Convenience and keeping track of finances are behind the continuing popularity of notes and coins for day-to-day purchases, research suggests. And as well as keeping tabs on our cash, having money in our pockets gives some of us the feeling of being in control.

Cash remains our most popular method of payment with 57% of adults stating it’s their preferred way of paying for goods and services, according to the research by Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank.

Notes and coins are well ahead of other ways of making payment – 22% choose debit cards, 15% credit cards and only 3% prefer cheques.

Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank found that budgeting is the most common reason for preferring cash, closely followed by convenience.

42% of those who favour cash said it helps them keep a closer eye on their finances, with 41% describing it as easier and more convenient than other payment methods.

A third (33%) said carrying cash made them feel more “in control” and almost one in five (17%) thought cards made it easier for them to run up debts. One in 10 (11%) say they lose track of their money when they use cards.

Russell Carter, Head of Cash Marketing at Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank, said: “Our research shows that using notes and coins to budget on a day-to-day basis is widespread throughout the UK. The importance of cash to many people is often overlooked – but it plays a crucial role in the short-term financial planning of many people.”

“Talk of us moving to a cashless society remains just that – talk! Just over half of the people who took part in our survey felt they would be using more or the same amount of cash in five years’ time as they do now.”

The research shows many regional differences when it comes to those preferring to pay by cash for goods and services throughout the country. While those in Yorkshire were the most keen to use cash to plan financially (55%), people living in Scotland (36%) were least likely to be cash budgeters.