I have never examined the studies about cash vs digital payments.  I have used cash for most things for a very long time.  I even use money orders for some purchases to isolate that data stream (unwanted future sales pitches, linking their data base to my personal info, etc).  I made this change about 10 years ago.  I got tired of 'gotcha' aspects of credit cards, and the loan-sharking level of 'fees' associated with same.  Life is much simpler and less stressful since I acknowledged my penchant for overspending when using credit - and switched to doing most transactions with cash. 

Good post, but....

This is the only point I have trouble with.

I pay the same price in cash as the guy behind me is paying for the same item using a debit/credit card.

He pays .89 for a Snickers bar, I pay the same.

Now, I agree that the merchant probably charges more because of credit cards/debit cards, but as a cash user, I still pay the price.

Some merchants give pennies off for using cash, mostly gas, and some have set limits on how little you can spend using a card.

Example: A local store here has a sign that states you must spend at least 5 dollars if using a card.

There are a few stores here that do the same thing, set a minimum amount if using a card. What bullshit.

So that's why your sugar isn't under control, mister! JK.

The price should actually be lower for cash, and is in some places. Others don't charge the lower price to make as much as they can.

Moral of the story? You can't hack money. No one knows it's your Geo. Washington if it's rag. If it's a card...they make money off you by selling your data as well.

I have never seen a store/merchant that charges less for cash, except when purchasing gas.

I have been to faire stores where they will charge lower prices as it directly affects them how much they get charged for credit card usage rates.  Larger stores just absorb the cost and raise general prices to compensate.  Also at smaller stores you can haggle using cash versus larger stores will tell you the price is the price and tell you to politely take a walk if you try to haggle, at least most of the time.

I Australia the guy using card will pay less. Because for some stupid reason our 1 and 2 cent coins are no longer in circulation.

That means something for 89 cents will be 89 cents via card, but if you pay cash it will be rounded up to 90 cents.

The exception proves what I contend. 

And so what? Aren't the other 4 reasons enough for you?!

That was agreeing with all but one point. 

actually, 20 years ago, it was quite common to have a 'cash' discount.   alas, those days a re long gone.

Some places in Australia still do that, mostly electronic/white goods stores and some furniture places.

My main problem with cards is that some places charge you x <currency> extra for using cards. I learned some years ago that this is due to stores with cardmachines have to pay monthy or so for having them!!

I thought cards were invented and spread so shopping would be safer but i's obviously combined with making moeny

This may be a breach of contract on their part. It should be explicitly forbidden by the supplier of the card system in use.

The only time I use cash is when there's no other choice. Hell, even the hot dog cart accepts cards nowadays. I use it because it's convenient and provides much better opportunities to see how much money you actually spend. If you use cash, I doubt you can be specific down to the cent on how much money you spent on food the last month/year.

except unless everyone and dog pays by cash, the merchant will still be forking out for the card fees. they ain't going to be lowering the "increases" due to cards.

i believe there are court cases against the likes of visa on the fees they charge (at least in europe). whilst i don't know how much they charge the merchants, whether it's a percentage or flat fee per transaction (on top of any periodic subscription) it would make sense that the lower the price of a transaction, the more costly it is to process it by card (relatively speaking). hence the minimum transaction fee in places.

places that charge less for cash nowadays... are less likely to be shops, but rather some cowboy who doesn't pay tax for a job. no cheque/card, no receipt, no records, no tax. or however they cook their books.