How Much Emergency Cash Should You Keep at Home? | WSJ Your Money Briefing
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- Опубликовано: 3 окт 2023
- Financial advisors recommend keeping physical cash at home in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.
Wall Street Journal personal finance bureau chief Jeremy Olshan joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how much cash should be put aside.
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We were without power for 13 days during the 2009 Ice Storm. Thankfully, we had $2,000 in cash stashed at home. It was lifesaving!
Only works if the businesses are up and running. When tech goes down this country will be in a mess. Automation will be our downfall in a big disaster.
It is important to keep change and small bills, 1's, 5's, 10's, 20's, 50's, and 100's. If grid goes down, there will be no change, keeping all large bills will not work. There is a story of a woman after Katrina, she spent $20.00 for $5.00 worth of items because of no change. Hope this helps.
Those are the only denominations the US prints. I don't keep anything larger than a $20 bill. $50's and higher get broken at the store now if I have them.
I would've bought 4 of whatever it was she was buying. JS
A few years ago I stopped spending $5 bills & stash them in the house. I got my husband to do the same and we have a few thousand dollars now so we got a safe.
Excellent. I keep a sh-ton of them in a Kleenex tissue folding wrapper in the car. Very handy when needed and on the go camping firewood pay boxes, etc.
For the love of God, as a lifelong Florida resident don’t ever pay any contractor in cash during a storm. That’s the fastest way to say goodbye to your money and they skip town and you’ll never see them again. Tons of guys did this back in 2004 and 2005 ripping people off left right and center.
I have some monopoly type money that I can give them.
Only pay when job is done.
Someone hit a power pole in Georgia a few weeks ago. ALL of the businesses in that area only accepted cash as their electricity was out. Starving, I was glad I had cash on me. Always keep some on me. Since the food wouldn’t last long without electricity, they doubled my order for the price of one serving. Big win for me.
I stopped by a McDonalds a few Saturdays ago, their system was down, all they could do was write down orders and take cash. I was fine, always have some cash with me.
I was at my local supermarket last week. I tried to pay for my purchases with my card, it kept rejecting it. I always keep cash on me just in case, so I was still able to pay for my purchases and not have to put anything back!
@@cherylT321 smart
Always have cash in the vehicle. Most tow truck operators will not accept check
or credit cards. 'same with roadside emergency services
I keep a couple of twenties buried in my vehicle manual in the glove box just in case as well. Came in handy a time or two while out camping (firewood), etc.
I was in Puerto Rico during hurricane Maria, when the whole island went dark. My family spent close to $400 for around 2 weeks in groceries, gas, etc. So I'd say for extreme situations, $500 should cover the basics for a while.
In inquiry: Do you find yourself if you travel spending more on the mainland? Always thought Puerto Rico had a relativity low cost of living.
@henryalmodovar6665
2 days ago (edited)
I was in Puerto Rico during hurricane Maria, when the whole island went dark. My family spent close to $400 for around 2 weeks in groceries, gas, etc. So I'd say for extreme situations, $500 should cover the basics for a while.
500 is not enough
Same here after Maria. If one is prepared beforehand, the needs of cash are actually relatively small. I suppose those with gasoline generators might have needed more but us solar peeps were good to go right away. My biggest Maria expense was chartering a plane to leave for 3 months until the power was back...
This is the number. I have a substantial silver mercury dime collection if things get really bad.
I had like $2000 cash when the hurricane hit. I was able to survive for the whole month.
When Sandy hit I was lucky to find a deli that was open because most didn't have power.
They still didn't have internet connections so they were only accepting cash.
This is the kind of situation you need cash for in an emergency.
Its crazy to think that this newer generation sees the use of cash as archaic 😮
Until they see it first hand. Ask any of them if they would turn it down if you offered it to them. Then their answer is totally different. The same is true with gold and silver. 99.95% of the US population doesnt own gold or silver. They refuse to buy it. But if offered to them or when heirs who do own it die, that is the first thing they want.
I never carry cash but I can see keeping some stashed.
@@ALCAN52gold is a Ponzi
I'm 62, and haven't touched bills or change in probably 5-6 yrs.....
@@ALCAN52 I see gold and silver as true and the ultimate form of money. Most people dont understand its significance or would know how to use it as a financial tool.
