Survival on a budget. No survival kit is truly complete without a supply of cold, hard cash. During natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and other national emergencies, credit card and wireless systems will likely shut down, rendering credit and debit cards temporarily useless. If you need to buy something during that time, cash may be your only option.
Given the shape the economy has been in recently, many Americans find it difficult to keep an extra stash of bills in their bug out bags or with their emergency supplies while still paying rent each month. Additional cash may seem hard to budget, but the possibilities of earning or saving a little extra cash using your skills, possessions, and determination are endless.
Below are tips and ideas for making or saving extra cash to keep in your survival kit.
1. Have a yard sale!
One man’s trash is truly another’s pleasure, and you may not have looked at your comics since you were a kid or worn those hiking boots since you were in college, but your neighbors may be willing to pay a few bucks for these rare, retro, or otherwise usable items. Be reasonable, only sell items you are truly willing to part with, and always be willing to haggle! A slightly lower sale is better than none at all.
2. Offer to teach others your skills!
Whether you’re good at algebra, woodworking, or playing the clarinet, offer lessons or tutoring around your neighborhood or at community events. Crafting stores often have spaces you can use for lessons, or meet up at a local coffee shop or café. Your rates should be dependent on how experienced and educated you are in that field.
3. Save a small amount weekly and it adds up.
Grab a mason jar, empty coffee can, cigar box or any container with a lid you have on hand, and each week add $10 to the collection. After a year you will save $520, plenty for your emergency stash without deducting a large amount of money from your account all at once. Add the change from your pockets every day and it could end up being a lot more!
4. Join free rewards clubs everywhere you shop.
Sure, those email blasts and constantly malfunctioning unsubscribe buttons can be overwhelming at times, but free rewards programs offered to customers by retailers are a great way to save some major cash by getting special coupons, discounts, or other savings based upon loyalty or spending. Some supermarket rewards programs also generate gas points, saving you up to $1.00 per gallon.
5. Leave the car at home and take public transportation.
If your city has buses and trains and you don’t know how to use them, it’s time you learned. In most cities you can get all around town for a few of dollars per day. Instead of spending $10 in gas and sitting in traffic for an hour every morning, spend $5 on the bus and get to reading that book you keep picking up and putting down. If you make the switch to public transportation, spend even less money buy purchasing an unlimited weekly, monthly, or yearly pass.
6. Pick up some gigs in your spare time.
Many people will pay upwards of $100 for someone to paint a room in their home or to help them load their belongings into a trailer. Check local newspapers, community bulletin boards, and craigslist for short term gigs near you, and always be cautious of scams.
7. Petsit while your friends, family, or neighbors go away.
Pets are part of the family, and wouldn’t your friends prefer hiring someone they know and trust over a stranger to watch their beloved pets while they go to Cancun for spring break? Save them the worry of giving a stranger their house keys and charge less than the big companies do and your friends and family should gladly give you $80 to feed and love their cat for a week.
8. Go through your home and garage and return items you have never used
As long as the original packaging and tags are still affixed. If you keep your receipts organized (which always makes financial issues a little less stressful) you should be able to locate your receipt and at least get store credit to buy something you’ll actually use, or often you can get what you paid, how you paid. Avoid buying things you “might” or “could” use.
9. Explore your creative side and make things to sell
Handmade items are gaining popularity and you can really earn a lot of money with a good idea and honed skills. Take free classes to advance skills or learn a new craft. Keep costs low by repurposing items you already own or obtaining cheap (but quality) materials. Unravel old sweaters and reknit the yarn into scarves to sell, for example.
10. When was the last time you participated in a market research panel?
Companies like to focus on target markets, and they gather feedback from the public through market research panels. Lasting minutes to hours and paying $10-$500, you will be asked for your opinions on certain consumer products, services, or advertising strategies, either individually or in a group setting. You can get your name and phone number into databases and you will get calls for panels for which you qualify (usually based on age, gender, race, shopping habits, and educational background).
There are so many additional ways to save money around the house and out about town as long as you’re mindful and realistic. Saving money ahead of time can really help you during an emergency. Remember to keep your emergency cash in a waterproof container somewhere in your emergency supply where it is easily accessible to you. Try to maintain a variety of bill and coin denominations in your stash to prepare you for any situation. Coins are also valuable for paying road tolls or using coin operated telephones or machines. Keep your cash on your person when traveling or evacuating, and always be cautious when handling or exchanging money.
