London on a shoestring
Upon leaving the office late for a meeting in High Wycombe, before travelling to London, I realize that I have left my wallet at home, i.e. no cash or credit cards! My colleague quickly runs down to the bank to get £50 out of the cash point. I pay for the Congestion Charge on credit card (using the number I have memorised.) In London, again, I pay for parking on the credit card as nearly all the parking meters do not take cash anymore.
I am meeting four people today, all at hotels. Going to London with only £50 in your pocket can be unsettling. Luckily for the first two meetings, my drinks are bought for me. I then have to enter an NCP car park. I search for the price list, but it is nowhere to be seen. NCP car parks are very expensive in London so I am left there thinking how long will this money last. The third meeting I feel obliged to pay which reduces my cash to £36. (The last time I stayed in an NCP that was exactly what the charge was.)
I have to walk the mile to and from my last meeting as I do not have enough money for a taxi. During this time I think about what to do if I do run out of money and cannot afford the NCP parking charge. It must happen to other people.
Luckily, the bill was lower than expected and I am on my way.
For many years I always carried a few hundred pounds spare in the car for emergencies. All people who travel a lot should do this. Tonight, I will get back into this routine
This was an interesting post. One thing I have always been curious about is how do businesspeople pay when going to hotels, drinks with clients.
Is paying by cash seen as too flashy?