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£100 letter

Cash counts

Mark Palmer’s thoughts (February) are the ‘tip’ of the iceberg regarding cash versus plastic/tech. I feel vulnerable if I don’t have cash in my wallet, and always have an ‘emergency’ £10 tucked in the back.

I abhor the large group surcharge, which doesn’t guarantee better service and is difficult to dispute when challenged, but I have no hesitation and have been successful, more to the embarrassment of the establishment/staff than myself.

Likewise, as Mark stated, on holiday in Orlando, USA, I was questioned by other guests why the staff appeared to give us better service. I just asked if they tipped the waiters in cash!

I have heard that even street buskers and charities have taken to accepting electronic payments. The phrase ‘cash is king’ is like our minds and bodies; use it or lose it, please!

Bob Cruikshanks, Somerset

Money talks

I will be 73 years young in July. I always carry cash and love when I go to a restaurant and can tip our waiter/waitress in cash. They are so appreciative of the gesture. So, I guess I’m like Jacob Rees-Mogg. We cannot become like America! We copy them in so many other ways. We must protect cash at all costs. I’ll continue to carry and use cash for as long as I can. It is essential, especially when there are blips with technology.

Charlotte McGowan by email

Cat-astrophic!

Have Saga Magazine readers spotted the latest ‘scandal’ regarding cat food? My precious rescue cat, Holly, has been enjoying her food pouches for all her life, but suddenly the brand has reduced the weight of them from 100g to 85g. Holly has been forced onto an unnecessary diet by losing 15% of her meals!

Fat cats Margaret highlights that her cat’s favourite food brand has shrunk its pouches but not its prices

This is just another sneaky price rise of 15%. I’m shocked at the high-handed attitude of the manufacturers who think they can foist on to us another ‘inflation’ and hope we won’t notice. I promise you, my cat notices. She can’t be fobbed off with short rations!

Margaret Stephenson Middlesbrough, Yorkshire

Work this way

I agree with Jenni Murray about the employability of older people (March). We do have lots of skills learnt over our working years. However, as there are many younger people looking for jobs, I wonder about an older person filling those positions. When I retired, as I didn’t need a wage, I took up a voluntary role. I’m still able to share my experiences, but I’m not taking away a paid position from a younger person. I will be 74 this year and volunteer in an office. I edit our village magazine too. Volunteers are the backbone of this country and as an aside, I’ve also been a Brown Owl at a Brownie unit for the past 47 years.