[300winmag]

The one place I found that *did* have power didn't have the ability to do debit cards, and of course I'd stupidly not thought to get cash before the storm. One for the preparedness list, I guess.

Thanks for that tip. $50 in small bills and coins is going into my bailout bag, right next to the Colt M1917.

Another thing that people should do, and I try, but not too faithfully to do, is back up critical financial and personal data on dirt-cheap 1GB USB drives, and keep in my bailout bag. Backup data from Quicken and my Palm Pilot is already encrypted, so it's safe enough to keep on a simple USB drive. I might lose my computers, but I want to keep the most critical data safe, and in my possession, if I ever have to do a quick egress.

I've seen generic 1GB thumb drives for $12, so nobody has any excuse for keeping their most sensitive, and sentimental, data safe, even if it's just to throw it in a safe deposit box (which might also be hard to access in an emergency). Duplication and dispersal is your friend, and could make starting over a whole lot easier.

[Rose in RoseBear]

A couple of rolls of quarters and two of dimes, and keep them in a pair of tube socks. Money, warmth, and a weapon, all in one.

[osagebowman]

yup, the small bills and change is 'vey' handy to have; during our ice storm to handi mart up the hill was selling, but no cash register, he'd round up (of course) if he didn't have the change. Still, folks were glad he was sorta open.