You may wonder why I put “money” as a step in the 12 steps to creating a 72-hour kit. This is because of the expense. It may take some time to gather enough cash for your kits. Or you can collect it in 24 hours. Either way, it is an important part of your 72-hour kit.
Step 10: Money
- Cash is Small Bills – So how much should you put in your kit? Everyone will have a different idea. Without electricity, no one will be able to give you change. So, keep cash in small bills. Perhaps nothing larger than a 10 dollar bill. Coins are too heavy, so I don’t use them. How much in each pack could be different depending on the person who carries it. You may only trust your 8 year-old with $10, whereas an adult may want to carry enough for a tank of gas, a hotel and a few groceries. Is that $100 or $200? The choice is yours. Something is better than nothing. Should Mom and Dad each have the same amount? Remember, you may NOT evacuate together during a disaster. Your teenager could be the responsible party home with the little ones. I keep our money in a waterproof container.
Just like the rest of you, I’ve got some work to do. But working on these posts has gotten me motivated. Good luck with your own kit!
72-Hour Kit in 12 Steps