The Cost of Leaving

In this episode of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby breaks down the true price of leaving when disaster strikes, from hotel surcharges and missed work to hidden costs that drain your wallet fast. Learn why cash is king in a crisis, how to budget evacuation into your preparedness plan, and why money in the bank can be just as vital as gear in your bag. Plus, take today’s challenge to start an evacuation fund you can count on when it matters.

Episode Transcript

(03:18):
Why don't you think about what evacuation really looks like?
Two nights in a hotel at surge rates.
Three meals a day, eating out, gas refills that cost more with every stop.
Then there are the hidden costs.
Missed days at work, lost business income, paying for boarding pets,
or replacing spoiled food when you return.

(03:38):
The numbers add up really fast. And as the wallet gets lighter, stress builds.
The financial pressure becomes its own layer of crisis.
That's why evacuation isn't just about miles on the map. It's about money in the bank.
At Amcon, we believe financial resilience is preparedness.
If you've built a cash buffer, you can focus on safety, not swiping cards and hoping they'll clear.

(04:04):
Cash is king in a crunch.
ATMs will empty quickly, credit card networks can lag, or just won't work.
But bills and coins, they still work when nothing else does.
Having ready cash on hand can be the difference between a smooth transition
and a desperate scramble.
And just like your budget for gear, food, or training, you need to budget for evacuation.

(04:30):
Treat it as a line item in your preparedness plan. Build an emergency fund earmarked for displacement.
That way, when the call comes to leave, you already know you can afford the
journey without the added crisis of financial panic.
Think about it this way. Gear gets you through the night, but money gets you through the week.

(04:52):
So here's today's action step. I want you to start or top up your evacuation fund this weekend.
Take $20. I don't care if it's just a single $20 bill.
Take $20, $30, $50, whatever you can spare and set it aside in actual cash.
Put it in an envelope, tuck it in a safe, secure spot that you can reach quickly.

(05:14):
That small step builds a reserve that you can add to over time.
And when the day comes that you need to leave, that envelope of cash can make
the difference between scraping by and moving with confidence.
Preparedness isn't just about what you pack. It's also about what's in your pocket.
Tomorrow, we're going to talk about the return home and why recovery planning

(05:37):
should start before you ever leave.
As always, thanks for listening to the AMCON Daily Brief.
I appreciate it. I hope you're getting something valuable out of this.
If you are already an AMCON member, make sure and check out the updates and
resources on the members-only platform.
And if you're not a member yet, it's super simple. Just head over to AmericanContingency.com

(06:00):
and join the network to start building real resilience today.
My name's Tom Rigsby. Stay alert, stay ready, and I will talk to you again tomorrow. Thank you.