Preparedness Quick Tip #6: Stash Some Cash

Have you ever found yourself in this position? You’re going through the drive-thru on an emergency food run, and found out that their electronic card readers are down, and they can only take cash? And when you look in your wallet…you realize you don’t have any?


PQT #6 - money money money money...

That’s a pretty easy situation – you either drive to a new drive-thru or go to the store. No biggie, right? What if you’re out in the middle of nowhere, ran out of gas unexpectedly, and before you had a chance to stop at an ATM? You stopped at the Mom & Pop gas station, and they still haven’t moved past a punch button register, and only take cash?

When I shared about teaching our kids about Everyday Carry, and what they always needed to carry with them, money was important. And it’s important for you. Not only for everyday oopsies of not having enough cash on a temporary basis, but what happens if our credit cards just don’t work anymore. What happens if, a solar flare knocks out the electronic system. You could still buy stuff, even without the electronic system, but only if you have cash because they aren’t going to take IOU’s.

Or simply look to the economic calamity that is Greece or Venezuela or Japan after the tsunami, or any country with a natural or economic disaster. You can still use cash, but if your cash is locked away in a bank, you may not be able to get access to it at all.

So make sure you have a little cash stashed in your wallet for emergencies only. Stash some money in your bag someplace safe. Secure a roll of quarters someplace in your car, either in your emergency kit or just elsewhere, or both! Make sure you have some change at your office in case of a local emergency where you need extra supplies from vending machines, but don’t have $ because you didn’t get to the bank.

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Katy Willis is a writer, lifelong homesteader, and master herbalist, master gardener, and canine nutritionist. Katy is a preparedness expert and modern homesteader practicing everyday preparedness, sustainability, and a holistic lifestyle.

She knows how important it is to be prepared for whatever life throws at you, because you just never know what's coming. And preparedness helps you give your family the best chance to thrive in any situation.

Katy is passionate about living naturally, growing food, keeping livestock, foraging, and making and using herbal remedies. Katy is an experienced herbalist and a member of the CMA (Complementary Medical Association).

Her preparedness skills go beyond just being "ready", she's ready to survive the initial disaster, and thrive afterward, too. She grows 100% organic food on roughly 15 acres and raises goats, chickens, and ducks. She also lovingly tends her orchard, where she grows many different fruit trees. And, because she likes to know exactly what she's feeding her family, she's a seasoned from-scratch cook and gluten-free baker.

Katy teaches foraging and environmental education classes, too, including self-sufficient living, modern homesteading, seed saving, and organic vegetable gardening.

Katy helps others learn forgotten skills, including basic survival skills and self-reliance.

She's been published on sites such as MSN, Angi, Home Advisor, Family Handyman, Wealth of Geeks, Readers Digest, and more.

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