I was out of power for sixteen days after Hurricane Ike and at least for the first few days it was a PIA to find stores or gas stations open. After that I started keeping a thousand dollars in cash at home. Thankfully I had plenty of non-perishable food on hand, so eating was not problematic.
Seem like a lot have a lot of non-perishable food though I would say keep enough water on hand too (ideally for 3 or more days).
My credit union uses backup generators at every ATM, but I suspect that money would quickly run out if there was a sustained power outage.
Recently I had about a thousand dollars in a small safe, decided I only needed a hundred, a couple of fifties, twenties and tens, a dozen fives* and a small pile of coins.
*if the effluvium impacts the rotating air conditioner courtesy of a sustained solar storm i'm thinking it might be handy to have small change to help with wee purchases like bread and butter.
The problem would probably be the ATM communicating with "the outside" to ask your bank account if you have the money needed. It would probably not give you any money in that case. Fortunately a credit union would probably be a fairly close "the outside".
Just drive further away where they isn’t a power outage
@@johnurban7333 that’s fine for a small power outage. A large area (like a hurricane) would make that difficult. Good idea overall though.
@@johnurban7333 That's hilarious lolololol And just where, may I ask, are you obtaining gas? Because, let me tell you, after Katrina all of the gas stations for hundreds of miles were empty - and they weren't being restocked because no trucks were even able to get in here. Trees and power lines blocked all roads in and out, plus we were under a curfew. There are so many roadblocks to attempting to live normally I can't even remember them all. People think this is a hurricane/natural disaster issue but it can literally happen anywhere if there is a power grid failure. Luck favors the prepared.
People may laugh . But this is a real need. If SHTF. Having some cash in the house will be needed. At least in the short term.Good and important video.
What about some gold? How much gold to keep in the house?
@@grigorirasputin425 all of it
@@grigorirasputin425 All you have. If you don't hold it, you don't own it.
Senator Menendez recommends at least $500,000 cash on hand
Well maybe that is his or her 3 to 6 months of living expenses...but for the VAST majority of americans.... that is not attainable until reaching baby step 7.
And a few gold bars 😂
LOL! He also recommends that you keep it in the pockets of your coats and jackets, in the hall closet.😂
He stitched his $Cash to various parts of his jacket! LOL
You’re kidding me, $500,000 really!?!1
2k could cover everything for at least a couple weeks plus mis sized unexpected expenses. I've always been a envelope stuffer that pays my bills 6 months out so the 2k is there without really trying.
It needs to be in small denominations, if they can’t make change you loose the difference.
Yes. I have all 50s now and need to do something about that today.
I used to keep a stash of all one hundred dollar bills just because it's more compact and easily portable if need be. Then, it came to mind that I'd be stuck in an emergency if nobody had change, or I'd just wind up having to lose the difference if I had to purchase a vital item which could make my stash dwindle very quickly, leaving me unable to purchase other necessities. So, I then switched the stash out for all twenties. Now, I'm thinking I probably should have some singles, fives, and tens as well.
I think $1k seems like a decent amount to keep hidden somewhere in the home.
Under the mattress
As long as it doesn’t burn down or destroyed by a hurricane
@@johnurban7333fire proof safe and or home owners insurance would cover it
Under the doormat
I have a small hidden safe with cash and important documents. Peace of mind
This story is about actual CASH not other prepping one may do. I live in hurricane alley so my prep is pretty extensive (from canned/dried foods, water, batteries, portable solar panels, hammocks, tarps, fans, snacks, etc); I calculate about 2 months of living without governmental help. But CASH is only for small stuff at the beginning and 500-1,000 is more than enough.
1 month’s expenses is a solid recommendation
Excellent
What scenario are you think of where you need to have 1 month's worth of expenses on hand?
@@dontbanmebrodontbanme5403If you live in blizzard country, the power can be out in town for three weeks. Bills still have to be paid.
I completely agree. 1-2 months of your average monthly spend. Sitting in a safe, to be forgotten about spot (preferably a safe) unless a true emergency. This will be different for every person based on their monthly spend.
@@dontbanmebrodontbanme5403 Natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, and heavy ice/snow can knock out power for quite a while (especially in rural areas). Credit card payment systems can also go down due to glitches or cyberattacks. Of course, Murphy's Law dictates that you'll need a very expensive repair or service when you only have cash available, so plan accordingly.
$5-10K in petty cash seems about right to keep around. Just enough to do something in a pinch but not lose too much interest by not being in a savings account.
