58.4% feel "less sense of spending money" with cashless payments, 43.2% have experienced overspending than expected

Cashless payment is a payment method that allows you to pay without using cash, using credit cards, QR code payments, electronic money, etc. It eliminates the hassle of taking cash out of your wallet and is used in a wide range of situations, including daily shopping, restaurants, and online payments.

On the other hand, because payment is completed with just a card or smartphone, some people feel that the sense of payment is weaker compared to cash payments. By repeatedly making small payments or using multiple payment methods, there are cases where people feel they have spent more than expected after checking their statements or balances later.

Therefore, we conducted a survey of 500 men and women aged 20 to 60 nationwide regarding their feelings when making payments with cashless methods.

Survey Results Summary

58.4% feel that the sense of spending money is weaker with cashless payments (21.4% feel it very much, 37.0% feel it somewhat).

43.2% have experienced overspending than expected after checking their statements or balances (10.2% often, 33.0% sometimes).

Credit cards are the most common payment method for overspending than expected at 39.2% (multiple responses).

58.4% feel "less sense of spending money" with cashless payments

A graph showing the response rates for whether people feel a weaker sense of spending money with cashless payments compared to cash payments.

When asked if they felt a weaker sense of spending money with cashless payments compared to cash payments, 21.4% answered "very much" and 37.0% answered "somewhat." In total, 58.4% responded that they feel a weaker sense of spending money with cashless payments.

On the other hand, 20.2% felt "not much," 9.6% felt "not at all," and 11.8% answered "don't know." While a certain number of people do not feel a weaker sense of spending, the overall result shows that more than half feel a difference compared to cash payments.

With cashless payments, there is no action of handing over cash or the feeling of money decreasing from your wallet. Payment actions such as tapping a card, scanning with a smartphone, or paying within an app are simplified, which is thought to be why many people feel a weaker sense of payment.

A graph summarizing the response rates by age group for whether people feel a weaker sense of spending money with cashless payments.

Looking at the age groups, 67.0% of those in their 50s answered "very much" or "somewhat," which was higher than other age groups. The percentages for those in their 20s were 57.0%, in their 30s were 54.0%, in their 40s were 54.0%, and in their 60s were 60.0%. A weakening of the sense of spending is observed across a wide range of age groups.

43.2% have experienced overspending than expected after checking statements or balances

A graph summarizing the response rates for whether people have experienced overspending than expected after checking their statements or balances after using cashless payments.

When asked if they have experienced overspending than expected after checking their statements or balances after using cashless payments, 10.2% answered "often" and 33.0% answered "sometimes." In total, 43.2% responded that they have experienced overspending than expected after checking their statements or balances.

On the other hand, 30.2% answered "not much," 14.0% answered "not at all," and 12.6% answered "neither." Since 44.2% have not experienced overspending, the use of cashless payments does not necessarily lead to a feeling of increased spending.

However, the fact that over 40% feel the amount of spending is high after checking their statements is noteworthy. With cashless payments, payments are completed in a short time, so people may make multiple purchases without strongly being aware of the spending amount at the time. As a result, it is thought that some people feel they have spent more than expected after checking their statements or balances later.

Credit cards are the most common payment method for increased spending

A graph summarizing the results of multiple responses regarding cashless payment methods for which people feel they have overspent.

When asked in a multiple-choice format about cashless payment methods for which they feel they have overspent, credit cards were the most common at 39.2%. This was followed by "none in particular" at 38.2%, and QR code payments and smartphone payments at 34.4%.

Credit cards can be used for deferred payments and are used for a wide range of purchases, from daily shopping to high-value transactions. Since the amount spent does not immediately decrease from the account, it is difficult to feel the spending at the time of payment, and it is thought that some people notice the high spending amount after checking their statements.

QR code payments and smartphone payments also had a high result of 34.4%. Since payments can be completed with just a smartphone and they are often used for small transactions, it is believed that some people feel they have overspent due to the accumulation of daily spending.

Electronic money and contactless payments were 13.0%, and transportation IC cards were 9.2%. While both are payment methods often used for small transactions, the percentage of people who feel their spending has increased is lower compared to credit cards, QR code payments, and smartphone payments.

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Survey Overview

Survey Name: Survey on Feelings When Making Payments with Cashless Methods

Survey Area: Nationwide, ages 20 to 60 Valid Responses: 500 Survey Method: Internet Survey Conducted by: QiQUMO Survey Period: June 2026

Conditions for Use of Survey Results

(1) Please cite "OREND" as the source of information and include a link to "https://orend.jp".

(2) When using on a website, please include the following link as the source.

58.4% feel "less sense of spending money" with cashless payments, 43.2% have experienced overspending than expected [OREND Original Survey Report] (URL: https://orend.jp/mag/a0858)

About OREND

OREND is a media outlet that disseminates information useful for store management, with the theme of "How to Create a New Store."

It provides easy-to-understand explanations on how to choose essential tools and services for store operations, such as cashless payment terminals, POS systems, reservation systems, online stores, and EC consulting services.

For those who want to check the latest information, please visit the OREND official website.

URL: https://orend.jp

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