Cash and Kids in the UK

How do you do it at home?

They use cash, but I’ve read that it’s almost impossible to use cash any more in London. Everything is touchless. That’s why I’m asking.

I don’t think touchless is mandatory at shops and restaurants any more. We mixed cash and cards at coffee shops, etc.,when we were in London last March.

They will need some kind of contactless payment system for the Tube and buses, though.

I’ve read that it’s almost impossible to use cash any more in London.

At the beginning of the pandemic, cash was actively discouraged as a health measure. That has passed.
There is a difference between credit being accepted everywhere and cash being rejected everywhere. Give your kids their spending money.

My kids have cash that they spend. Cafes and restaurants are quite often card only but they haven’t had a problem using cash in shops.

I haven’t been to the UK since Covid so I don’t know how common cash is.

But my kids (16 and 13) just got their own debit cards, funded by my account, and with no overdraft ability. If I put $50 on it, it is denied if they try to buy $51 worth of stuff. Like cash, if it’s gone it’s gone. Theirs is called Capital One Money, it’s specifically for teens, and it has no international fees. There are other banks that offer this too. Look into it if you are interested. It worked well in Spain and France last month.

but I’ve read that it’s almost impossible to use cash any more in London

Where did you read that?

Whilst payment by card or other contactless means are ubiquitous it doesn't mean that cash is now redundant. Whilst I prefer to pay by contactless there aren't that many places that won't accept cash and for those places that don't there will be others that do. Besides, I suspect that the places your daughters will want to spend their cash will almost certainly accept it.

How would you recommend handling cash and kids?

Mira has a very good way of handling it. Each child has their own card with a separate card number allowing you to control it as much as you need. If they have phones, you can setup Apple or Google Pay for each card. If one of them misplaces their card, it does not have problems for the other cards tied to the account.

I just gave my daughter a charge card branched from one of my charge cards for her use at home and abroad. This was over 20 years ago, but it will work even better now, IMO. I'd rather give a teenager a credit card than a debit card, but that is just me and perhaps Capital One has solved the liability issue with the teen card. I do think the credit card gives more leeway in a crisis though, in letting the teenager act independently if need be.

And I love the Apple Pay suggestion!

We were in London in February, and used a mix of cash and cards. A couple of places wouldn't take cash, a couple wouldn't take cards. Almost every place we went accepted both.

Great suggestions and advice. Thank you!