How much cash do you keep on hand?

[moparal7]

http://www.survivalblog.com/2012/06/20- ... tmare.html Any thoughts on this?

[68Camaro]

http://www.survivalblog.com/2012/06/20-reasons-why-americas-next-bank-holiday-will-be-a-nightmare.html Any thoughts on this?

The scenarios are largely possible and the points made are valid. I generally keep (depending on the day) between 1K and 2K in notes outside of the banking system, as well as about 2K in nickels. Not counting the copper cent hoard. When you live in Florida and you're of the prepping mentality, preparing for Hurricane season is very much like this and a normal part of the year, so nothing new here. If a big one hits, after it is gone, for about as far as you can drive (or have gas to drive, unless you're like me and store a lot) - all shelves will be bare, ATMs will be down, gas stations will be closed for lack of power, phones will be dead, banks will be closed, and any shops that are open will require cash in order to purchase anything.

[shinnosuke]

http://www.survivalblog.com/2012/06/20-reasons-why-americas-next-bank-holiday-will-be-a-nightmare.html Any thoughts on this?

The scenarios are largely possible and the points made are valid. I generally keep (depending on the day) between 1K and 2K in notes outside of the banking system, as well as about 2K in nickels. Not counting the copper cent hoard. When you live in Florida and you're of the prepping mentality, preparing for Hurricane season is very much like this and a normal part of the year, so nothing new here. If a big one hits, after it is gone, for about as far as you can drive (or have gas to drive, unless you're like me and store a lot) - all shelves will be bare, ATMs will be down, gas stations will be closed for lack of power, phones will be dead, banks will be closed, and any shops that are open will require cash in order to purchase anything.

Which has always made me wonder why Floridians don't give the state back to the alligators and head for higher ground.

Copper Catcher started a thread yesterday about digital money. (http://www.realcent.org/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=15639) The preparations recommended by the writer of the survivalblog.com article linked above could be applied to the conditions we might experience under a fiat digital monetary system. Some realcenters will protest (silently or otherwise) against a digital system involving some sort of mandatory "mark" or number in our hand or forehead. However, if we are living without both FRN cash and digital dollars we will stand out if we are still thriving. Our neighbors will wonder how we can stay alive without ever going to the store. Our ability to do more than merely survive could make us targets, depending on the type of neighbors we have.

Ray (beauanderos) once wrote about some of us like-minded individuals buying some land and developing a retreat. Of course others not associated with this site have done the same for years. Any interest in considering that idea again? I know...I know...the US is a big country and getting widely dispersed individuals interested to agree on location would be tough. I'm a big-city dweller. In my case, almost anywhere besides here would be better, plus my income is not dependent on location so I have some flexibility. I don't want to hijack this thread. If there is interest in forming a "retreat committee" let's exchange ideas in the Non-Metals Necessities and Things To Think About forum. Or you could PM me.

[68Camaro]

Which has always made me wonder why Floridians don't give the state back to the alligators and head for higher ground.

Can't speak for most here, because even after 30 years here I really don't consider myself a Floridian. There really are Floridians, and they are much like the bayou Lousianans (if that's a word). They like it hot, humid, buggy, and the smell of mildew is an attractive fragance to them!

Not to me, unfortunately, but with the wonder of modern air conditioning combined with the attraction of a well-paying job, I can live here.

The one thing I do well with here, surprisingly, is allergies - perhaps because of the constant refresh of ocean air that is typically no more than 1-4 hours old, from either coast. When I go anywhere else in the country - even high plains/mountains of NM, which I love - my allergies kill me.

[68Camaro]

Ray (beauanderos) once wrote about some of us like-minded individuals buying some land and developing a retreat. Of course others not associated with this site have done the same for years. Any interest in considering that idea again? I know...I know...the US is a big country and getting widely dispersed individuals interested to agree on location would be tough. I'm a big-city dweller. In my case, almost anywhere besides here would be better, plus my income is not dependent on location so I have some flexibility. I don't want to hijack this thread. If there is interest in forming a "retreat committee" let's exchange ideas in the Non-Metals Necessities and Things To Think About forum. Or you could PM me.

I've had a couple of conversations on this as well. A work friend of mine - who did join RC but mostly lurks - has talked with me about possibly acting on that. And before that, my wife and I did spend a few hours last winter considering some properties for that purpose. In the meantime, general preps continue, regardless.

As to Florida specifically, I will note that a major drawback of living where I do is that in the event of a disaster the best short-term option is to be able to hunker down. Florida of course is a peninsula, you can only leave via the norther border of the state, and unless you live adjacent to that line there are effectively only two roads out of Florida - I75 and I95 (with I4, I10, and the Florida Turnpike connecting them but not providing an effective third pathway). If even a fraction of our 16 million people try to get on them it turns to utter chaos. The 2004 hurricanes turned the roads into solid gridlock, and I would rather hunker down than be on the road moving to a safe retreat in the middle of a disaster. Such a move would have to come later, if it was possible.

[rickygee]

Cash on hand? Lend me thirty cents and I've got five bucks!

[Z00]

Whatever you decide is the proper amount for YOU to have, make sure 50% is in coinage. When you have to deal with a business and they cannot get "change" from the bank you may have to buy an item you don't really want just to get close to an even dollar amount or just let them "keep the change."

[Whinstone]

I don't know how much I have...because I have it hidden though out the house. I have alot of those infamous presidential coins hidden. Because I am weird and I like them. Lately, I have been worried that I don't have enough hidden if a situation occurred and I would have to get into my penny/nickel hoard. I would like to have about 2k in cash

[Engineer]

I always keep enough for two tacos and a glass of water.

[Silver Addict]

I used to keep 5k on hand.....then sub $30 silver came along....

[IdahoCopper]

... system involving some sort of mandatory "mark" or number in our hand or forehead.

LOL, you already have accepted the mark. They lie to you to make you think it is not already in play.


The number "in your hand" is the SSN you must write to make any financial transaction.

The "number in your forehead" is the SSN you must remember to transact in the current world.

It is NOW, not the future.

[shinnosuke]

... system involving some sort of mandatory "mark" or number in our hand or forehead.

LOL, you already have accepted the mark. They lie to you to make you think it is not already in play.


The number "in your hand" is the SSN you must write to make any financial transaction.

The "number in your forehead" is the SSN you must remember to transact in the current world.

It is NOW, not the future.

You're right, of course. When SS cards were first issued Americans were told that it would only be used by the employer to submit our SS taxes to the government. Now a man can't fart without somebody asking for our SSN. But there are still some worthy transactions which I can do without revealing that number, namely precious metals for which one pays cash. Any transaction by credit card can be tied back to one's SSN.

[Know Common Cents]

I'm a firm believer in having some cash on hand. Also a believer in having different types for various situations. Forget $100 notes in a disaster situation. Likely no change for those in smaller transactions. FRNs of $1 through $10 will be the ones most easily transacted and a few $20s for larger purchases.

I've also put aside a couple rolls of Walking Lib halves for their silver content. No doubt by anyone these are older coins and not confused by the ignorant as with clad, 40% and 90% Kennedy halves. Same thing with Mercury dimes. Instant recognition and acceptance.

That in tandem with a large amount of lead in bullet form should enable me to address most unpleasant circumstances.