Cash is making a comeback. The cost of living crisis means that millions of people have to watch every penny and cannot afford to get carried away with credit cards or contactless ones.

The number of people using cash for day-to-day spending is at a four-year high and cash is used for 12% of all transactions. It gives greater control of our money and does not fool us into thinking we have more money than we do.

Supermarket shopping may take a little longer using cash and sticking to a budget but it is satsifying to cut grocery bills. You can also cut food waste if you plan for meals rather than buying the same things every week and throwing quite a bit when it goes off.

There is new help in keeping cash in our wallets. After 6,000 bank branches closing in recent years banks are being required not to close any more from next year without making sure that local people will still have access to cash.

Now is the time to avoid "card only" retailers and tell them why.

Cash can allow you to treat yourself and may mean that your money does not run out before the month does.

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