Here's a question: In many conceivable cases, the banking system may be unavailable and yet merchants may still be selling. This is not a complete breakdown of society but could be the result of, for example, a major solar flare and coronal mass ejection that disrupts communications systems. So, how much cash do you keep on hand and in what denominations?
(I guess that's two questions.)
I'll start, I keep about $500, mostly in fives and twenties - no Benjamins. I subscribe to old guidance to keep the cash in $5 bills since change may not be available so the most you would lose on any purchase would be $4.99. This makes some sense to me.
Re: Emergency Management - Cash on Hand
2Living in a hurricane zone we always have a hurricane fund which fluctuates between about $800 and $1500 - it's is also our general petty cash fund. I try to keep the bills as small as possible. I think I have at least $50 in ones. I basically just empty the cash out of my wallet into it periodically, usually when I sell something or return something purchased on my debit card and they give me cash back. Those are generally the only times I ever have cash.
'Sorry stupid people but there are some definite disadvantages to being stupid."
-John Cleese
-John Cleese
Re: Emergency Management - Cash on Hand
3I keep small bills in a small fire safe. I've raided it for less than real emergencies and I have to remember to replace it later.
Puffing up is no substitute for smarts but it's a common home remedy
Re: Emergency Management - Cash on Hand
4We're bad for that but the current plan is to stash $20 a paycheck, two $5 and a $10.
In a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich the chicken and cow are involved while the pig is committed.
Emergency Management - Cash on Hand
5My problem is that I keep raiding my $tash to buy stupid gun parts. That way the purchases don't show up on the Visa bill...
But I do restock it periodically.
But I do restock it periodically.
Re: Emergency Management - Cash on Hand
6I plan to stay with precious metals: lead and brass. Otherwise, I just live my life and spend my air bucks (fiat currency).
CDFingers
CDFingers
Crazy cat peekin' through a lace bandana
like a one-eyed Cheshire, like a diamond-eyed Jack
like a one-eyed Cheshire, like a diamond-eyed Jack
Re: Emergency Management - Cash on Hand
7I'm stashing Confederate money, I live in the south and by Gods will the South Will rise again!
*DISCLAIMER* This post may have been made from a barstool.
Emergency Management - Cash on Hand
8That's a sound fiscal plan, Whitey. Perhaps a stint in Congress is in your future!
Re: Emergency Management - Cash on Hand
9I haven't seen a dollar bill for a few years now. I guess in this way we're unprepared. Need to re-adjust. Yes cash seems a valuable resource in a crisis situation, like if you need to fill a propane tank.
Living check to check seems dreary eh? Could be worse...
I guess if I spent less money on shit I don't need, I'd have a stash for emergencies, or drugs!
So tell me, how do you save and keep it where it belongs?
Living check to check seems dreary eh? Could be worse...
I guess if I spent less money on shit I don't need, I'd have a stash for emergencies, or drugs!
So tell me, how do you save and keep it where it belongs?
Re: Emergency Management - Cash on Hand
10Living in the middle of the northridge earth quake zone, 2 miles from the center of it, I can tell you first hand $500.00 is a good starting point. I was able to buy everything that was needed in short order come sunrise.
Re: Emergency Management - Cash on Hand
11I take out cash if I'm going to the farmer's market. Or the bar. I stash leftover coins from the bar or farmer's market in a ceramic vase. Whatever...
Re: Emergency Management - Cash on Hand
12I live in an area that weather can and does knock out power every few years. We usually just run to ATM when ever an advisory is issued. I usually have several hundred in cash in my pocket at all times. I call it my mad money. But I usually pay temp labor and buy stuff from desperate sellers with my mad money.
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Wolverines!
"The problem with internet quotes is it is very hard to determine their authenticity." --Abraham Lincoln
Wolverines!
"The problem with internet quotes is it is very hard to determine their authenticity." --Abraham Lincoln
Re: Emergency Management - Cash on Hand
13I keep $600 or so stashed, but I need to break it down into smaller bills.
We live at a time when emotions and feelings count more than truth,
and there is a vast ignorance of science.
James Lovelock
It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in argument.
-William G. McAdoo, lawyer and politician (1863-1941)
and there is a vast ignorance of science.
James Lovelock
It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in argument.
-William G. McAdoo, lawyer and politician (1863-1941)
Re: Emergency Management - Cash on Hand
14I have watched a LOT of videos where people talk about 'Urban Get Home Bags'.
