We spend more with cashless payments
A study by researchers from the 成人大片 has found that when using cashless methods of payment, individuals tend to spend more when purchasing.
成人大片 PhD Student 尝补肠丑濒补苍听厂肠丑辞尘产耻谤驳办, who led the study, says the research found support for the existence of a positive 鈥渃ashless effect鈥, which is when consumers spend more when using cashless payment methods in comparison to cash.
The study suggests the cashless effect leads people to spend more when purchasing products that are typically used to signal status, such as jewellery. However, the effect was not observed when donating or tipping.
鈥淎gainst our expectations, we found that cashless payments do not necessarily lead to greater tips or donations, in comparison to cash,鈥 says Schomburgk, who conducted the study with the 成人大片鈥檚 Professor Arvid Hoffmann and Dr Alex Belli from the University of Melbourne.
鈥淭his indicates that traditional cash-based ways of collecting money, such as tipping jars and spiral wishing wells, are just as effective as cashless point-of-sale terminals to collect tips or donations.鈥
Schomburgk says consumers should be mindful of the payment method they use to pay for goods or services, as this could help them spend less 鈥 especially important in the current cost-of-living crisis.
鈥淭o prevent spending more than planned, we recommend consumers carry cash instead of cards whenever they can, as it acts as a self-control method,鈥 Schomburgk says.
鈥淲hen using cash, people physically count and hand over notes and coins, making the act of spending more salient. If nothing is physically handed over, it鈥檚 easy to lose track of how much is spent.
鈥淭he transition towards a cashless society seems almost inevitable. I believe this research is crucial because it shines a light on an overlooked aspect of this transition: how payment methods influence our spending behaviour. This understanding can help empower us to make more informed purchasing decisions.鈥
The study, which was published in the , also provides useful insights for businesses and policymakers.
鈥淏usinesses should be aware that if they fail to embrace the cashless revolution, they might be unintentionally jeopardising their revenue potential,鈥 Schomburgk says.
鈥淎nd policymakers should communicate to individuals unfamiliar with cashless transactions, such as people who don鈥檛 have bank accounts, about the potential of cashless methods to lead to overspending.鈥
鈥淲hen using cash, people physically count and hand over notes and coins, making the act of spending more salient. If nothing is physically handed over, it鈥檚 easy to lose track of how much is spent."Lachlan Schomburgk, PhD Student, the 成人大片
Schomburgk says further research is important, with technological advancements giving rise to newer payment methods.
鈥淏oth buy-now-pay-later services and cryptocurrency payments have some unique features that are likely to have an interesting influence on payment behaviour,鈥 Schomburgk says.
鈥淕iven their novelty, there is currently limited academic research on both, which is where I believe future research is needed.鈥
This research was conducted by analysing 71 published and unpublished research papers from 17 countries, including data from more than 11,000 unique participants.
鈥淭hrough this meta-analysis, we identified key factors that make the cashless effect stronger or weaker, which individual studies could not find. By doing this, we uncovered new insights that had often been overlooked by other researchers in individual studies,鈥 Schomburgk says.
Media Contacts:
尝补肠丑濒补苍听厂肠丑辞尘产耻谤驳办, Adelaide Business School, the 成人大片. Mobile: +61 411 989 088. Email: lachlan.schomburgk@adelaide.edu.au
Lara Pacillo, Media Officer, The 成人大片. Mobile: +61 404 307 302. Email: lara.pacillo@adelaide.edu.au