I'll be honest, I didn't read every word in the BOB threads while looking for this information, I just quickly breezed through them.

I'm wondering how much cash is ideal for the BOB, I don't remember any mention of this subject. I guess paper money would probably be worthless should TEOTWAWKI come around.

Even in minor situation cash is nice. I have been to several places that for one reason or another couldn't take cards. I know guys who won't leave home with less than a grand in their pocket just in case.

But I think not having enough cash to at least fill your car up with gas and buy some McDonalds is a mistake.

I keep two hundred in mine; 6 x $20 bills, 4 x $10, 4 x $5 and 20 x $1.

I also have a roll of silver dollars and a roll of pre-1965 silver dimes in my pack for the TEOTWAWKI. I doubt that will happen in my lifetime, but it just makes me feel like a cowboy walking around with a side arms and bag of silver. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

That is a good number! I make my wife keep a little stash in her wallet and I am going to up it. It'll be 3 or 4 50s plus the smaller stuff she has usually.

I keep about the same, two to three hundred when I can. Mostly small bills, in a crisis you might not be able to get change.

not a dime. i have never been anywhere, and im from east tennessee, where i cant pay with my cc or dc. i carry my military id, dl, hg permit, and cc in a ID holder (found this thing in afghanistan @ the PX in Bagram) and will never carry another wallet.

If the power goes out your Credit Card may not be taken AND you may not be able to get cash from the ATM.
After the Northridge Earthquake in LA I had no access to cash for about two days.

I keep a few hundred in small bills in a small waterproof bag.


MM

Yep, after Hurricane Ike my cards were useless.

I live in a large city and we had major storms, all the power was out, no cc or debit cards were accepted. If you can do without it's fine but I was in a buddies car and needed gas, he's not a prepper <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Had to scratch the bottom of the barrel.

I believe we are witnessing the breakdown of the global financial and monetary system, and that at some point in the process, paper money could become worthless. However, I also anticipate the possibility that there could be a period or periods during which the credit and banking system has broken down, but people are still accepting cash that has not yet hyperinflated or otherwise become worthless. Others have already mentioned disaster experiences that fall short of complete breakdown, but during which the system didn't function. All of this speaks to the desirability of having some ready cash in small denominations to get you through at least a short-term crisis. How much you would keep in a bugout bag, or in some other way out of the banking system but still readily accessible, depends on your circumstances, but I think it should be as much as you are comfortable risking the loss or theft of. In a bugout bag, a couple/few hundred would not be too much.
EDIT: And Jarhead's thought of having some real silver is an excellent idea.

Things must have changed since my last visit to the sandbox. We paid locals off with U.S. dollars on almost a daily basis in both Iraq and Afghanistan. We bought luxury items, like toilet paper and information/cooperation with cash.

Not only paying locals, but I don't think I saw any stores out in the mountains that took credit cards.

There is a long history of people all over the world being happy to take U.S. dollars for goods, services, tips, bribes, etc., instead of, and often in preference to, their own currencies. Any traveler would have experience with that. Sadly, I think those days could be coming to an end. Hang onto your silver, Jarhead.