As the Wall Street Journal reports, Noa Khamallah, a 41-year-old New Yorker, found out the hard way. Looking to enjoy some popcorn and soda at a game, Khamallah was shocked to discover that his cash was as good as obsolete. Instead, he was directed to a "reverse ATM," where he inserted $200 only to receive a debit card with $196.50 - after he was hit with a $3.50 service fee for the 'convenience' of going cash-free.

"It's just not right," Khamallah told the outlet, echoing the sentiments of other New Yorkers shocked that what used to save you money - cash payments, now costs more. In some cases, transaction fees have soared more than $6 just for the privilege of spending your own funds.

Indeed, cashless venues and restaurants are popping up across the country, forcing cash lovers to either adapt or pay up as the war on cash continues.

Reverse ATMs like those at Yankee Stadium are now common at cashless venues and restaurants across the country as a way to cater to those who prefer paying in cash. People who want to pay their parking tickets, tolls, taxes or phone bills in cash, meanwhile, often learn that government agencies and businesses have outsourced that option to companies that usually charge a fee.

All that can amount to a penalty on the people who prefer paying cash. Though it is more common to buy things with cards and mobile devices, cash remains the third-most popular way to pay, accounting for 16% of all payments in 2023, according to the Federal Reserve. That's down 2 percentage points from the year before, continuing a steady decline that accelerated during the pandemic. -WSJ

And it's not just about convenience or the speed of transactions. Critics argue that the move sidelines those who rely on cash - often the young, the elderly, or the poor.

"To let my 13-year-old go buy a slushy at the amusement park, I'm already out $6," said Prudence Weaver, 41, who said she would rather be able to use cash on trips to the zoo and other venues vs. paying fees for debit cards. "I understand that there is a place for electronic payment, but I don't think it should be the only option."