Cash, card or phone: how do you pay for things these days?

[Zoe90]

How we pay for things has changed dramatically in a short time. A decade ago, cash was still common in shops, pubs and taxis. The pandemic pushed many places towards contactless payments, and now plenty of people rarely touch cash at all. Phones and smartwatches have become wallets for millions

There are good reasons for each option. Contactless is quick and convenient, phone payments add extra security through fingerprint or face checks and cards work almost everywhere. Cash, on the other hand, helps some people stick to a budget, works when card machines fail and gives privacy that digital payments do not. Some groups have raised concerns about older people and those without bank accounts being left behind as cash disappears

There are also places that still prefer cash, like some market stalls, car boot sales, small cafes and tradespeople. Others have gone card only, which can catch people out. A few countries have moved almost entirely to digital payments, while others protect access to cash by law

I pay with my phone almost everywhere now, but I still carry a small amount of cash for emergencies and for places that do not take cards. It has saved me a few times when a card machine was down

How do you pay for things these days? And do you think cash should be protected?