The practice of paying with cash, once a method to secure discounts, has shifted dramatically. Consumers now often face additional fees ranging from $1 to $6 when opting to use cash instead of digital payments. This trend reflects a broader shift in the financial landscape, where cash is increasingly seen as less convenient and more costly for both consumers and merchants. Despite this, some businesses, like a high-volume dry cleaner, still offer cash discounts, highlighting the ongoing debate over the costs and benefits of cash transactions. The average merchant credit card fee stands at 2.4%, but handling cash also incurs costs. Questions about the status of legal tender and insights from Matt Levine further complicate the issue.