Emergency Cash For Real Emergencies
Putting aside emergency cash is "an investment against the unexpected – situations where everything else has failed and I have no other options to turn to." TheSimple Dollar.com
Emergency #1: You just went through a major disaster. You can't leave the city and need some supplies. The power is out and the grocery store isn't accepting ATM or credit cards.
Emergency #2: You've suddenly been asked to evacuate because of a fire on the mountain near your home. You hope you can eventually drive to your sister's out of state, but suddenly the roads are congested. Everything is at a standstill. You need gas, food and water.
Emergency #3: Your youngest child is very ill. You need some medication from the pharmacist, but you left your wallet at work which is about 30 miles away.
Emergency Cash Tips From the Web:Put it in several locations
Keep it safe from water and heat damage
Nothing larger than a $10 bill (You could pay $5 for a bottle of water in an emergency.)
Keep about $20 to $100 hidden in your car
Keep about $20 to $50 in your wallet in small bills
Keep minimum $100 per person at home
Consider how you might use it in 72 hours - food, hotel, gas, etc.
Convert collected coins to smaller bills
Store it in unobvious locations, but make sure your trusted older kids know where it is. You may not be home when they need it.
Articles to Read:
Safely Gathered in: Keeping Cash at Home
Ideas from Readers:
"I was just reading your great blog and you mentioned to keep emergency cash. I thought I would share something that works for me. Whenever we tried to have an emergency stash, I would always end up using it for lunch money or last minute gifts, etc. So I picked up some of those small coin sorter banks that are always around for Father's Day and Christmas. We all empty our loose change into them each night. We have over $400--all in change. I'm not tempted to "borrow" it's too much of a hassle. As we fill a bank, we put it down in the food storage room. They are small, so they are not too heavy for us to grab when in need. Thanks for all you do."
DS
Emergency #1: You just went through a major disaster. You can't leave the city and need some supplies. The power is out and the grocery store isn't accepting ATM or credit cards.
Emergency #2: You've suddenly been asked to evacuate because of a fire on the mountain near your home. You hope you can eventually drive to your sister's out of state, but suddenly the roads are congested. Everything is at a standstill. You need gas, food and water.
Emergency #3: Your youngest child is very ill. You need some medication from the pharmacist, but you left your wallet at work which is about 30 miles away.
Emergency Cash Tips From the Web:Put it in several locations
Keep it safe from water and heat damage
Nothing larger than a $10 bill (You could pay $5 for a bottle of water in an emergency.)
Keep about $20 to $100 hidden in your car
Keep about $20 to $50 in your wallet in small bills
Keep minimum $100 per person at home
Consider how you might use it in 72 hours - food, hotel, gas, etc.
Convert collected coins to smaller bills
Store it in unobvious locations, but make sure your trusted older kids know where it is. You may not be home when they need it.
Articles to Read:
Safely Gathered in: Keeping Cash at Home
Ideas from Readers:
"I was just reading your great blog and you mentioned to keep emergency cash. I thought I would share something that works for me. Whenever we tried to have an emergency stash, I would always end up using it for lunch money or last minute gifts, etc. So I picked up some of those small coin sorter banks that are always around for Father's Day and Christmas. We all empty our loose change into them each night. We have over $400--all in change. I'm not tempted to "borrow" it's too much of a hassle. As we fill a bank, we put it down in the food storage room. They are small, so they are not too heavy for us to grab when in need. Thanks for all you do."
DS
