5 Ways To Help Make Money More Tangible

If we’ve become detached from physical money, then the “fix” isn’t necessarily about going backwards to a fully cash-based system—it’s about regaining awareness, control, and balance in a world where money is mostly digital. Here are some ways we can address the problem:

1. Make Digital Spending More Tangible

One reason physical cash helped people manage better was the psychological weight of parting with it. To recreate this in a digital world:

Budgeting apps with visuals: Tools that show money as jars, envelopes, or progress bars can replicate the feeling of limits. Spending alerts: Instant notifications for every purchase make money feel “real” again. Round-up savings: Apps that round up small purchases and move the difference into savings give people a sense of “handling” money, even digitally.

2. Keep Cash Alive in Daily Life

Even if we don’t rely on it fully, using cash occasionally can reconnect us with its value:

Withdraw a set amount for discretionary spending (entertainment, eating out, etc.) and stop when it’s gone. Teach children with coins and notes, so they feel the physical weight of money before shifting to digital. Businesses could offer “cash discounts” to encourage circulation.

3. Build Mindful Spending Habits

Without the tactile pause of handing over bills, we need new rituals:

Pause before tapping: Ask, “Would I hand over this amount in cash?” Weekly reflection: Print or review bank statements to see where money is going—like physically balancing a checkbook used to. Set digital friction: Add small intentional steps (like manual PIN entry or spending limits) to slow down impulse purchases.

4. Encourage Financial Education

Detachment isn’t just about technology—it’s about awareness:

Schools and families can teach not just math, but the psychology of money. Adults can benefit from workshops on budgeting in a digital era, emphasizing how invisible spending creeps up.

5. Reimagine the Role of Money in Society

Finally, there’s a bigger conversation:

Governments could ensure cash remains accessible as a safety net. Tech companies could design payment systems that don’t hide spending, but make it clearer and more transparent. As we move toward central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), design choices could prioritize clarity and user empowerment, not just convenience.

👉 In short: We can’t stop the shift to digital—but we can design tools, habits, and policies that make digital money feel real again, helping us stay connected to its value.