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Honest question: unless you're American, what kind of emergency could require a large volume of cash in less than a week? In the US it makes sense for medical

by Youden 5y ago

Honest question: unless you're American, what kind of emergency could require a large volume of cash in less than a week? In the US it makes sense for medical bills or a broken car or something but in a country with sane healthcare and public transit, I'm having trouble thinking of anything.

sofixa 5y ago
Even in such countries one could rely on a car. Some medical things aren't covered fully or require prepayment to be reimbursed later ( e.g. dental or glasses, but we're talking a couple od hundred euros max, not tens of thousands). There's also natural disasters or unexpected maintenance, appliances dying, roof/plumbing leaking, etc. In general though, i think for most EU countries a few thousand euros is enough of an emergency fund, depending on circumstances of course.
hprotagonist 5y ago
getting across a border to a country that isn’t getting shelled, without access to an ATM because they’re in pieces. getting across a border to a country that isn’t shelling its neighbor, without access to an ATM because they’ve been frozen. there are a few cases where “hundred dollar bills stuffed in the mattress” is actually the way to go!
Shatnerz 5y ago
A meteorite strikes your house and puts a hole in your roof in the middle of rainy season. You will likely need cash quickly. You may be able to get an invoice or payment plan, but a lot of workers who will patch your roof get ripped off and demand cash up front as a result. Other examples: - car transmission fails at a crucial time such as during travel (now you may need accommodation) - boiler breaks - AC failures during summer Really any major house related or car related issue. You could argue that these are maintenance costs and not emergencies and I would agree, but not everyone approaches these the same. It is also entirely possible for several affordable and expected events to unexpectedly happen at the same time.
briffle 5y ago
I keep about $500 in small bills hidden I’m my car. I have been on road trips where I have had car trouble, and the small town mechanic nearby only takes cash or local checks. When it happened, I had to get a ride to an ATM with an huge fee. I also live in the PNW, which is way overdue for a >9.0 earthquake. I keep some cash in a safe at home because it could be a week (or more) before phone systems are up and working again for things like gas stations, etc.

by Youden 5y ago

sofixa 5y ago

Even in such countries one could rely on a car. Some medical things aren't covered fully or require prepayment to be reimbursed later ( e.g. dental or glasses, but we're talking a couple od hundred euros max, not tens of thousands). There's also natural disasters or unexpected maintenance, appliances dying, roof/plumbing leaking, etc. In general though, i think for most EU countries a few thousand euros is enough of an emergency fund, depending on circumstances of course.

hprotagonist 5y ago

getting across a border to a country that isn’t getting shelled, without access to an ATM because they’re in pieces. getting across a border to a country that isn’t shelling its neighbor, without access to an ATM because they’ve been frozen. there are a few cases where “hundred dollar bills stuffed in the mattress” is actually the way to go!

Shatnerz 5y ago

A meteorite strikes your house and puts a hole in your roof in the middle of rainy season. You will likely need cash quickly. You may be able to get an invoice or payment plan, but a lot of workers who will patch your roof get ripped off and demand cash up front as a result. Other examples: - car transmission fails at a crucial time such as during travel (now you may need accommodation) - boiler breaks - AC failures during summer Really any major house related or car related issue. You could argue that these are maintenance costs and not emergencies and I would agree, but not everyone approaches these the same. It is also entirely possible for several affordable and expected events to unexpectedly happen at the same time.

briffle 5y ago

I keep about $500 in small bills hidden I’m my car. I have been on road trips where I have had car trouble, and the small town mechanic nearby only takes cash or local checks. When it happened, I had to get a ride to an ATM with an huge fee. I also live in the PNW, which is way overdue for a >9.0 earthquake. I keep some cash in a safe at home because it could be a week (or more) before phone systems are up and working again for things like gas stations, etc.