When it comes to 'readies', women carry just £20.50 on average, and men £27.10

With card payments increasingly the norm, perhaps it should come as no surprise that people typically don't carry much cash nowadays.

In fact, new research from budgeting account provider thinkmoney reveals 6% of adults had no money on them when questioned, which works out to around 3 million people across the UK. Young people were more likely to have no cash on them - 9% of those aged 18-24 had nothing in their pockets, compared with just 1% of those aged 55 to 64.
 
Women typically carry less cash than men.  One in four women questioned had between £1 and £5 on them at the time.  On average, women told thinkmoney's researcher that they had just £20.50 in their pockets and purse, whilst men had 32% more on them - £27.50.
 
Men were also more likely to be carrying larger amount of cash.  One in six men (17%) had £50 or more in their wallet, compared with 11% of women.  Again, older Brits are significantly more likely to carry larger amounts of cash.  For example, just 1% of those aged 18-24 had a wodge of £100 on more on them, compared with 5% of 55-64 year olds and 10% of people over 65.  It seems that many older people just can't get into the habit of relying on cards.
 
The amount of cash Brits carry also varies depending on where they live.  UK residents in the South East carry an average of £25.10, compared with those in the North East, who carry an average of £18.70.
 
Ian Williams, director of communications at budgeting account provider thinkmoney, commented:  "There are very few places these days where you can't pay with a debit or credit card. Even, taxis, pubs and parking machines often accept cards. And with the growing popularity of online and mobile payments, there is really less need to carry that 'wodge'."