I pay for almost everything with my phone now anyway, since it’s more secure even than tapping/swiping/inserting a physical card. I also grew up with parents who still stress the importance of carrying at least some cash - whether on me or keeping some at home - but I can’t get past thinking it makes more sense to have it in my bank account for things like rent and credit card payments than the tiny likelihood I’ll need it in my hands.

I’m curious how other DC folks feel about this, particularly given that DC is not a cashless city (even if most businesses allow or even prefer it), and for those who do carry cash, how much you keep on you and what you specifically use it for. I don’t mean for specific instances of a local cash-only business; more so what habits you have for which you favor or for which you go out of your way to carry cash. I used to always keep a $20 in my wallet, but that either seems silly from the standpoint of carrying any, or in our inflated world here in 2024, it may not even be enough. I try to keep small bills for tipping, since I know cash tips often can be kept under the table, but if I’m not eating out, I often don’t have any.