My phone died at a food truck and I lost $15 because I had no cash

This happened last Tuesday at lunch. I was at my favorite taco truck downtown, ready to pay with my phone app. My battery was at like 5%, but I thought I had time. Right as I went to tap, the screen went black. The guy was super nice, but they don't take cards, only phone pay or cash. I had zero cash on me, so I had to walk away without my food. I lost the $15 I was going to spend and went hungry. It made me realize how fragile a cashless system is. If your tech fails, you're just stuck. Has anyone else been caught out like this because they didn't carry a backup?

1 comments

1 Comment

willowg8837m ago

Ugh, that's the worst feeling. My car's digital key failed at a gas station once, the app just wouldn't connect. I was stranded for an hour until my husband could bring the physical fob. It's like we're one dead battery or glitch away from being totally helpless. I keep a twenty folded up in my phone case now, just in case.