They're full of primarily survival gear, because, of course, you're going to make camp in the middle of a city.
In an urban setting, cash is the ultimate multitool, and can solve just about any problem.
With that said, I don't carry nearly enough. That's probably a combination of being poor and poor money management habits on my part.
They're full of primarily survival gear, because, of course, you're going to make camp in the middle of a city.
In an urban setting, cash is the ultimate multitool, and can solve just about any problem.
With that said, I don't carry nearly enough. That's probably a combination of being poor and poor money management habits on my part.
Re: Emergency Management - Cash on Hand
15I've started accumulating a modest stack of $20s in my handgun safe. The idea is to have it for disasters, etc., where banks, ATMs, etc., might be disrupted for a time.LynnLeFey wrote:I have watched a LOT of videos where people talk about 'Urban Get Home Bags'.
They're full of primarily survival gear, because, of course, you're going to make camp in the middle of a city.
In an urban setting, cash is the ultimate multitool, and can solve just about any problem.
With that said, I don't carry nearly enough. That's probably a combination of being poor and poor money management habits on my part.
"To initiate a war of aggression...is the supreme international crime" - Nuremberg prosecutor Robert Jackson, 1946
Re: Emergency Management - Cash on Hand
16This. A thousand times this.In an urban setting, cash is the ultimate multitool, and can solve just about any problem.
Back in the nineteen hundred and seventies, my grandparents made several stashes of odd amounts of cash around the house. This was in small part survival preparedness (gas rationing and the San Fernando earthquake will do that to you), but a large part was the fact that ATMs weren't around and they didn't have credit cards.
Need to get the car fixed on Saturday and they don't take checks? Ha -- you're screwed till Monday.
In a disaster, not only will you have to deal with potential telecommunication and power outages that could stop non-cash transactions, but a real possibility of short-term cash shortages. Banks, stores and citizens routinely don't keep more cash than is absolutely necessary. If your little corner of the world goes cash-only for more than say...24 hours...banks will probably have to have more money brought in.
Water, warmth and cash will get you through most urban emergencies. I have potassium iodide included, since I'm within the "yellow ring" of a nuclear plant (which is also on a fault line).
BTW, if you live near a nuclear facility, they usually will give you potassium iodide tabs if you ask.
Oh, I'm surprised no one has said "my gun IS my my cash on-hand."
Re: Emergency Management - Cash on Hand
17LynnLeFey wrote:
In an urban setting, cash is the ultimate multitool, and can solve just about any problem.
Re: Emergency Management - Cash on Hand
19Several hundred dollars in fives, tens, twenties; diamonds; gold coins.
Re: Emergency Management - Cash on Hand
21Only one person has suggested an actual amount.
Here is a guideline: Could you take it in stride if your stash of cash was lost to burglary or fire? If the answer is no, the amount may be too large.
Here is a guideline: Could you take it in stride if your stash of cash was lost to burglary or fire? If the answer is no, the amount may be too large.
"To initiate a war of aggression...is the supreme international crime" - Nuremberg prosecutor Robert Jackson, 1946
Re: Emergency Management - Cash on Hand
22Not saying how much, but a fireproof safe is a good investment for anyone to keep valuables in. I agree with FS though, Willy makes a great point!larrymod wrote:Only one person has suggested an actual amount.
Here is a guideline: Could you take it in stride if your stash of cash was lost to burglary or fire? If the answer is no, the amount may be too large.
Re: Emergency Management - Cash on Hand
23So that they can come steal my $17 in small bills and $3 in quarters? What, are you CRAZY?senorgrand wrote:Soooooo....anyone want to post addresses?
Re: Emergency Management - Cash on Hand
24I would advise keeping your valuables somewhere other than the bedroom. Also, bolt your safe down!
Re: Emergency Management - Cash on Hand
25There was a TV series a few years back, called 'It Takes a Thief', where an ex-professional burglar and a security expert would interview a household with a house that they thought had some serious security concerns. Then they would break in, showing the security problems, and how burglars usually worked. Then they would come back and improve the house security.
They often found houses where the safes weren't bolted down.
And in houses where it WAS bolted down, they could often easily pop it free with a crowbar. So, it shouldn't just be 'bolted down', it should be through some substantial structural member like wall stud of floor joist.
They often found houses where the safes weren't bolted down.
And in houses where it WAS bolted down, they could often easily pop it free with a crowbar. So, it shouldn't just be 'bolted down', it should be through some substantial structural member like wall stud of floor joist.