There are so many types of emergencies that we need to be prepared for big ones, small ones, short ones and long ones. Chances are, most of us will never experience a big major emergency, but it’s wise to be prepared. Your preparation efforts for these large scale emergencies can be built over a period of time (stocking the pantry, water filters, generator, emergency heater, etc). The small emergencies are the ones we really need to be ready for right now, they can happen to any of us at any time. What kinds of things do we need to be prepared for a small emergency, especially those you might encounter while away from home? Here are a few things you should carry in your vehicles or in your purse so you’re prepared for those small emergencies that may arise while you’re out and about.
In our cashless society it’s easy to never have to carry any cash, but there are times when it’s necessary. You may think you can run to the ATM for some cash if you need it, but if a storm comes through and the electric is out that might not be the case. Several years ago we had the remnants of a hurricane roll through and we were without power for 4 days. Not only were we without power, but so was the surrounding area. The bank didn’t have power at first and the ATM was not working, the local gas station didn’t have power to run their credit card machines and they were only accepting cash. Fortunately we had some cash to cover what we needed at the time. Maybe you won’t experience a loss of power and the ATM being closed, but it could be something much more simple. Like being somewhere and needing $10 in cash and realizing you don’t have any in your wallet, perhaps your husband grabbed it or one of your kids needed it for school. Or maybe you stop for gas and realize they don’t take credit (there are still stations around here like that). It’s always wise to have a little cash stashed in the car just in case. You can determine what amount makes you comfortable, or what you think with comfortably cover any “emergency” you many have, perhaps enough to cover a tank of gas is a good rule of thumb. Keeping some cash around the house is also a good idea, keep whatever amount you think will comfortably cover a few emergency needs.
Make sure you have supplies in your vehicles for minor medical emergencies. Keep a first aid kit in your vehicle at all times and make sure it’s stocked. We have a kit in each of our cars and each year I get it out and make sure it’s stocked with fresh supplies, swap out aspirin/meds and check to make sure the bandaids are still sticky. You don’t want to be stuck needing them and not having them or having them be out of date. You don’t have to buy a special one, but they are handy if you don’t have the time to make one yourself (here’s one that’s only $9). Although making a few with your children would be a good way to teach them the value of being prepared.
Keep a few flashlights in your car and even in your purse and a small pocket knife or multi-tool. You never know when a flashlight might come in handy, drop your keys in the ditch, the lights go out in the store, your trunk light goes out. They sell all different sizes of flashlights to fit every need you have, from tiny keychain lights that only cost $5-$10 to big maglites that can take a beating rolling around in your trunk. We have a few of the large ones and I have 5-6 of these Mini Maglites placed all over the house. Of course you need to make sure you have some extra batteries and maybe a spare bulb or two as well. We keep candles in the house, but those aren’t really convenient to keep in the car.
Having some water and snacks on hand is also a great idea when you’re away from home. It’s a great habit to get into, not only will you save money but you’ll have some in case you need it. I have a bag that sits by the back door with some homecanned applesauce and bottles of water. Before we head out the door I’ll throw in some nuts and dried fruit and a few other snacks. Not only does this allow me to have some healthy snacks in case I’m out longer than expected (which happens often when you’re running errands, especially when the closest store is 30 min away), but I also save money because I don’t end up buying water or food while I’m out. There area few other other things you might want to consider carrying in your car as well: some string, scissors, jumper cables, blankets in winter, an extra coat, etc.
How do you prepare for those little emergencies? Do you have any great tips for things to carry in the car “Just in Case”?
A Little Cash on Hand
May 19, 2010 by chiotsrun
This is a wonderful post. I have NOT done any of these things! As soon as school is out next week, I am going to be right on this! Be prepared, that’s my new motto.
Very good post. I never thought of keeping cash on hand as part of “weather preparedness,” but it’s an excellent point. (Also handy for those times when the gas station gives a 5 cent per gallon discount for paying cash!)
Things we’ve found useful to keep in the car: towels (good for everything from drenching rainstorms to spilled drinks to unplanned stops at the beach); blankets. If a change of weather seems likely, we also bring extra clothes. It’s a little weird, but after one mountain hike where we were all caught in the rain, the fact that one of our friends had a bunch of clean laundry in the back of her car may have been a literal life-saver. (The fact that some of it was historical re-enactment garb just made the stop for much needed coffee extra-amusing.)
Yes, towels is a GREAT one. We usually carry some in the summer when we take our dog hiking. She gets pretty muddy and we like to wipe her off before she gets into the car.
Extra clothes is a good one as well. I often have some extra socks and an extra jacket/sweatshirt, especially in spring if I leave during the day when it’s warm and may get home after dark when it gets cold.
We have cash, though the amount in the car and in my purse fluctuates constantly. We *tend* to have water in the car. We picked up a great little flashlight unit that can run off the car battery and is also a compressor. We have flashlights in the house, but I hadn’t thought about having one in my purse. I have a little first aid kit in the car, but it’s kinda pathetic. I’ve always got snacks.
