Well, I have to say, there have been zero problems for me to function without cash.  I have been running this experience for the past 11 days and there has not been a single instance where I have needed cash.  I have been to the local store to pick up a paper, I have been to grocers for veggies, I have been to bakers for bread and on each occasion I have used a card – as you would expect in this day and age!

Mind you – there have been a few Luddites hanging around preaching doom and gloom and the collapse of society as we know it, but … it hasn’t happened!  I know we are only 11 days in but I am guessing that this experience is the standard for the year.  Some have said to me that I will be challenged having a coffee in Europe and yet I really question that supposition.  I have been to many places in Europe and a simple tap and go is the way to pay so I cannot see this as an issue.

The one area in which I am nervous is the visit to the local market.  I went to our local market at Flinders (Victoria, Australia) the other day.  There were stallholders with electronic payment devices to manage POS card payments.  How good is that?  Yes, there were stalls that were cash only but I am guessing this will be the last year for that particular idiosyncracy!