I am surprised to see a non-trivial chunk of 18-29, compared to later age demographics

I suspect that "compared to later age demographics" is key to understanding it. My guess is that younger people are just more likely to be unbanked, and thus cash is their only option.

nah, there was a trend of doing Cash Budget folders, blew up on IG and Tiktok. That would explain that one.

I'm a Brit rather than a Aussie but im in that age range and use virtually entirely cash, easier for budgeting, better for privacy concerns & IMO its a element of use it or lose it. I have no doubt that various groups in various governments would like nothing better than to get rid of cash for surveillance reasons.

Definitely for privacy, but the "more aware of spending" part really depends on the person.

Until it's in my spreadsheet and makes line on graph go down, it doesn't fully register for me, regardless of payment type.

and is also resilient

That's always the cycle when it comes to giving up data for 'perks'. First there'll be benefits for complying, then those will go away, then it'll turn into penalties for people who don't comply. With the rise in technology in cars we're already seeing some insurance companies offer lower rates for people in exchange for sharing their location/driving info. I think eventually it'll shift to the point where 'default' insurance is made so expensive you'll have no choice but to share everything you do with your insurance company

Ummmm.... They just did? https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/jim-chalmers-2022/media-releases/ending-card-surcharges-help-cost-living

It'll make everything more expensive but hey, no surcharge 😕

nah I'd say that's creative accounting and billionaires