Who still leaves cash in a bank account? Thats like the worst thing anyone could do these days.
@@mysterybuyer3738 Is there a more convenient option that costs nothing? Love to hear.
A savings account pays 0.5% after the 6 month 1.5-2% intro rate for opening the account in the first place.
@@mysterybuyer3738 Uhh, probably the majority of the nation's population.
You probably need a million or two just to keep life comfortable for a long-duration power outage.
Ain't no one selling you anything when everything is down. Not even grocery stores would be doing businesses as their cash would be considered "loots" for criminals. The better approach is probably have enough food at home for few weeks.
And a way to protect it
Are you in D.C. where the power goes out for a few minutes a year on average? The corner local-ish convenience store when there was a storm was packed while on generators and welcomed the money. Out of ice though.
Still can be "Looted" digitally too.
And there around this area an eatery that just got a new menu system this year and still are cash only.
@@mitchell.9632 the article was sort of hinting like a systematic power outage for weeks, definitely not like a temporary thing due to overheating at the grid or storm. Under such circumstances such as an earthquake or invasions food becomes scarce enough no one is selling or accepting cash. Gun would do much better than anything else. If you have stuff, you need ways to protect it. If you have means to protect it, you probably have enough means to get it from others.
@@Steven-xf8mz Major storms *can* knock power off for over a week and recently have for some throughout and around the storm path throughout the state.
@@mitchell.9632 I don't know the extend you're referring to. This may be biased opinion from me, because I have only seen that happen to exclusively zones which tends to be parts of cities, not like a 50 mile thing where you can't drive to a place to use your cc. Under a catastrophic event, it is unlikely cash is useful because money becomes the most useless thing around. It sounds like you're trying to counter my argument by using specific set of criteria which is fair but definitely not what I was referring to. So I do agree with what you said in a sense but also disagree because my original and ongoing comments aren't targeted to what you're referring to
I think it is important to have some in smaller denominations if all you have is $100 bills everything will cost at least $100 because no one will have change
7K cash + Gold and vehicle titles in a fireproof/waterproof safe
Good answer. But I give a more detailed answer.
I think I'm the only person on this planet who uses cash only. There are numerous places I won't go to because they don't take cash.
What I don’t understand is, on one hand we are told the stock market will crash and yet on the other we are told ways of investing in the stock market. Oxymoron or paradox?
People employ various tactics to capitalize on market fluctuations, whether it's experiencing an upswing or downturn.
Personally, I would say have a mentor. Not sure where you will get an experience one, but if your knowledge of the market is limited, it seems like a good bet.
De-risk your portfolios, shore up your core holdings, and take some profits while balancing your portfolio allocations. I’d also suggest you go with a managed portfolio, but even those don’t perform so well, so it’s best you reach out to a proper fiduciary to guide you, that’s what works for my spouse and I. We've made over 80% capital growth minus dividends.
this is all new to me, where do I find a fiduciary, can you recommend any?
Thank you for this Pointer. It was easy to find your handler, She seems very proficient and flexible. I booked a call session with her
As a former power company employee and having to deal with hurricane issues, I found that the cash issue is nonexistent because when the power is off the merchant’s cash registers and refrigerator/freezers and gas pumps do not work. They can’t sell you anything without the register. If the register is up, then most likely their internet connection will take your credit card and cash. Very few cashiers know how to make change the old fashion way.
The most valuable thing to have is a full tank of gas to get out of the area with a power outage. Hurricanes with power outages have a limited affected areas where you could travel 200 miles and find a hotel room. Winter storms power outages are far worse because they can be very broad in nature. A winter storm requires a generator and maybe auxiliary form of heating and cooking. Their power outage foot print can be highly variable and unpredictable. Panic buying up resources like gas and food during the outage is the major issue.
If you own a gun, keep enough to hire a lawyer and pay bail. All I can say from experience, my own, is that I once lived through a hurricane and blackout that lasted a week, before power was restored. I was available on street corners, but was $20 a bag (1985). ATMs did not work, and anything that was available was available in exchange for cash. Bars were open!! but only took cash.
Great conversation. I've pondered over this myself. And you made me laugh about where to hide it! I worried I would forget where I put it. lol!
Obviously it goes in the most valued thing in the house - your waifu anime body pillow. Most people would not go digging in there.
If power is out the gas pumps don't work.
