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How Much Cash Should I Keep In My Bug Out Bag?
How much cash should I keep in my bug out bag? It is a good idea that you should carry between $100 and $250 in mixed bills and coins; larger amounts can be cumbersome and attract attention, potentially putting you at risk. Furthermore, it’s important to recognize the likely scenarios in your area; if you live in a place with largely unbanked populations or stretches of sparsely populated areas, cash is generally preferred and you may want to keep even more than the mentioned amounts. Having proper cash reserves on hand is a critical factor in planning for any emergency situation.
When it comes to emergency preparedness, one of the most important things you can do is have cash on hand. You never know when a natural disaster or other emergency situation will occur, and if you’re not prepared, you could find yourself in a difficult situation. So, how much cash should you keep in your bug-out bag?
In this blog post, we’ll discuss some factors to consider when making that decision.
Should You Keep Cash in Your Bug out Bag?
Yes, it is a great idea to keep some cash in your bug-out bag. Your bug-out bag is your go-to bag when you and your family have to bug out or leave your home for any reason.
Your bug-out bag should have a mixture of the basic supplies you will need on your trip to your bug-out location. This should include water, food, some basic clothing options (that fit the season), a flashlight, a multitool, a fixed-blade knife, and other gear that you will need.
It only makes sense that you would include some cash in your bag just in case you might need it to get gas or something else.
Why Should You Keep Cash in Your Bug out Bag?
There are many reasons to include cash in your bug-out bag, including:
- You may need it to purchase items or supplies you weren’t able to bring with you.
- Cash can be used as a bartering tool if needed.
- In some cases, cash is the only form of payment accepted during an emergency situation.
- It is a good idea to have cash on hand in case the power goes out, making it difficult or impossible to use credit cards.
- Cash is anonymous and cannot be tracked. This can give you an extra layer of security during an emergency situation.
How Much Cash Should I Keep In My Bug Out Bag?
It is a good idea to keep between $100-250 dollars in mixed bills and coins in your bug-out bag. You do not want to only keep large bills that you may not be able to break.
Certain stores do not keep enough cash to readily accept a large bill so it is recommended to keep ones, fives, tens, and twenties.
It is also a great idea to include some coins in your bug-out bag as you may need to get air for a vehicle tire, wash clothes at a laundry mat, get food out of a vending machine, and possibly use a pay phone if you are in an area where you can find one.
Are Silver and Gold a Good Idea for Your Bug out Bag?
When it comes to stocking a bug-out bag for a crisis, yes and no to the idea of having silver or gold in it.
Although it’s true that having some physical metal as part of your financial resilience plan is not a bad idea, it may not always be worth its weight in your bag – literally.
Silver or gold coins could come in handy should you find yourself needing to barter with someone else, but consider other creative options first.
Yes, you could always include some silver or gold with the intention of paying or bartering – but remember that items like food, water purifiers, and medications will always be much more significant and effective during a crisis.
Think about what really matters for a survival situation when considering what items to stash away!
How Much Cash Should I Keep at Home in Case of An Emergency?
Emergencies can happen on any given day, and you may not have time to rush to your bank for cash. That means you should have some piece of mind in knowing you have an extra amount of cash in case the unexpected arises.
You should start with any amount of money you can safely put back; this could range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars.
Make sure you securely store the money away – keeping it in a safe place around your house, in your bug-out bag, or even at your bug-out location which will allow you to easily access your funds.
Keeping emergency cash is one step toward staying prepared and ready for the future.
Where Can I Stash Emergency Money?
When it comes to stashing away emergency money, the options are practically endless.
You can choose to keep your cash in an old-fashioned piggy bank or a locking safe, you can hide it in secret compartments around your home, or even store it offsite by investing in a fireproof lockbox.
No matter where you choose to keep your emergency cash, make sure you can access it quickly and easily in the case of an emergency.
You may even want to invest in a small safe that is light enough for you to take with you if needed.
Having some cash stored away in your bug-out bag or at home can provide extra security and peace of mind during an emergency.
How much cash you should keep in your bug-out bag is ultimately up to you, but it is recommended to have at least $100-250 in mixed bills and coins for picking up supplies that you may need while bugging out.
Additionally, having some extra cash stored away at home can come in handy if the unexpected arises.
No matter how much cash you choose to keep, make sure it is securely stored in a safe place that can be easily accessed when needed.
Check out this video about some creative hiding spots:
FAQs
Here are some of the most asked questions about keeping cash in your bug-out bag:
How Much Cash Does the Average Person Keep on Them?
In today’s age, the average person going about their daily life carries very little cash. In fact, about 42 percent of people keep less than $40 in cash on them. Even fewer people, about 30% carry between $41-99 on them while the rest (28%) carry $100 or more.
I do not necessarily believe you should carry a ton of cash on you every day but you should be able to access at least a couple hundred in an emergency situation.
How Much Money Should You Keep in Your EDC?
The amount of money you should keep in your EDC (Everyday Carry) is ultimately up to you. However, it’s recommended to have enough cash on hand for small purchases such as food, water, or other essentials.
How Much Emergency Cash Should I Have in My Car?
It is recommended to keep about $100 in cash stored away in your car for emergency situations. This can be used to pay for gas, tolls, or other essentials while on the go.
You do not want to keep a ton of money in your car as this can make you a target in an SHTF situation.
How Much Money Should You Keep at Home?
As mentioned above, the amount of money you should keep at home is ultimately up to you. However, it’s recommended to have enough cash on hand for big purchases such as groceries or large items.
What Is the Best Way to Keep Cash Safe in Your Bug Out Bag?
The best way to keep cash safe in your bug-out bag is with a waterproof container and/or a locking pouch. Additionally, you may want to consider investing in a fireproof lockbox for storing your cash at home.
Final Thoughts
Having some cash stored away in your bug-out bag, in your EDC, and at home can provide extra security and peace of mind during an emergency. How much cash you should keep in your bug-out bag is ultimately up to you, but it is recommended to have at least $100-250 in mixed bills and coins for picking up supplies that you may need while bugging out.
No matter how much cash you choose to keep, make sure it is securely stored in a safe place that can be easily accessed when needed.
