Anonymous wrote:I usually try to keep $1k in the house, just in case.
Generally have between $30-40k in checking/savings.
I almost never carry cash. DH likes to have at least $20 in his wallet at all times.
This is the right answer covering all of the potential solutions to the question. There’s a non-invested money answer, there’s a stash of cash in the house answer, and there’s a wallet answer.
We always have at least $20K earning bupkis in checking, because it’s a habit from when we had to pay quarterly taxes. My CPA/CFO dad would be ashamed and tell us there’s something else we could be doing with it but we’re used to having that much at this point.
We have $2000 in a safe in the house. Learned after Superstorm Sandy that gas stations, tree cutters and other necessary emergency services can’t take credit cards without power.
I try to have at least 40 bucks in my wallet but I fail because if I have cash I’ll spend it on small stuff instead of charging. My DH is from Jersey which is much more cash forward than here and almost always has at least a hundred on hand.