The answer is - as much as you can afford. Count on 2 weeks of paying for food, gas, and hotel rooms. If you can afford $500 that's only going to cover food and gas, so plan on sleeping at rest stops or campgrounds. If you can afford it 2K-3K is the right amount because hotel rooms generally jack up their prices in those times.
Money briefing uploads are usually fun & bite sized
I usually keep $2500 in cash. This covers emergency repairs in case a contractor that cannot accept cc.
Plus your weed delivery guy, no?
The takeaway is people have different needs and means and you have to come up with the answer that fits you
A years worth of medicines, a strap (100 bills) of 1's,2's,5's,10's, and 20's, Whatever firearms you think you may need, two weeks of clean clothes, a medical kit, 25 gallons gas, a 5K home generator, personal items kit (soap, razor, comb, etc.), portable radio/tv/computer and fresh batteries, flashlights/ Coleman pressure lanterns. The list can go on and needs to be tailored to whether you stay in place or have to move. With Maria in PR, the entire Island had no power - the FRB shipped in Planeloads of Pallets of cash (CASH cash)to keep the economy going.
That guys crackling voice is killing me😵💫
Me, I keep about $300-$400K scattered around the house in loose piles around the house - on the dining room table, in front of the living room window, etc.
Great episode
There is a generational difference (though it does not apply in whole to the whole cohort). In an area where the power has not gone out often in just over a decade there was scuffle even though the power was not off long enough that cell phone service was not interrupted on a relatively new unlimited plan.
I have $1k in tens and $1k in ones - quite a stack. Along with 200 ounces of silver in various forms.
Gas stations go down when power goes out too. In addition to cash, its important to have a couple 5 gallon gas containers full too. During hurricane Sandy, I had to bring my mother in NJ gas from PA.
Hopefully we learned something from the 9/11 when their was a run on the banks. You’ll remembered what happened… “Sorry, our ATMs are not working right now.”
Keep in mind price gouging could very well happen so $500 worth of goods could cost you $3,000!
My apartment complex has a big sign on their office door "NO CASH ACCEPTED". I bet if power was out for weeks or months, they would quickly change their tune. 😂
I have $6 laying around…
I do talk on hurricane preparedness for one of my local charities groups and the talk is geared towards seniors or people with disabilities and once you start going down the rabbit hole cash, of course is one of the things but the rabbit hole can get very very long and deep.
I have done extensive backpacking in remote areas. When the power was off for 5 days at home I just lived like in the back country with the benefit of sleeping in my own bed in a leak and wind proof building instead of in a tent or under a tarp and running water and a real bathroom.. Eating for 5 days off my normal stock of food was no problem. I don't think I spent any money during that time.
I like the way you think, friend.
Thank you for this information.
Enough for a one-way airline ticket out of the country
and if you pay cash you are instantly flagged by TSA
I have a tornado survival station in my basement. When a tornado warning sounds, my son grabs all the electronics and the file box and takes them downstairs. I take the jewelry drawer, a couple of items of sentimental value, and the barley box from the pantry. It's filled with cash and sits between the quinoa and the faro.
Not too smart telling people this and using your real name. "It's filled with cash and sits between the quinoa and the faro."
Can you imagine how many people in the English speaking world have my name? Needle in a haystack to figure out which one posted that reply.
@@MoonMan1956
This was great, thank you!
He said one week (or two) of expenses. Most of my expenses are not payable in cash (automatic mortgage payment for example), so I assume you mean a week or two of locally purchased expenses (like groceries).
How much does a night at a motel cost? How many nights may your family need to stay outside of your home? That plus food and gas would be the main items which you would need to pay while out of your home.
Don’t keep it in $100’s
Thanks.
I'm here to tell you $1000 buck cash goes away very quickly. I say have as much on hand as you can comfortably muster for your personal situation.
Stocks are pretty unstable at the moment, but if you do the right math, you should be just fine. Bloomberg and other finance media have been recording cases of folks gaining over 250k just in a matter of weeks/couple months, so I think there are alot of wealth transfer in this downtime if you know where to look.
yes, transportation, e-commerce among other sectors are expected to experience growth, but who knows, the market has been a basket of surprises.
Such market uncertainties are the reason I don’t base my market judgements and decisions on rumours and here-says, got the best of me 2020 and had me holding worthless position in the market, I had to revamp my entire portfolio through the aid of an advisor, before I started seeing any significant results happens in my portfolio, been using the same advisor and I’ve scaled up 750k within 2 years,
True, we’re only just an information away from amassing wealth, I know a lot of folks that made fortunes from the Dotcom crash as well as the 08’ crash and I’ve been looking into similar opportunities in this present market, could this coach that guides yo help?
