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Vodka...it can be stored practically forever if unopened and stored around 55-60 degrees and out of sunlight.
After about a decade it will lose some of it's alcohol content though.
Distilled spirits doesn't weaken if stored in a non-permeable airtight container (like a glass bottle). Interaction with oxygen can change the flavor or color. If you drink half a bottle and leave it sit for 10 years it might taste different because the non-alcohol components have been oxidizing from the oxygen that's there because the bottle is half full of air. If the bottle isn't sealed tight, or sealed with something permeable like cork, of course some alcohol will evaporate.
On a marginally related note, distilled spirits that are aged in casks don't get any better after they are bottled. A bottle of 1926 60-year old single malt (bottled in 1986) recently sold for $1.9 million. Although it's 93 years old, it will always be a 60-year old liquor because if bottled and maintained properly, it tastes the same today as it did in 1986.
Distilled spirits doesn't weaken if stored in a non-permeable airtight container (like a glass bottle). Interaction with oxygen can change the flavor or color. If you drink half a bottle and leave it sit for 10 years it might taste different because the non-alcohol components have been oxidizing from the oxygen that's there because the bottle is half full of air. If the bottle isn't sealed tight, or sealed with something permeable like cork, of course some alcohol will evaporate.
On a marginally related note, distilled spirits that are aged in casks don't get any better after they are bottled. A bottle of 1926 60-year old single malt (bottled in 1986) recently sold for $1.9 million. Although it's 93 years old, it will always be a 60-year old liquor because if bottled and maintained properly, it tastes the same today as it did in 1986.
That whisky is not 93 years old, it's 33 years old, aged in cask 60 years. As a fine whisky aficionado, that's overkill. Some of the best tasting whiskys are aged in two different casks, a charred oak cask to absorb the nastier chemicals and bring up the oak notes, followed by a used cask that has been used for sherry, rum, or whatever that will add hints of fruit flavor. Extended ageing periods do not improve the flavor much after a couple decades. Most of what I drink is in the 12-18 year category, with occasional forays into 20+ years.
1. One roll of each coinage.
2. $50 in ones
3. $50 in fives
4. $100 in tens
5. $400 in 20s
This money was kept at home in a fire proof safe. Got used twice, once during Hurricane Camille, and once during Hurricane Katrina.
God bless Rouse's Supermarket in Covington, La. They opened up after the storm. When they found out we had cash, we were escorted to the front of the line! The cashiers used adding machines. Prior to opening, sheets were prepared listing prices. It was slow, and people got grumpy, but Rouse's stayed open until they sold out. (We cashed in some of our change so they could continue serving customers.)
Fortunately, all we needed was laundry detergent. (God bless my fresh-from-the-city neighbors. They didn't know you could wash clothes in a foot tub using a toilet plunger as an agitator!)
1. One roll of each coinage.
2. $50 in ones
3. $50 in fives
4. $100 in tens
5. $400 in 20s
This money was kept at home in a fire proof safe. Got used twice, once during Hurricane Camille, and once during Hurricane Katrina.
God bless Rouse's Supermarket in Covington, La. They opened up after the storm. When they found out we had cash, we were escorted to the front of the line! The cashiers used adding machines. Prior to opening, sheets were prepared listing prices. It was slow, and people got grumpy, but Rouse's stayed open until they sold out. (We cashed in some of our change so they could continue serving customers.)
Fortunately, all we needed was laundry detergent. (God bless my fresh-from-the-city neighbors. They didn't know you could wash clothes in a foot tub using a toilet plunger as an agitator!)
I do not miss hurricanes!!!!!
Well, if we're talking just general emergency money then yes, I always have 3 100's tucked in the back of my wallet, at least 1,000 stashed at home, and then each bank account has at least 1,000 in savings plus whatever is in checking. The main savings account always has at least 10k earning 2% interest...when it grows enough anything over 10k goes into less liquid investments.
I also maintain zero balances on about 30k in credit cards that I use and pay off just enough to keep the accounts active. All bills that can be paid by card get paid by a rewards card then that card gets paid off each month with one big payment. Every bill is autopay so I don't have to bother with anything each month except the big payment once/month.
Well, if we're talking just general emergency money then yes, I always have 3 100's tucked in the back of my wallet, at least 1,000 stashed at home, and then each bank account has at least 1,000 in savings plus whatever is in checking. The main savings account always has at least 10k earning 2% interest...when it grows enough anything over 10k goes into less liquid investments.
I also maintain zero balances on about 30k in credit cards that I use and pay off just enough to keep the accounts active. All bills that can be paid by card get paid by a rewards card then that card gets paid off each month with one big payment. Every bill is autopay so I don't have to bother with anything each month except the big payment once/month.
The idea of once a month reconciliation of bills and accounts is not taught in schools. It is, however, something that those of us who have been in business recognize as vital to financial health. When you clear all accounts on a particular day of the month, examine where you are financially, and (when needed) suck wind, you have a realistic assessment of your situation. Staging money and resources is part of preps. I would share more, but that is too much information.
I had no idea how bad schools became since I went there until talking to my nephew currently in High School. All the courses that taught anything useful are gone: woods, metals, drafting, auto shop, greenhouse (agriculture), economics, home ec, etc. I was required to take a course called "personal finance" to graduate, now it's not even an OPTION.
They say its because of "budget cuts" but honestly I don't think that's the whole story. Schools now have 50% of employees in "administration" that never teach. When I was in school there were only a handful of "administrators" and we knew them all by name. In Hawaii there are actually more "administrators" than there are teachers. I don't know how that is even possible or have any idea what they can be doing other than paying union dues.
Let me repeat this over and over. After 35 years working for Florida Power & Light (now retired), having worked almost 100 storms (hurricanes, tornado's and others) from Texas to South Carolina over the years, both as a worker, foreman, supervisor and a home owner in Florida... I do not miss hurricanes. I'm prepared on a personal level at home, after all.... I gained a vast amount of hurricane prep knowledge over the years.
I will tell you my 5 gallon coin bottle ( plastic water cooler bottle) came in handy. Cash is essential for short term electrical outages. I carried $5000 for utility crew essentials when traveling to other states. Water and ice is usually free... after FEMA enters the area.
My longest time working an area without utility power was 10 weeks... by 14 days 98% have power back on.
If you have Facebook, here is something written by someone who is essentially unaffected by the fires in Sonoma County. She is just writing about what she sees.
I've always kept cash in the house for unexpected emergencies. Whether the power is off or on, cash is king. I know there are some businesses now that accept only electronic payment but if their power goes out, they probably close the doors anyway so nothing is being sold.
Most of the businesses that I dealt with after Hurricane Katrina would not take any bills over $20.00. We were without power for over a month. The only problem we encountered was a lack of meat. Next time, I will store more dried and canned meat.
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Emergency money
