Have you been moving back towards cash during your Christmas shopping – or are you sticking to plastic?

Figures show a rise to almost 20% in the use of notes and coins, going up for the second year in succession.

A trade association says with the cost-of-living crisis, people are finding they can better watch their budgets with cash.

Jackie Smith, of Kennington, told KentOnline that notes and coins are a big help this festive season because of high prices.

She said: “It helps me keep an eye on what I’m spending. If you tend to put anything on a credit card, you can let that run up without really realising how much you've spent.

“If you've got cash in your purse, you know how much you’ve taken out and check as you go along how you’re doing. I’ve always preferred cash.”

Her husband Steve said: “I try to use cash all the time. I don't like cards and never have done really.

“I'm one of those old school I suppose and I find it more convenient to use cash.

“I can keep a check on what I'm spending that way rather than keep bashing a card. Then not knowing until the end of the month, when your statements come in, that you've overspent.”

John Dinsdale, of Ashford, told KentOnline: “I can completely understand why people want to go back to cash, especially as prices constantly sneak up.

“So, who knows? Maybe I will end up doing it just so I can keep an eye on my finances better.”

But at present, he said, he was sticking mainly to cards.

He said: “It’s so much easier with a contactless card.

“Usually, if I've got cash I'll use it, but it's only around birthdays or Christmases I ever really get cash.”

Ron Batchelor, also of Ashford, is sticking with plastic payment.

He said: “ I'm just carrying on exactly as I've done for quite a few years now, using a credit card.

"It’s more convenient just to carry a card. There is no shock with the bill at all.

"I keep it well controlled. I've got my budget. I keep within my pension.”

This month the British Retail Consortium published a payments survey showing the use of cash at 15.2% of transactions in 2021, the lowest over a decade, but rising to 18.8% in 2022 and then 19.9% of in 2023.

Paying with notes and coins had otherwise fallen every year from 2013 when it was 52.6%.

Debit cards remain by far the most common method of payment, increasing to 62% of transactions by 2023. These and credit card payments added up to more than 75% of transactions.

The BRC says that overall, customers visited shops more frequently but made smaller purchases, as the cost-of-living crisis continued to bite in 2023.

The total number of transactions rose from 19.6 billion to 21 billion while the average amount spent (per transaction) fell from £22.43 to £22.03.

The BRC says that cash remains a vital form of payment for a sizeable minority, particularly for budgeting.

Therefore it says it welcomes the new Financial Conduct Authority rules that began this year to support consumers’ continued access to cash.

Chris Owen, payments policy advisor for the BRC, said: “Persistent inflation and the cost of living crisis continued to affect households across the country and many consumers used cash to budget more effectively.”

Are you moving more back to cash because of the cost-of-living crisis? Comment below