Emergency Fund

msparks · Sep 8, 2005

Well after the latest events down in LA, and MS I've decided that having a couple thousand dollars in the bank really wouldn't help much if you can't get to it.

So starting yesterday, I'm going to build me up a cash emergency fund of $1000 or so. That along with my .357 .22 and the .44 a couple of good knives and some camping supplies I think I will be able to weather most natural disasters without standing on my roof waving a white sheet.

So what do you think about that? Will $1000 be enough, and if so should they all be in $100's or should I have smaller bills as well. Thus far I have $200 towards my fund.

Pablo · Sep 8, 2005

MS - Funny thing - I was thinking the same thing driving my 15 minutes to work this AM. All these people have NO spending money and are waiting for handout of cash cards. So it makes some level of sense.

What's your address and where are you keeing the $1000?

skinnyd · Sep 8, 2005

I would say smaller bills would be better. Then you dont have to worry so much about someone being able to make change, depending on the situation of course.

Good idea by the way.

kanling · Sep 8, 2005

I started keeping a cash envelope of about $300 after Sept 2001. All in twenties.

haley10 · Sep 8, 2005

Likely problems for our area:

1. Ice Storms with power outage long term. Generators get sold out quickly, so cash doesn't help. Could you heat and have lights? You'd probably have water.

2. Major tornado damage. Hail storm.

If you have a comprehensive plan a few hundred bucks and a debit card ought to do it to get you to a safe place if evacuation is necessary.

Cover the tornado shelter plan and emergency food and energy first.

Pablo · Sep 8, 2005

We have the occasional strongish wind storm, earthquake and river flooding.

Cash would help a bit in pinch.

River flooding might keep me from work, but house is well above river. Stores should be OK, too.

Stock beer. Make sure access to trees for urinary release are clear.

JHZR2 · Sep 8, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by Pablo:
Gold coins - hmm- I think on some simplistic long term level it makes sense. Smart survivors will know gold. But the masses? Will they even know? Does it matter?

The looters in NO seemed to know it pretty well... maybe not coins, but it seems that they went for the metal, realizing its worth...

JMH

Pablo · Sep 8, 2005

Interesting. I was thinking of at the bartering level - will they know 99% gold or will they doubt the purity, etc? (just food for thought)

JHZR2 · Sep 8, 2005

I believe american eagles ate 90% gold, the balance silver - canadian maple leaves and other similar coins are three nine's purity, I believe.

Full faith in the US government... even if the gov't goes down the tubes, the purity ought to be recognized and trusted. the purities are always stamped on the government precious metal coins.

1/10 oz coins are perfect for bartering...

JMH

GROUCHO MARX · Sep 9, 2005

When you have a gun, you can get a lot of small bills.

Steve S · Sep 9, 2005

Being prepared is unamerican the government is here to help is. That being said I have been ...prepared for about 30 years. In all honestly at least 1 week of food and water plus self protection is good and built up little by little the cost won't be noticed. Think of camping supplies.

blupupher · Sep 9, 2005

I think just as important as cash is other supplies, mainly food and water. If you have to evacuate, get a 72 hr kit ready for each family member. MRE's work great for this. Not the best tasting, but they work.

JHZR2 · Sep 9, 2005

In a real emergency, soap will be a better currency than... currency.

$1000 isnt much, but its enough to get by for a few days... barring nuclear war, a few days is about all youll need, its not like in Tn youll be covered by 10 ft of snow and unaccessable.

Id say to have $1000, a generator (preferably diesel), 10x 1/10 or 1/4 oz American Eagle gold pieces, canned food, water in glass jars, camping supplies, plastic bags, wool clothing, first aid and cleaning supplies, and a set of buckets to fill and store more fresh water in case of an impending emergency that you can prep to some amount for... (as well as ones to fill so youre not sitting in your own feces).

JMH

Pablo · Sep 9, 2005

Gold coins - hmm- I think on some simplistic long term level it makes sense. Smart survivors will know gold. But the masses? Will they even know? Does it matter?

eljefino · Sep 9, 2005

If you smoke, some extra cigarettes might be worth holding onto for bartering. Works in prison.

They get stale after a while so you'd want to rotate stock and smoke the old ones.

People might also barter for toilet paper, D-cell batteries, ramen noodles, paper plates & cups... your normal disaster supply list. I have a large quantity of 2-stroke oil saved for chainsaws and ice storms.

If you don't smoke, you could still stock a couple of cartons; when you trade them make off with your goods before the other guy gets the cellophane off. He'll probably still be thankful anyway.

There's some tobacoo company that advertises in magazines that will mail you two free cartons. Get those if you're an anti-tobacco hippie since you'll be sticking it to that company.

Shannow · Sep 11, 2005

Authorities confiscated the guns in N.O.

I still think .22 ammo is worth more than it's dollar value in gold.

Dewlanna · Sep 11, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by JHZR2:

Id say to have $1000, a generator (preferably diesel), 10x 1/10 or 1/4 oz American Eagle gold pieces, canned food, water in glass jars, camping supplies, plastic bags, wool clothing, first aid and cleaning supplies, and a set of buckets to fill and store more fresh water in case of an impending emergency that you can prep to some amount for... (as well as ones to fill so youre not sitting in your own feces).

JMH

Except for the money, your list is pretty much standard winter readiness up here. And since this is the U.P. winter readiness is a year 'round thing

I don't have a generator, but the neighbor does. So if I needed to run the well pump for a bit to refill the water jugs, I'd borrow his.
If the emergency was during warm weather, he'd let me use the generator to run the fridge and freezer for a bit to keep them cold. Keeping food cold is not a problem most of the time here.

We heat with a spaceheater-type wood stove that I can cook on, so I don't have to worry about hot meals and keeping the house warm.

I have a non-electric can opener.

Can't think of anything else I'd need power for. The kid's GameBoy and CD player run on batteries and I always have a good supply of those. No need for electricy to run the computer since in an emergency the cable's most likely to be out as well.

We have oil lamps and flashlights for lighting.

I'm pretty well set for whatever Mother Nature throws at me.

[ September 12, 2005, 09:00 AM: Message edited by: Dewlanna ]

John K · Sep 11, 2005

Pablo - always funny.....
JMH - why water in glass jars? Subject to breakage either from shock or freezing.
As far as cigarettes go, good time to quit. No one mentioned first aid stuff..... Maybe it is a given.

John K · Sep 11, 2005

Oops, rereading and JMH did say first aid....

JHZR2 · Sep 11, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by John K:

JMH - why water in glass jars? Subject to breakage either from shock or freezing.

Youre right about shock... but have you ever drank water that has sat in plastic fr a long time? Nasty, not to mention the estrogen precursors that leach from the plastic jugs.

Glass jugs with adequate headspeace is optimal, IMO. It stores better that way for long periods of time.

Sit the glass jugs in the empty buckets I reccomended, just in case

JMH

Emergency Fund

Similar threads