“Cash is independence” - community cash stories

The number of people using cash is growing, says the Bank of England’s own chief cashier. But behind the headline, are thousands of stories as to why millions of people don’t just need to but want to use cash: to support local businesses, protect our privacy, stick to a budget, and so much more. 

As part of our campaign to #KeepCashAlive, we asked our supporter community to share their experiences using cash - and were overwhelmed with the number of responses. 

Cash supports us when tech fails

In May, Senior Comms Officer Chloe shared how a tech outage at a Co-op left her with no way to pay. It was the first of many similar stories of cash stepping in when tech failed:

“I was in Spain during the blackout. We had cash so we were able to eat. Actually if we'd had no cash I've no idea what we'd have done and that was only one day!”

“I predominantly use cash where possible, as I have had card payments and shop/pub till systems fail.”

Cash supports disabled people

Several disability charities, like Disability Rights UK and the Royal National Institute of Blind People, have warned that the move away from cash risks excluding disabled people. This matched up to our community who shared how important cash is for retaining independence. 

“I'm autistic and I need to have cash in my hand. I get confused paying with a card and I'm unable to keep checking my bank account regularly. With cash, I know how much money I have to spend and when.”

“I have a learning disabled son who is striving for independence and learning to manage cash. Without cash he would not be able to manage his own money.”

“I have a brain injury and can have variable ability to use a card depending on the environment I am in or my fatigue and other symptoms…I find cash much easier as it is less technical and is there very clearly in my hand.”

Cash supports rural communities

Bank branch closures - of which there have been 6,000+ since 2015! - have already had a significant impact on rural communities across the UK, and the move away from cash compounds these further. 

“I live in a rural area - we don't have a reliable mobile signal and electricity cuts are not uncommon. Both shopkeepers & customers need to be able to get & use cash”

“We live in a rural village with no banking facilities for fifty miles… Cash is a vital part of every transaction we make and far preferable for most local traders wishing to avoid credit card transaction fees.”

“Living in a rural location for part of every year in the Lake District, it doesn't take a cyber attack - the internet can be very unreliable and not allow card payments very frequently. Just the other day, the community cafe in the Lake District was having connection problems and she had to tell everyone to pay in cash or if they didn't have it, trust that they would pay by bank transfer.”

Cash supports older people

Almost a fifth of older people rely on cash in their daily life, and the CEO of AgeUK London told us that retaining cash is essential “to respect the needs and wishes of older people”.  This echoes the stories kindly shared by our older supporters that cash is a lifeline, with moves to cashless shops and services locking them out of being able to pay.

“It is important to me to use cash as much as possible. I am in my seventies and do not have the confidence to do online banking”

“As a pensioner with no formal training in computer skills…I am perplexed by parking meters with unfamiliar technology. Some only accept cards and combine this restriction with unclear instructions in jargon. Sometimes I just have to drive away for fear of not being able to press the right buttons.”

Cash supports our local businesses

This move towards a cashless society hasn’t happened by chance. It’s been pushed on us by big banks and card companies, like Mastercard and Visa, because it’s in their interest for us to use their digital services, which they charge small businesses a fortune to use. Several of you highlighted how important it is to use cash to ensure our local businesses stay afloat.

“Some small businesses that I buy from prefer to be paid in cash because of the fees they incur with card payments, so I like using cash to help them.”

“Cash... does not leech money away from our communities to international service providers”

Cash supports our budgeting

More people are turning to coins and notes to help them budget, with trends like ‘cash stuffing’ growing in popularity on social media to cope with the cost of living crisis. Many of you shared how you similarly felt cash is important to keep track of your costs.

“It is much easier to budget with cash as you can't overspend”

“These days, with tapping your card at the checkout, it’s all too easy to lose track of one’s financial spending”

Cash is our choice

Of course, it’s not just about need - many of us actively want to pay with cash, but our right to do so is increasingly being denied. Whether we want to protect our privacy, or simply to feel more in control, cash is our last form of public money and many of you spoke about wanting to defend it.

“I will continue to use cash because I do not want all my transactions recorded. This is my right in a free and democratic society.”

“Cash is independence. With cash you are in control.”

From Stefanos in London to Janet in Moray, and all over the UK, your stories highlight just how important cash is to your everyday lives. Do you have similar experiences? Tell us your cash stories here. 

To make sure the government protects our right to pay with cash for everyone, sign our petition on 38 Degrees’ website today.

Sign the petition to #KeepCashAlive, and share our campaign video on Facebook, X, Bluesky and more.