this post was submitted on 20 Apr 2026
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[–] blind3rdeye@aussie.zone 6 points 4 days ago

It used to be that credit card companies would give 'rewards' to users for the privilege of being about to track their spending. Now it seems to be the opposite. I reckon that means banks have too much power.

I use cash quite a bit, and it isn't all about the transaction fees.

[–] DavidDoesLemmy@aussie.zone 17 points 5 days ago (1 children)

The card surcharges are so annoying. I'm moving to cash until they ban them.

[–] ProbablyNotAnExpert@aussie.zone 11 points 5 days ago (3 children)
[–] slazer2au@lemmy.world 7 points 5 days ago

Instead of one surcharge at the end, it will be a dozen smaller ones on each product. Yay .......

[–] DavidDoesLemmy@aussie.zone 5 points 5 days ago

It won't take effect until later this year. I'm talking about the time between now and when it takes effect.

[–] taygaloocat@leminal.space 6 points 5 days ago

It'll take a while to kick in

[–] eureka@aussie.zone 11 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (3 children)

I've used cash a fair bit in the past year, for a few reasons. I know some food places prefer it (I ask even if I don't see a surcharge, since I have it on me anyway), one otherwise-normal shop I know simply doesn't accept card payments at all (has an ATM in the store), I know a tradie or two who offer cash-in-hand jobs in the future to bypass their regular employer's large cut, and sometimes I simply don't like banks knowing my spending habits and potentially running analytics on them.

I am surprised to see a non-trivial chunk of 18-29, compared to later age demographics, using all cash.

[–] Taleya@aussie.zone 2 points 4 days ago

nah, there was a trend of doing Cash Budget folders, blew up on IG and Tiktok. That would explain that one.

[–] Zagorath@quokk.au 5 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I am surprised to see a non-trivial chunk of 18-29, compared to later age demographics

I suspect that "compared to later age demographics" is key to understanding it. My guess is that younger people are just more likely to be unbanked, and thus cash is their only option.

[–] FreedomAdvocate@lemmy.net.au 2 points 3 days ago

Young people can’t really be “unbanked” unless they’re unemployed.

[–] Hansae@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I'm a Brit rather than a Aussie but im in that age range and use virtually entirely cash, easier for budgeting, better for privacy concerns & IMO its a element of use it or lose it. I have no doubt that various groups in various governments would like nothing better than to get rid of cash for surveillance reasons.

[–] eureka@aussie.zone 2 points 4 days ago

I have no doubt that various groups in various governments would like nothing better than to get rid of cash for surveillance reasons.

Yes, not to mention corporate groups too (banks, online purchasing, loyalty cards, ... ).

[–] tombruzzo@aussie.zone 7 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I can save 1-10% on some things by using cash. Do that over a year and it all adds up. Isn't that the sort of financial advice some motivational speaker would give you?

[–] FreedomAdvocate@lemmy.net.au 0 points 3 days ago (1 children)

What are you saving even 1% on by paying cash? Dodgy tradies?

[–] tombruzzo@aussie.zone 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Haircuts and every food place that has a surcharge for card

[–] FreedomAdvocate@lemmy.net.au 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I’ve never seen a 10% card surcharge?

[–] tombruzzo@aussie.zone 2 points 1 day ago

That one wasn't card. I got a haircut and it came to $55.95 but I only had $55 cash so the guy said to just give him $50. That works out to more than a 10% saving for going cash

[–] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 3 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Cash drives the tax evasion economy.

[–] Taleya@aussie.zone 3 points 4 days ago

nah I'd say that's creative accounting and billionaires