Before I had kids and my own business, I had an awesome memory–I rarely forgot things.
But now, everyone in my family knows that the observant and prepared spouse in my marital relationship is NOT me. Everyday I seem to forget something: keys, phone, credit card, ID, money, and, of course, flashlight, knife, and my Walther PPS.
Tonight I was running one of our boys to another sporting activity and ran some errands while waiting. Not until I was at the checkout did I realize I had no cash. No credit cards. No money to do anything. Thankfully I had half a tank of gas ('cause I was in my husband’s vehicle and not my own, yep, almost always on empty but never empty)
Called the hubby up and asked if any money was hidden in his car, and BAM, hubby comes to rescue with $100.
Thankfully I didn’t forget my phone…now I just need to know where the cash is in advance–in case I forget my phone!
I was raised quite poor (sadly) and now that I’m a great deal older and more successful, I find that even with credit cards and all that, I just feel better with some cash in my pocket—at least $100, though I just looked and found $235 in my pants pocket—I just feel better with some $$$ around. As for stashing some cash in a hidden location in our cars—I find 50 one dollar bills and another $150 in 5s, 10s, and 20s is a good idea along with at least two flashlights, a folding knife and extra batteries, a few water bottles and a small first aid kit, etc…
This is why I always preload my pockets the night before. Then again, I’m also known to be so extreme as to keep a couple twenties each stashed in a shirt pocket, a boot and inside my tablet, not to mention two flashlights on my person and one in the tablet case, and enough heavy-duty pens to shank my way through a small cellblock. Multiple spare powerbanks for phone and tablet too. Spare mags for sidearm both on person and in briefcase/tablet case/laptop bag. (EXTREME conditions, AR15 pistol in briefcase as backup-gun.) Yes, I clank when I walk… LOL “Must remember to do something about all this pocket change soon, it’s getting heavy…”
“ALWAYS keep a spare!”–Abby’s Lab Rule #9, NCIS
Vehicles, most of my family never let get below a half tank, and of late my mother is so obsessive she tops off at three-quarters.
I always think of my grandmother when this comes up. After she passed, my dad and uncles found about $12,000 hidden everywhere around the house. Behind pictures, in cans, books, etc. She hid it literally everywhere.
Any easy place to stash cash that you will always have on you is to put it in between the back of your phone and your phone’s case. If you have an older phone where you can access the battery, you can put some between the battery door and the battery.
Also, you should look into setting up Samsung Pay / Apple Pay on your phone, so you can pay using your phone at 30% or so of businesses who are set up to take it.
I used to always keep a few bucks in my car. Nothing major but something just in case. It was usually under $20 but it’s enough for emergency gas, food, first aid or just about anything common. Then one day I decided to give my car to one of those detail shops. Some time later I realize I was missing my emergency money. I can’t say with certainty that one of the car wash guys stole it but I’m the only one who drives my car and I didn’t use the money or place it anywhere else
I used to keep two hundred dollars of “emergency money” in my car for years. It was a Chrysler Concorde that had headrest covers that were zippered on to the supports at the bottom. A great place to stash the moolah. Last year I donated the car to charity. Yep, I forgot all about the cash. Thank God my wife mentioned it as the tow truck left our driveway. There I am running down the street after it yelling “Come back, come back!” It was a “Shane” moment! Fortunately they stopped and all went well. Though I had to split the take with my wife for the so called “I covered your dumb ass fee”! :sad:
One of my best purchases was a little pocket I bought in the clearance section of Staples for .99. It is glued to the back of my phone and holds my id, ccw, and a cc. Now I am never without any of those. Now just need to stick some cash in it.
Yes…always trying to be more prepared. Honestly, with 2 kids that I homeschool and businesses that need my constant attention, I am usually forgetting something when I leave the home: either my gun, my phone, my computer, my keys, sunglasses, etc. Irritating.
Granted, it’s a little easier when you’re a guy and live in 5.11’s with pockets everywhere, and I don’t have anywhere near as many balls in the air to juggle (though the Ill-Tempered Mutant Landcrab does her darnedest sometimes), but… the basic principle of “set a place for every thing, put everything in same place every time” helps a lot.
