Add Cash To Your Car’s Emergency Kit

Having a little bit of cash on you at all times can help you avoid minor inconveniences. But if you think about using that cash you see peeking out of your wallet every time you reach for debit or credit, you may want to think about stashing some cash in another spot: Your car.

This tip comes from Reddit user i_only_troll_idiots, who recommends keeping a $20 tucked away in your car:

The amount is up to you, and depends on a lot of local stuff like prices, common fees, etc. But the idea is to keep some amount of cash in your car in case you:

  • Need to pay for parking and they don’t take cards.
  • Forgot your wallet on a quick trip to the store.
  • See a garage sale you’d like to check out.
  • Need to loan a friend a few bucks.
  • Want to contribute to an office pool of some kind (drinks, flowers, cards, etc).

I’ve found that car cash comes in very handy during spontaneous day trips. A park with hiking trails might charge a per-car entrance fee, or there might be a toll booth on the way. Maybe you want to buy a snow cone, and the guy doesn’t take payWave. You never know!

[referenced url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2018/07/what-do-you-keep-in-your-car/” thumb=”https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/t_ku-large/cnz5jlzlevznubytwvnc.jpg” title=”What Do You Keep In Your Car?” excerpt=”There was always a pink blanket in the trunk of the family car when I was growing up. It took up a lot of space but could never be removed, because what if the car broke down in winter? We would all have to huddle under the blanket while we waited for help. Driving without a blanket is just asking for trouble.”]

Of course, safety is a factor. As the Reddit suggester advises, don’t leave a $20 on the dash of your car. Put it in a console, or that sunglasses holder above the rearview mirror that you’ve never actually put sunglasses in. If you really want to limit your cash reserve’s exposure to daylight, put it in the boot with your other emergency supplies.

And once you use that cash or start running low, be sure to replace it for the next unexpected adventure.

Comments


Leave a Reply