequent, but at other shops it would be difficult, so I do carry a purse wish coins & notes in ... would your average pub accept non-cash payment ? 

[MI5]

Most pubs will let you run a tab and pay at the end of the night by card now.

[Anonymous]

I hadn't thought of that @MI5 ... shows I'm not much of a drinker 

All the Best with your experiment @viridis

[Cleoriff]

Another problem my son discovered when using his phone app to pay on Christmas Eve. (A transaction for £27) Payment was accepted which made him overdrawn at his bank. When he rang Halifax yesterday they explained using the phone to pay is rarely refused at retail outlets. As he has no overdraft facility, he was lucky that it only pushed him £7.00 overdrawn so incurred no charges. Not being negative about this experiment but just offering a fact or two...:smileywink:

[MI5]

Surely that applies to all cashless transactions?
Not many banks will refuse a payment for just a few quid.