Amid cashless drive, no need to be shrill over shillings

AS A growing child, this reporter's mother would sometimes go hungry in school for two days in a row - for a taste of Coca-Cola that week.

Back in the day, a bottle of Coke would cost 30 cents, but she would get only five cents a day for pocket money. Her stoic solution was to starve for two days to save 10 cents - and share a bottle of Coke with a classmate who was a little more well-off. My mother would then get a third of the bottle of Coke, and a taste of sweet, delayed gratification.

It is perhaps that blast to the past that raises worries for some parents today about Singapore's cashless pursuit. The concern seems to be that children would lose their ability to save by hoarding coins and delaying spending, and thereby be unable to appreciate the toil that comes with making money. Such fears are unfounded, for at least three reasons.