Managing everyday spending: how cash can help

The weekly shop feels more expensive. A quick trip to the supermarket somehow turns into $80. Coffee, parking, household basics… the small purchases add up fast.

With cost-of-living pressures continuing across Australia, many people are paying closer attention to how and where they spend their money. 

For many Australians, cash is part of that conversation. 

Recent Reserve Bank research found around half of Australians still use cash in a typical week, with older Australians among the most regular users. 

Why some people still prefer cash 

For many people, cash creates something digital payments sometimes don’t: visibility. 

You can physically see what you’re spending. You know how much you have left. And for some households, that makes budgeting feel simpler and more manageable. 

Some people withdraw a set amount each week for groceries or everyday spending. Others prefer using cash for smaller purchases because it helps create clearer boundaries around spending. 

It’s not about avoiding digital payments. Australians are using more payment options than ever before. 

But many people value the feeling of control cash can provide, particularly when budgets are tighter. 

The “little purchases” effect 

One of the biggest budgeting challenges isn’t always large expenses. It’s the smaller purchases that don’t seem significant in the moment. 

A takeaway coffee. Parking. A few extra items at the shops. An online order you didn’t plan on making. 

Individually they may feel minor, but over time they can add up quickly. 

For some, cash creates a natural pause before spending. Handing over physical money can make purchases feel more deliberate and easier to keep track of throughout the week. 

That awareness is one reason many people continue to keep cash as part of their everyday spending habits.

Confidence and familiarity matter too 

For many seniors, cash is also familiar. 

It offers a straightforward way to manage money without needing to rely entirely on apps, online banking or card payments for every transaction. 

And while payment habits continue to evolve, access to cash remains important. Reserve Bank research found one in three Australians would face hardship or major inconvenience if cash became difficult to access. 

Why access still matters 

For cash to remain practical, it needs to be easy to access. 

That’s where reliable ATM access plays an important role, particularly in communities where bank branches may not be nearby. 

atmx is Australia’s largest fee-free ATM network, with approximately 2,100 ATMs across metro and regional Australia. 

Through participating financial institutions, many Australians can withdraw cash at atmx machines without paying a fee, helping make everyday access simpler and more affordable. 

Looking ahead 

Australians manage money in different ways, and there is no single approach that works for everyone. 

But during periods of cost-of-living pressure, many people are looking for practical tools that help them feel more aware, more confident and more in control of their spending. 

For many Australians, cash remains one of those tools.