Do You Keep Cash at Home?

Updated on February 23, 2016
K.M. asks from Newburgh, NY
14 answers

We lived overseas (Germany) for a few years and I always had a stash of cash--dollars and euros. I worried that if my ATM card got lost/stolen that I'd have no access to money for a few days (my husband traveled a lot, so I couldn't always rely on his ATM card). We only had a US bank account--no European bank account.

Anyways, now that we're back in the US, I'm wondering if I should do the same. I'm not an overly paranoid person, but I know there is always a chance of another 9/11, cyber attack, etc. What if banks closed or ATMs were shut down? Do you keep cash at home? I'm thinking enough to buy food and gas for a week or so. Thoughts?

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Featured Answers

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

Yes I do. We always have. Nothing dramatic tho, just enough for emergencies. This is something only we as a family know

I go through a lot of bottled water so I always have 2-3 extra cases on hand.

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More Answers

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Generally not unless I know a hurricane is on the way - then it's good to have a little bit of emergency cash on hand.
I don't think it's wise to discuss how much cash (if any) you keep at home.
It's sort of like waving a flag "Here it is! Come rob me!".
Just my somewhat paranoid nature - but it serves me well.

6 moms found this helpful

F.W.

answers from Danville on

I have some cash I keep on hand in the house. Not much mind you (but there is not much in the bank either!! lol).

I do 'stockpile' medicine, particularly for my medically fragile child...as well as general meds/first aid kinds of things.

I have many canned goods that I rarely use, but try to rotate out once in a while due to frequent power outages in my older neighborhood. I have a fully stocked freezer, and would have to host a block party if power went out for a huge amount of time.

I do have an old generator, from the days my daughter was on a vent, but have not tried to crank it up in years (may be worth a check huh?)

In terms of clothes..there are always a few outfits in the dryer, or in a basket, ready to be put away.

I am sort of 'vaguely' aware of potential emergent situations, but I do not worry excessively!

The gas tank is generally full. We could 'bug out' in a matter of minutes. But where to go??

Best!

5 moms found this helpful

W.W.

answers from Washington DC on

ETA: Gidget - in New York and New Jersey, after 9/11 - there was NOT a lot of things working - so if you went to the store to buy something - you had pay cash - and if the store didn't have change? Too bad. You paid and left without change.
__________________________

After 9/11 - I keep 1's in my car and wallet as well as change. As I won't pay $20 for a gallon of milk again.

funny - even though they won't work anymore - I still have Belgian Franc and Deutsche Marks!! and other foreign currency! LOL....

In answer, yes. We keep a small slush fund with our emergency rations.

3 moms found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

oh, sure. i've always got a couple hundred stashed around in various little stash places, plus we always keep $200 in the safe, along with a big bag of silver that my dad asked us to keep safe for him (and he's probably forgotten about<G>.)
my husband worries that my little stashes will get raided by our (exciting new) house cleaner. my take on it is that anyone who steals from a witch deserves everything they get.
and my vengeance would be shattering.
ETA, feline, you print out a map from your place to mine and make a beeline to me!
:D
khairete
S.

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M.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I keep an emergency box in the basement with bottled water, food, first aid kit, and other basic necessities. I think that's more important than cash. If banks or ATMS unexpectedly closed for a few days, my family wouldn't starve.

I'm not a total prepper, but I was girl scout, and believe in being prepared :)

3 moms found this helpful
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D.N.

answers from Chicago on

Yes, you never know if you will need it. I also make sure I have some money in my wallet. You never know if a computer will go down for whatever reason. I remember a time a store near my home had their computers crash. It took 2 days to bring them up. They lost a lot of money because people could not use credit or debit cards to buy anything.

I don't keep a full week of food and gas money, but enough for emergency supplies if needed.

2 moms found this helpful

J.P.

answers from Orlando on

Yes, we keep some cash on hand. I would not tell anyone how much or where we keep it. There is nothing wrong with being prepared for something. You don't have to be a nutty survivalist, but we all know that an emergency can happen at anytime (natural or other).

It is probably best to have enough cash to go from two weeks to a month (food, fuel, etc.) or keep at least two weeks of food, water, toiletries, etc. on hand for emergency.

I live in an area that is prone to hurricanes so we are prepared to either stay in or to have to leave (cash is handy if you need to leave your home in an emergency).

2 moms found this helpful

S.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

I do keep some hidden for emergency use. I also keep enough food and water to last a few weeks.

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G.♣.

answers from Springfield on

Never occurred to me to worry about it. I've even had my wallet stolen (it was found with nothing missing, but i had already canceled everything). I just went to the back with my checkbook and cashed a couple of checks.

I don't carry a purse unless I really, really have to. Even then, I never have my checkbook with me. So there was absolutely no concern about my account being compromised other than the debit card in my wallet.

It can't hurt to have cash in the house. Emergency money isn't going to earn interest in a bank anyway. It's just not something I've ever worried about.

I realize I live in the midwest, so that has something to do with it, but I don't really remember anything being more expensive after 911. I do remember having trouble using my credit card at the gas station later that day. But that's all.

2 moms found this helpful

L.U.

answers from Seattle on

We keep all our cash at home. We do not put it in the bank. Here's why.
When we got married we put our money into one account. We sucked. He would buy things with his card, me with mine. We were ALWAYS overdrawn. Always paying overdraft fees. It was horrible.
So, we do everything with cash. We are not rich...at ALL....we live paycheck to paycheck. But we cash my husband's checks, we put what we need in the bank for our automatic payments and everything else goes into a hiding place. When it's gone we can't spend any more. Helps us know exactly what we have.
We even pay our rent with money orders.
Seems a bit drastic, but it works for us. We have very little debt, no credit cards, and we know exactly how much money!

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C.S.

answers from Miami on

Everyone should keep emergency cash on hand - whether that is at home or on your person. Not huge amounts, but yes, a week worth of money is a good plan. They say when we prepare for a hurricane that you should be self-sufficient for 1-2 weeks.

K.A.

answers from San Diego on

No, not really. We usually have some cash in the house, even if it's dumping out the change, but it's rarely a lot. I know it's recommenced in emergency preparedness things. We don't really have much in the way of emergency supplies. We have a few more things then we once did after a few events here but not what we're supposed to.

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N.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

If you would like to consider reading a few books on being prepared for an emergency then Peggy Layton is a great author on the subject. She has a degree in home ec.

She suggests that you keep a log of the groceries you buy for a time period then see what you ate. That is your stock list, it is food you eat on a regular basis.

In her books she also suggests you go through your home and check to see what you have for emergencies. Such as how many blankets, extra diapers, extra medication, cash, summer items, winter items, etc... Her emergency preparation book is excellent.

I don't think you can be too prepared and we do live in a time where having something put back is better than needing it and not having it.

We don't have extra money so we aren't able to keep cash on hand but we do have 72 hour kits by the door ready to go if we need them.

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