Here's a slant to look at. Have we "lost sight" of money?
Hear me out, today it's almost all paypal, or some form of electronic payment. We KNOW we've got the money but because we're not physically holding a wad of £20s, has it less of a mental connection to us? Have we lost that mental connection with cash and caution to protect it/value it more?
If you were now to be given a wad of seventy five £20 notes (1500 quid) and you had it in your hand as hard cash. You'd probably think more about it when you've got it in yoru hand and are holding it, as opposed to clicking a button and that disconnect we have nowadays, when handing it over for a new graphics card (3090 for example)
Companies IMO, are taking advantage of this. They know people are losing that connection with cash, due to the electronic methods of payment, so they feel they can take advantage of that disconnection. You think LESS about it as you don't see or feel the cash during the transaction, than you would with a bundle of notes in your hand.