And why there's $9 billion in coins and notes still floating around.

In a world of Afterpay, tap and go and online shopping, cash is - surprisingly - still king.

Many said they still carry notes and coins in their wallets, and the amount of cash in circulation has almost doubled in the past 10 years.

One person spoken to by RNZ said they carried cash they received in tips from working in a restaurant, while another said her mum often gave her cash.

But a third said it felt “flippant” to carry cash: “I don’t really like to keep it because then I tend to spend it and I’m trying to control my spending.”

Some said carrying notes and coins was essential in a natural disaster.

“I do love to have cash because I kind of feel secure,” one man told First Up.

  • Dave@lemmy.nzOPM
    3·
    3 days ago

    I guess non-Dave’s are acceptable. I’m actually curious that you moved from the US to the EU and are now using more cash. I always think of the EU as being more digital on the finance side, not sure why, I’ve never been there.

    • Che Banana@beehaw.org
      6·
      3 days ago

      It’s true we have more options digitally than in the US, but for day to day around town cash is best. Most services (repairs and such) offer the choice: cash, or with invoice and pay 20% tax. Unless you are using the service for your business and can deduct it, your best option is cash because.

      Sincerely, Not Dave

        • Che Banana@beehaw.org
          4·
          2 days ago

          Nonono not tax evasion…thats illegal This is pure and simple tax avoidance

          It’s literally expected and accounted for.

          • Dave@lemmy.nzOPM
            2·
            2 days ago

            Haha it’s a weird structure to incentivise cash. Why tax those transactions at all if people can choose not to be taxed?

            • Che Banana@beehaw.org
              3·
              2 days ago

              It is strange, there are some operations that have 2 cash registers even. You get awaybwith it until you dont, and if you get caught its a heavy, heavy fine, penalties and interest.

              Our accountant actually told us our first year we were reporting too much… but we have to play it as close to legit as possible because we are the ones who are still guests in this country.

              • Dave@lemmy.nzOPM
                3·
                2 days ago

                Yeah here people get caught because most people are legit and the tax department knows what is a normal amount of cash for specific types of businesses. They can access electronic records, and see the final amount declared, so if it’s too different you get audited. Normally it’s not enough cash declared, but too much cash might look like money laundering 😆

    • emmanuel_car@kbin.run
      3·
      3 days ago

      Depends largely on where you are, but in Germany it’s fairly common to carry and pay by cash, something I’m going to have to get used to since moving from AU.