It was after that same blackout that I started trying to save up cash to have on hand. I was lucky and already had the "stuff" I needed and didn't need to purchase anything, because I too had very little cash on hand. My budget is very very tight, so loose cash is hard for me to come by, but little by little I've managed to have an amount that will be helpful should I find myself in a similar situation again. Probably not "enough" but much better than before. And I'm still putting a little away every paycheck - even if it's just a fiver. Also - Most of it is in smaller denomonations as during the black out those stores (or individuals selling stuff) that were open didn't always want to make change from a big bill.