Money is becoming conditional: the shift to a cashless economy is sorting people. I point out that 4 in 10 Americans don't use cash in a typical week, up from 24% nine years ago. You see a clear divide — if you make over $100k you tap your phone, and if you make under $30k you count bills. We note that 5 million American households have no bank account and that tap-only stores or app-only parking leave them out. I ask where those people will shop or park, and you should think about who gets left behind before the door closes.

Takeaways:

• You should know cash use is falling; I say four in ten Americans don't use cash in a typical week.
• You see the gap widening: I say money is becoming conditional by income level.
• We point out that five million American households have no bank account, and I ask where they shop when stores go tap only.
• You face practical problems if cash disappears: I describe parking and everyday services moving to apps and excluding people without digital access.
• We warn that the system is sorting people by wealth; I say it requires credit scores to participate and asks who will be left behind when the door closes.

Links referenced in this episode:

• jamesabrown.net