Having a counselor is essential for portfolio diversification. My advisor ASHLEY AIRAGAHI who is easily searchable and has extensive knowledge of the financial markets.
Thank you for this amazing tip. I verified her and booked a session with her. She seems Proficient.
At least 1 month worth of your living expenses.
Burglars are loving his podcast.
2k should be fine.
I keep $20 bills hidden all around the house. Lots of them. They come in handy!
I keep 2k in my apartment inside one of my shoes I never wear.
What’s your address 👀
@@Bunnyacj😂😂😂
Cash Is King✨👌🏽
There is a senator from Louisiana that says you need to keep $90,000 In your freezer
It's estimated that Americans will need more than $1 million to retire comfortably, but I found most of us aren't bullish about meeting that goal. I've been sitting on over $750K equity from a home sale and I want to invest on the stock market, how do I achieve this?.
I've never seen or heard any of Mrs Lauren Krawcheck clients complain of loss. I think she’s just too perfect
SCAM ALERT. If you have that much money and don't know what to do with it , you deserve to be robbed!
You can always write checks. Of course I live in a small town and the local businesses have no trouble with checks from locals. That said, I often go for a week or more without spending any money. I see no need to have a bunch of cash on hand given my lifestyle and where I live.
Its hard to have some money at home knowing that the high yield interest rates are so good right now. However the piece of mind knowing you have some money in case of an emergency is nice... If you can definitely keep it in a fire box if you can... Its not very useful if its burns away if you loose your home!
If it is a "robbery" ..the speaker's word:
The robber can compel the resident to
divulge the location(s) of the cash.
(Robbery requires threats or injury...or both.. such as: bank robbery or being
"Mugged")
Thanx, Mr. Whalen. Long time no see on RUclips. Hope to see u soon.
Ask the folks in Acapulco how much cash they wish they had right now. 🙏
I'm not concerned with a power outage but a Panic 'Run on the Banks' frenzy .
The problem with any emergency cash at home, now that they’re going digital and some banks are starting to not even deal with cash eventually There won’t be cash to deal with. That’s when everything is digital currency and every single transaction is taxed. Borrow money they’re gonna tax it, pay money back they’re gonna tax it. Tip somebody it’s all taxed. The system goes down nobody has access to cash because it doesn’t exist.
This is why I think every state should except all forms of legal tender. What I mean by that is precious metals as well as digital currency and paper currency and coins. Golden silver coins, gold backs and silver versions. And people should have a bit of everything stocked up.
Yes people should have gold and silver for sure.
Loose when resell
Use cash
I keep $50 in coins, $2k in small bills, and $2k in large bills. My wife and I set this money aside when we got married from money we were gifted. We put 4 months of savings into a money market account for an emergency fund and everything else is invested. I think if you should start with $1k in small bills and slowly bump it up until you hit your risk threshold.
As older person, I keep more cash on hand than my kids. Just seen more life...
Its strangw because now savings accounts are paying iver 5% so every 1k out of the bank is losing 50 bucks a year but i get the sentiment
As an urban prepper, I keep gold and silver around too, in addition to my cash, which I keep in separate denominations; it's wise to carry small bills and plenty of them because if you have to barter, any shyster will mark up what they're trying to sell you if you have nothing but 50s or 100s.
Gold? Silver? Nahhhh
Loose in resale
Cash is better
I’ve got about 3-4 months worth of living expenses saved for an emergency, and about 10% of that is cash in a location that I can reach quickly.
A lot of stores close during power outages and dont take cash. Gas stations and grocery stores alike. Food, water, and a power source to cook some food (or food to eat raw) is probably more helpful in a true, sustained outage.
As much as Fani.
This video was fun to listen to but pretty much didn’t tell us anything.
Jewelry doesn't get the attention that these holding cash discussions do and that in some cases are even smaller that cash and coin on the robbery topic.
$1,000 is about right.
I keep $500 in small denominations for power outages and the like.
I use cash for emergencies exclusively. Always have a bit of cash in your person. Always.
Have a bit more at home in the event of a natural disaster or whatever. Only use it during emergency, so as to not dip into what you have in savings if you don't have to. Slowly replenish your cash reserves if you end up using them.
