Go Cashless? No.

People in western nations are using cash for fewer and fewer transactions.

No this is not about debt.

Not really about banks.

Not about crypto.

This is about a past trend, becoming a habit, turning into the norm.?

Recently I used a ￡10 note to buy coffee and a croissant on a sunny Saturday morning at my local deli. The owner, who emigrated to London from Iran right after its revolution, was thrilled. He then turned to lament how he sees it less and less, hence prompting this article. Given his and his staff's friendliness, unique goods they sell; I love buying from his store and want them to thrive. Like many small businesses he needs that extra margin to make it.?

In 2020 he U.S. House passed the touchless transactions act Yes, touchless! It sounds so safe, unassuming, most of all easy. Many have an electronic deposit in their chosen back in exchange for their work/ labor. That bank gives you a plastic card you can carry, or now put on your phone. I have no interest in putting my banking cards or touchless on my phone, it's just too much valuable data in one place. Off you go, tapping your card or phone to a scanner at your train station, gas station, charging station, coffee shop, sandwich deli, grocery store, pub, ice cream stand, even charity scanners at a museum or busker in a hallway.?

This is a sea-change. When I was a kid growing up in San Francisco most corner stores and family restaurants would either refuse cards, or frown once you whipped out your mastercard whilst they grudgingly accepted electronic payment. Cash was a fast possession of more income vs. waiting for a bank, or merchant account to reconcile payment. No questions, no fuss. The IRS could miss it, a small business owner could spread it around, you can squirrel it in your house and keep your mouth shut. Not so fast anymore. Especially since the Rona pandemic there are more and more businesses, especially big chains, saying ‘card payments only’. Scary. Are we giving banks and tax boards too much data, ergo too much control? It seems like it. On the extreme flipside cash is easier for the criminal transaction of course. A high estimate is ? of cash in circulation is used by criminals and tax cheats It seems high… Cash is best to grease bouncer hands in Vegas, or so an olde friend told me once.?

I recall in 2004 raising about $1,100 in cash in small notes for my Rugby Club, the mighty BA Baracus RFC . Filthy lucre raised from throwing a remarkable St. Patty’s Day Party featuring The Police and Sting cover band Stung that provided more funds for our shoestring Rugby budget. 4am at home, quickly sobering up after many beers, I spread out the cash sorted bills and counted it, recounted it, and counted it again. I admit I felt like Liotta in Goodfellas, more like an ordinary businessman, a high. I tip cabbies in cash. I especially like using cash when I travel than whipping out my card in unfamiliar cities and countries. I’d hate to see it disappear, if it does I believe it means less freedom.