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The Story Well is a home for thoughtful writing across every topic. Fiction and nonfiction. Personal stories and imagined worlds. Reflections, insights, and moments that help readers understand themselves and the world.

A Cashless Society May Be Inevitable

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Can protests stop or delay what is already in progress?

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Photo by SpotOn on Unsplash

For the past 30 years, I have been hearing about a cashless society coming. This was first brought to my attention by a woman in 1985. She said one day in the future we would only use credit cards as we neared the end of the world and people took on the mark of the beast.

At the time, this did not sound realistic, even though one of my brothers told me the same. He said using cards instead of cash would usher in the era of the Anti-Christ and the Great Tribulation.

Some Christians believe Jesus will return for His church before this cashless change is implemented. Others say Christ won’t return until after the Great Tribulation.

Regardless of when Christ returns, society is already heading towards the paperless change. This sounds like a good plan to some, but the idea of not being able to use paper money and coins is disturbing to me and others.

Using a prepaid card would benefit those who use public transportation because they would not have to be concerned about having exact change. For me, not being able to give a few dollars to a homeless person or reward my grandchildren with cash is unthinkable.

How would we pay teens who are selling food or having a car wash to raise funds? Will they have to use scanners to take credit and debit card payments or just scan phones for Google Pay?

This morning, the reality of a cashless society hit me hard. My washer has not been working, and I use local laundromats. The one I went to today no longer takes change.

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I was charged $3.50 to use the ATM, which gave me two ten-dollar bills rather than a twenty. I had to purchase two separate ten-dollar cards, which were $1.00 each. I spent $5.50 more than I intended.

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Photo by Oli Woodman on Unsplash

Knowing my change and dollars may not be worth anything is an eye-opener. Realizing that one day I will not have the choice of using currency and will incur extra fees is troubling.

Systems can fail, so if there is a glitch, you will not have the option to pay cash. I don’t want that choice taken away, and I pray that becoming a totally cashless society is not fulfilled while I am on the earth.

CashApp, Zelle, Venmo, and other apps are convenient ways to pay bills and transfer money, but many people still desire the ability to choose.

A young man who shoveled my yard after it snowed used CashApp, and I did enjoy not using cash for that transaction. Some people today say they do not keep cash on them and only use apps.

Those of us who want the best of both worlds believe we should be able to. No more writing checks or leaving cash tips may seem ideal, but it limits the methods that can be used.

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Photo by Jp Valery on Unsplash

I realize that some are fully on board with the new system that is coming, but many of us who grew up differently are uneasy.

I remember owning a piggy bank filled with change and my great-grandmother having a jar loaded with silver dollars and fifty-cent pieces. I have always enjoyed picking up pennies, saving them, and placing them in paper holders.

My friends and I would take the penny holders to the bank and exchange them for cash. I understand that if I am still living when our society goes fully cashless, I will have no choice but to get on board, but I won’t like it. I also realize that I am not alone.

Sadly, those who oppose this new way of life may not have a choice in the matter. Nobody polled laundromat users to ask what they thought. The decision was made for them. mewh

Somewhere out there, changes are being implemented as we speak that will affect society. Meanwhile, there are protests to prove that cash is necessary. Will they make a difference and delay what some say is inevitable? Only time will tell.

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Cheryl Preston
Cheryl Preston

Written by Cheryl Preston

Enjoys writing about faith, spirituality, baby boomers, natural health, and pop culture

The Story Well
The Story Well

Published in The Story Well

The Story Well is a home for thoughtful writing across every topic. Fiction and nonfiction. Personal stories and imagined worlds. Reflections, insights, and moments that help readers understand themselves and the world.