Next month, I'm going to wake up to these 2 dudes in ski masks lifting my Barbasol
Just hide it however you hid weed from your parents. You’ll remember.
$1k minimum. A tire, chainsaw, or generator will eat that amount. Unless you have every conceivable thing you will need, I would say 1k is a nice starting point. If you are reading this even 6 months from this post specifically in 2024, your number should be inflation adjusted going forward on a 15% per quarter basis (fingers crossed).
Expert move. Have the same amount in silver/gold and Bitcoin. Also, always have 3-4 cases of water on hand and plenty of canned goods you can heat over a candle or camp stove/fire.
Just get to the point and state actual figures / numbers! Too much unnecessary talking!
Gas pumps don't work when the power is out
Keep your cash in a safe. If a burglar breaks in, yes they will try to open the safe. If you have a safe that’s under 200 lbs , bolt it to the floor. If you live in an apartment, where you can’t bolt it, leave it in a closet, maybe on a shelf (obviously a smaller safe not a 200lb safe). You should still be able to bolt it to the shelf and the wall behind the shelf. Typical burglars want to get in and out as fast as possible
If you have a safe, you have a target on your back!
@Sola_Scriptura_1.618 if you're dumb enough not to be armed ready to truly defend yourself, your property and your family..
You already have a target on your back
@@Sola_Scriptura_1.618 How so?
@johnabitabile5035 the idea of a safe conjures up all kinds of ideas in peoples minds! As a student, I read and did a book report on the novel "In Cold Blood" based on a true story. Since then, I have always made safety decisions based on how a criminal would think and act. I just recently added security cameras to my property, not because I couldn't financially afford them in the past, but because a criminal mind would think, "What kind of valuables does this guy have if he needs a surveillance system?". I finally made the investment, because surveillance systems have gone mainstream, and they act as a deterrent more than advertising, protecting items of value. Just my 2 cents!
@motoryzen being armed, and knowing how to protect yourself is actual safety! In Canada, firearms are restricted. I have a hunting license not for game, but for any animal on the street that decides to make my castle a target!
This is not about the Power being out, if any ATM or Register does not have internet connection transactions will not go through.
There are offline register operations. Also have seen and used backup pads.
If a true disaster or SHTF situation happens like they talk about, you’ll want firearms and ammunition. But you will never hear these “experts” talk about those.
Power outages is also one good reason why going totally digital with it is the worst Idea & wouldn’t work for us at all. Cash IS Freedom. 💸
If the power is out the gas can't be pumped....Stores have electric cash registers.....you're screwed regardless.
And you should have tarps, tools, two weeks of food, including for animals, etc. check out earthquake prep lists. These supplies should be together on one place, and a suitcase of passports, few photos for each of the last 10 years, etc PLUS cash. I often have a few thousand around, depending on how broke I am. Think earthquake, floods, fire, storms, what would you need for each, how would you protect cash from each?
61% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. How do we bring them up to speed?
they would need to leave "the greatest country in the world" and move to a place where delusion isnt king
They have to start saving, even 5 percent. Otherwise they screwed.
People will have to stop trying to have all the newest latest greatest junk and save some money. They have to decide for themselves that they want to do better, you can’t help them until they are ready to receive help. I recommend Dave Ramsey for people that are trying to change their financial situation.
That is a good point.
@@rsimmons1980How much is 5% of zero dollars?
I think in a jar buried in the back yard would be good incase of a house fire but don't use a metal lid someone can find with there detector 😅
I get plastic jars from my protein powder. Plastic jar, plastic lid.
Burying cash is ridiculous, they sell fireproof safes that you can hide in your house.
Because we are in hurricane season I have $500.
Generally, on hand I have $300.
During hurricane Andrew you could not use credit cards due to power outages!!
For one week: 500 bucks
2 weeks: 1k
3 weeks: 1500
4 weeks: beans and bullets
You'll want beans and bullets for all phases technically since we are generally 3 missed meals from anarchy at rate.
The answer is to keep 20k at home!
I only use cash for Facebook market place buys.
I am glad you addressed this need JR. However, if the power goes out for a week, 99.99% of Americans will not worry about buying clothes for one week.
Unless you live in blizzard country. Lots of people have warm clothes good enough for hopping in and out of warm cars, but not for spending three weeks in a cold, dark house in below freezing temperatures.