Alas! After years of preaching about the benefits of using cash, cash, cash, some real evidence that plastic is getting pushed aside…at least for now. A need to save combined with annoying new credit card fee changes is causing the new trend, according to a new piece on MSNBC.comWriter Allison Linn says, “consumers are cutting back on spending and paying with cash instead of credit. Many say they are frustrated by changes in credit card fees, limits and interest rates stemming from the financial crisis that have made it more expensive to finance the holidays with plastic.” And when you take a look at current revolving debt levels (which is mostly credit card debt), there is a consistent decline over the past 13 months, as consumers try to pay down their balances. While this is good news for our piggy banks, it’s ultimately bad news for retailers. We already know, based on NRF data, that we’re spending less this holiday season. And if cash enters the picture that will really limit shoppers’ abilities to splurge on big-ticket items. Maybe shoot for the Kindle next year?