As we have little kids, we constantly have “car toys” that live in the car (cheap and/or happy meal toys). We always have a few blankets in the car and a small bottle of advil.
Now that the potty training is almost done, I don’t carry a diaper bag full of stuff. I should repurpose my old one or make something specific for car trips. I love your bag with the pockets for bottles of water!
I HATE not having cash on me. I’ve been stuck in foreign countries w/out it – a good lesson indeed.
We include in the First Aid kit one of those ice packs you can smash and use as well as bug stuff (waiting for help in a buggy place is miserable….)
The car also carries a few batteries (for the friend who shows up with a gadget to help only to discover the batteries are dead…)
Don’t forget a few granola bars…chocolate also helps.
We also keep one day of prescription meds in the car as well, in case we are unable to get home…
A multi-task/multi-tool pocketknife is helpful
and DRY matches…
Love the multi tool, I have one in my purse and end up using more than you’d think. Comes in quite handy!
Careful with batteries stored in a hot car–they can leak and burn both skin and the other stuff in the bags with them. Further, heat will drain them. Change them often, and keep them in their blister packs. This can be a problem with flashlights stored in cars as well.
I figure $100 will temporarily get me out of most problems – gas, a place to stay etc. Keep it in $20s so you aren’t looking for change.
My car always has…umbrella(western washington), kids underwear (you just never know), a towel, a small blanket, firstaid kit, water, flashlight.
And because my car has almost 300,000 miles on it I always throw in a pair of walking shoes just in case it finally dies and I have to hoof it somewhere!
Great post! Kim
We always have a blanket or two in the car for impromptu picnics or winter emergencies. Cash is king … seldom use the ATM as we’re on a budget and use the envelope system … a few spare baby diapers for when I have my grandson with me … and a few rags for spilled water or coffee. We also keep our gas tank at least half full.
In addition to first aid and basic hand tools (screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench, small socket set–that kind of thing), one unexpected thing I always keep in my car is a couple of large trash bags. Potential uses include:
– Impromptu poncho (cut arm and head holes).
– Something got all muddy and I don’t want it getting my car interior dirty.
– Picking up interesting bits of nature that I want to take home but don’t want to get on my hands for whatever reason (I was once collecting animal skulls for a friend; it involved a lot of interacting with disgusting corpses by the roadside).
– Putting trash in (actually, I have never ever used my car-trash-bags for that).
I also keep a small assortment of zip-lock bags in gallon and quart sizes.
Great idea! I keep a few napkins & shopping bags in the glove box just in case!
They also come in handy when you’re visiting someones garden and they offer you a plant!
How do you keep a first aid kit in the car from getting ruined? My car sits outside most of the time and it gets really hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. And I’m only in Virginia! If I still lived in the Midwest, the extremes would be even worse.
I generally keep the kit in the trunk, under a seat, or in the glove box where it stays a little cooler. I do go through it once or twice a year and swap out medicine/bandaids/etc. Most of the stuff in there doesn’t change with heat, gauze, cotton balls, etc. But the bandaids and medicine will deteriorate. I try to keep a minimum amount in there of the things that are affected by heat and refresh with new items from the house medical kit at least once but usually twice a year. You could also carry those items in a bag that you take in the house/office so they last longer, but then you run the risk of forgetting them.
Living as remotely as I do, I keep a Gerber Exchange a blade saw in the truck in case I break down and I have to build a fire. Along with a candle, lighter, matches, and something to light a fire with like potato chips (heavy in oil, doubles as emergency calories), food, water, and warm blankets, shovels to get me clear of snow and/or mud, a lot of people carry a chainsaw in their truck as well. I’m still contemplating that!
Most of my emergency gear entails keeping warm!
Kristeva
In the winter we always have a sleeping bag or two, extra wool socks, boots, and other warm clothes in the car. Staying warm is definitely something to think about when you live in an area with cold weather.
And a great way to always HAVE cash on hand is to just put all the singles in your wallet into a stash every evening. You’ll never miss them. Every time there’s 20, I take it to the bank and get a $20 bill, which goes back in the stash. (We’ve paid for vacations this way. You’ll be amazed at how it builds up.)
A few days ago, I missed the bus to pick my son up from school. No worries, I still had heaps of time, I caught a cab. I had no cash on hand, but I had my card.
We got there and the cab driver either couldn’t operate the cabcharge machine or it was faulty. Anyway, he wouldn’t let me out of the cab, or drive me to an atm, until I paid! What a frustrating catch 22. He was belligerent, blaming me, saying that I had no money in my bank account, or my card was faulty, (not true, I was able to withdraw money on the way home). I ended up having to flag down another schoolmother i am barely aquainted with and borrow $10 off her. It was so embarrassing. I ended up being late anyway. I could have just caught the next bus.
I plan on carrying some money on me always from now on.
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