When the card reader says "offline" for days, not minutes

What stops working

• Tap-to-pay, chip cards, and phone wallets at the register
• Self-checkout lanes and many app-based ordering systems
• Online payments for delivery, rideshare, and subscriptions
• Some transit gates and parking systems that only accept cards

What usually keeps working

• Cash, if you have it before the outage starts
• Your stored food, water, and supplies at home
• Local stores willing to run a cash-only line or keep a paper tab
• Radio broadcasts and printed information

First 24 hours

1. 1Stop depending on the card. Assume every purchase for the next few days needs cash.
2. 2Count what you have and split it: most stays home, a small amount goes in your wallet.
3. 3Keep small bills. Stores that stay open often can't break large notes.
4. 4Skip nonessential purchases so your cash lasts.
5. 5Check a battery radio or official local alerts for store and transit updates.

Days 2 to 7

• Eat from your home stock first, starting with what spoils fastest.
• Coordinate with neighbors. Swapping change and sharing information is often more useful than another trip out.
• Keep a written record of anything you pay for or owe. It matters when systems come back and charges post late.
• Refill prescriptions early if a pharmacy is taking cash, and talk to your clinician about a buffer before any outage.

Apartment notes

• Many buildings collect rent, laundry, or package fees digitally. Find out now what your building does when those systems are down.
• Keep cash somewhere that isn't obvious and isn't the first drawer by the door.

Buy / Borrow / Skip