I've never understood the need for a whole lot of cash in a BOB. Some, sure, but not a whole lot more than I carry daily. If a situation gets so bad that your credit cards don't work and banking has collapsed, you will be needing something more concrete than paper money to barter with. I'm not sure the people who hoard gold and silver will do much better than paper money. What in the heck can one do with a chunk of gold in an emergency? It's really pretty useless when you think about it. Food, water, shelter, gasoline, firearms, ammunition - I'd think these types of tangible things would get you much further in a bartering economy following a banking collapse.