Ways to Pay: More than just Cash
- Flaem
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 16 hours ago
Hi there - Penny here.
Have you ever noticed that sometimes people pay with coins… and other times they just tap a card or a phone? It can feel a bit mysterious when no money changes hands. Let’s slow it down and look at it together.
(You don’t need to read any story first to enjoy this lesson - but if you have, you might spot some familiar moments.)
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What We’re Learning Today
Today, we’re learning about different ways to pay for things - and why people choose different ways at different times.
By the end, you’ll know:
Cash is one way to pay, but not the only way
Some payments use money you already have
Some payments use money you borrow and pay back later
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Ways to Pay - Step by Step
A) Cash
Cash is money you can hold in your hand.
Coins
Notes
People like cash because:
You can see it
You can count it
When it’s gone, it’s gone
Cash is a simple and familiar way to pay.
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B) Cards
Cards are another way to pay - without handing over coins.
There are two main types of cards:
💳 Debit Card
Uses money you already have
Money comes straight from your account
If there’s no money left, the card won’t work
💳 Credit Card
Uses money you borrow
You need to pay it back later
That means you might owe money for a while
Pause & Think 💭
Where have you seen someone use a card to pay before - a shop, a café, or on the bus?
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C) Electronic Payments
Sometimes people pay without holding money or a card at all.
This is called an electronic payment.
It can happen when:
Someone taps a phone
Someone pays online
The money still moves - you just can’t see it.
People often use electronic payments because:
They’re quick
They work online
They’re easy when you don’t have cash
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The Big Difference (Kept Simple)
Let’s keep this really clear:
Debit card → money you already have
Credit card → money you borrow and pay back later
Pause & Decide 👀
If someone taps a card, how do you think they know whether it’s debit or credit?
(If you’ve read a Flaem story with a card tap, you might think of that moment here - but you don’t need to.)
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Why Are There Different Ways to Pay?
People don’t all pay the same way because:
Things cost different amounts
People have different kinds of money
Some places use cash, others don’t
There isn’t a “best” way to pay.
There are just different choices for different situations.
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Words You’ll Hear About Money
Words you should recognise now:
Cash - coins and notes
Card - a way to pay without cash
Debit card - uses your money
Credit card - uses borrowed money
Electronic payment - paying digitally
Bank Account - where money is kept
Receipt - proof you paid
Words you might hear around you:
Voucher, cashback
Owe, borrow
Essential, luxury
You don’t need to remember all of these yet - just notice them when you hear them.
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Your Turn to Think
If you were paying for something small today:
Would you choose cash, a card, or something else?
Why do you think that choice would feel right?
(If you’ve read a Flaem story about paying, you can compare your idea to what you noticed there - but it’s totally okay if you haven’t.)
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One Last Thought
Money can move in lots of ways - coins, cards, taps, and clicks.
Learning how it works helps you feel more confident when it’s your turn to choose.
If you ever want to explore this more, you might notice moments like this at The Spark, or in everyday life around you.
You’re already learning - just by being curious 💛
Looking for more simple lessons about money? Explore Flaem’s guides for ages 7-10
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