Pay something quickly with a card, it's easy and convenient.
However, this is not possible if the power fails.
You should have cash at home.
Pull out the card in the supermarket or drugstore to pay for the purchase.
This has become normal.
More and more people are paying by card in shops – even if some citizens in Germany still use cash, a trend towards cards is foreseeable.
In a study, the
EHI Retail Institute
found that card payments account for around 58.8 percent of retail sales.
But what to do if card payment is not possible?
Read more about this here.
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The Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Control (BBK) advises having an “appropriate cash reserve” at home.
© Erwin Wodicka/Imago
Cash for emergencies vs. card payment
Technical problems that make card payment impossible can occur again and again.
This was the case most recently at the end of May – nationwide.
There was a problem with card payments – gas stations and supermarkets were among the affected.
At times it was only possible to pay in cash.
Now, in times of the energy crisis, citizens should be prepared for the possibility of power outages.
To ensure that you are prepared in emergency situations, the federal government has generally created various guides.
They should show you how best to prepare for an emergency and what you need.
By the way: If you like to pay by card, you should check the receipt.
The time before the euro: Who still knows these currencies?
The time before the euro: Who still knows these currencies?
Cash in the house: the Federal Office formulates vaguely
The Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) has summarized what needs to be considered if, for example, the power goes out in the "Guidebook for emergency preparedness and correct action in emergency situations".
In addition to food that can be prepared without electricity, you should also have money at home.
But how much?
The citizens are presented with a vague solution, because there is talk of "a sufficient cash reserve".
That is not specified.
The Upper Austrian civil protection gives the citizens of Austria a specific indication.
It says that every household should have a cash reserve at home – 500 euros in small bills are recommended.
Basically, you should make the amount of money dependent on how many people live in your household.
A family of five should therefore have more money at home than a single household.
It is important that you get by with the money for a few days.
Cash at home: You should find a safe place
If you have cash at home, you should find a safe place for it.
You should be able to access it directly in an emergency - but you should also hide the money in such a way that it cannot be found directly in the event of a possible break-in.
By the way: If you have a safe deposit box at your bank, don't rely on being able to access the contents in an emergency.
This will probably not work in the event of a power failure either.
List of rubrics: © Erwin Wodicka/Imago