The Hard Shoulder Should we still carry cash?
Aug 12, 2025
In a lively discussion, Ian O’Doherty, a columnist at the Irish Independent, dives into the relevance of cash in our increasingly cashless society. He shares eye-opening statistics revealing that 41% of people occasionally find themselves without cash when they need it most. The conversation spans the cultural nuances of tipping and personal experiences contrasting cash and digital payments. They also tackle the drawbacks of a cashless society, including privacy concerns and the generational divide in payment preferences.
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Flight Forced Me Back To Cash
- Ian O'Doherty recounts being caught without cash on a flight where even snacks required card payments.
- He says carrying notes gives him clear spending limits and comfort that digital balances don't provide.
Power Outage Proved Cash's Value
- Kieran and callers share examples from a 30-hour power outage in Spain where cash paid for meals and travel when cards failed.
- Several guests say they now keep 20–40 euros in pocket for similar outages.
Carry A Small Cash Emergency Fund
- Keep a small emergency amount of cash for places that require notes for tips or parking.
- Use a modest reserve like €20–€40 to avoid awkward situations when machines or systems fail.