re: Reasonable amount of cash to keep on hand?

I keep about $1000 in the safe at home. Its mostly twenties and hundreds but I need to break that down to more 5s and tens. We keep it for extended power outage / emergency situations like we had with the tornadoes a few years back.

I also keep $40 stashed in my boat. Just in case I forget my wallet when we ride down to the marina. I figure with that much I can at least buy enough gas to get home, or jsut buy the kids ice cream like I promised without having to go home and come back because I forgot to grab my wallet