By myhandsanitizershop September 30, 2025
Hand sanitizer isn’t just another bathroom accessory; it’s a portable infection-control tool that, when chosen and used correctly, meaningfully reduces the spread of many germs. But “safe” and “effective” aren’t guaranteed just because a bottle says “kills 99.9%.”
Understanding the science behind what makes sanitizer work helps you avoid weak formulas, skin-irritating additives, and misleading marketing—while steering you toward deals that actually deliver value.
At its core, alcohol-based sanitizers deactivate many germs by disrupting their outer layers. That action happens reliably only when the alcohol concentration is high enough and the rest of the recipe doesn’t dilute it with unnecessary fillers.
If you buy a bargain product that cuts corners, you’re not just wasting money; you’re trading protection for perfume and packaging.
There’s also a safety angle that matters as much as price. Some products—especially from lesser-known brands—have been found with contaminants like methanol or 1-propanol, which are not appropriate for hand rubs.
Others lean on quats (quaternary ammonium compounds) for a “non-alcohol” option; these can be valid in certain settings but often underperform compared to the gold standard: an alcohol content of about 60–95%. That range balances efficacy and practical evaporation so it doesn’t leave your hands wet forever or, worse, under-sanitized.
The best daily value often isn’t the cheapest sticker price—it’s the product that meets these criteria, comes in a size that matches your usage pattern, and offers refills to lower your unit cost over time.
Inflation, seasonal demand, and supply chain swings can nudge prices dramatically. If you’ve ever noticed sanitizer going from plentiful to scarce in a heartbeat, you’ve seen how quickly demand spikes—after an outbreak in your region, during back-to-school, or in the travel season.
Your strategy should account for these cycles with a plan: maintain a small buffer of supply, buy in bulk at realistic intervals, and know which retailers tend to drop prices during key promotions. And finally, safety doesn’t stop at the bottle.
Proper technique—enough product, covering all hand surfaces, and rubbing until dry—determines whether your purchase pays off. Buying smarter means buying once, using well, and staying healthy without overspending.
Active Ingredients That Actually Work: Ethanol vs. Isopropanol
The two workhorse alcohols in effective sanitizers are ethyl alcohol (ethanol) and isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol). Both can inactivate many bacteria and enveloped viruses when used at the right strength.
If you’re comparing deals, you’ll see common labels like “ethanol 70% v/v” or “isopropyl alcohol 75% v/v.” The “v/v” means volume/volume—a standard way to express concentration.
For day-to-day use outside clinical settings, products with ethanol between about 60% and 80%, or isopropanol between about 70% and 75%, are common and effective when used correctly.
Don’t fixate on tiny percentage differences like 70% vs. 72%—instead, make sure the product isn’t below 60% or suspiciously “alcohol-free” unless you specifically need a non-alcohol sanitizer and understand the tradeoffs.
Ethanol and isopropanol feel different. Ethanol formulas can seem lighter with a quicker evaporation profile; isopropanol can feel slightly oilier to some users but still evaporates quickly. Neither should leave heavy residue if the formula is balanced.
If you find a product that takes forever to dry, it might be overloaded with humectants, thickeners, or fragrances, or (worse) be under-strength in alcohol.
When searching for deals, look for straightforward formulations with one of these alcohols listed prominently as the “active ingredient,” followed by a clear percentage. Avoid vague labels that emphasize essential oils or “proprietary blends” without disclosing alcohol content.
From a budget perspective, the exact alcohol type is less important than transparency, concentration, and size options. Some manufacturers offer both ethanol and isopropanol lines at different price points.
If your skin tolerates both, let price per milliliter (mL) and availability guide you. However, isopropanol has a stronger smell that some people dislike; if you’re buying for a workplace, test small quantities first to ensure staff acceptance before committing to gallons.
Lastly, confirm that the lot/batch is traceable (via lot number) in case of recalls; reputable brands print this clearly. That detail, while boring, is part of real-world safety—and smart shoppers insist on it.
Additives, Fragrances, and Gels: What to Seek and What to Skip
Beyond alcohol, the rest of the formula shapes comfort and cost. Glycerin and other humectants help counter dryness—good for frequent users—while carbomer or hydroxypropyl cellulose create gel texture for easier dosing.
But too many extras can water down performance, raise the price, and increase the odds of irritation. Fragrances and dyes, for instance, are unnecessary for sanitation and often add a markup.
If you have sensitive skin, fragrances are frequent irritants; fragrance-free options are usually cheaper in bulk and friendlier to diverse workplaces, schools, and clinics.
“Moisturizing” claims can be legitimate, but check how they achieve it. A modest amount of glycerin is fine; a laundry list of botanicals can increase cost without improving safety.
Aloe is popular and can soothe, but if a product seems overly sticky or takes too long to dry, you may be paying for a feel that interferes with function. Also be cautious with “long-lasting” claims suggesting hours of protection.
Alcohol sanitizers work quickly but don’t persist for very long once they evaporate; such claims can hint at added antimicrobials that may irritate skin or contribute to resistance concerns.
From a savings angle, fewer additives usually mean lower cost and better compatibility across many users. Choose clear, fragrance-free, dye-free formulas for the best cost-to-utility ratio.
If you want a satisfying handfeel, compare a couple of small bottles before buying gallon jugs or case packs. Once you find a formula that dries quickly, doesn’t sting, and leaves minimal residue, lock in value by purchasing larger refills and using small, reusable dispensers.
Where—and When—to Find the Best Hand Sanitizer Deals
Not all retailers price sanitizer the same way, and prices swing with seasonality. Big-box stores often run quarterly promotions tied to back-to-school, major holidays, and spring cleaning. Warehouse clubs can offer predictable everyday low pricing, especially on multi-packs and gallons, but they may carry fewer brands.
Drugstores, which often have higher shelf prices, can still be a gold mine when stacking coupons with buy-one-get-one (BOGO) offers or loyalty points. Online marketplaces have the broadest selection, but you’ll need to watch unit prices, shipping fees, and third-party sellers.
Timing matters. Prices tend to dip after peak demand periods: shortly after the winter respiratory season winds down, in the lull following back-to-school, and during spring cleaning promotions.
Keep a lightweight tracking habit—save receipts or note per-mL prices in your phone—to recognize when a price is genuinely good.
Sign up for retailer newsletters and manufacturer alerts; many brands push coupon codes during warehouse clear-outs and package redesigns. Don’t overlook office-supply stores either; they frequently discount hygiene items at quarter-end or end-of-fiscal-year to move inventory.
Buying in bulk can be a huge money saver if you have a plan to use or share the inventory before it ages past peak performance. Alcohol content can slowly drop if containers are poorly sealed; minimizing partial, long-open bottles and storing cool and sealed extends value.
Neighborhood co-ops, PTAs, and small businesses can split case packs to grab bulk pricing without any one buyer carrying the full cost.
Finally, keep an eye on “subscribe & save” programs that let you lock a discount for a recurring shipment—just set the cadence conservatively so you’re not overstocking. You can always pause or skip a shipment once you’ve built a modest buffer of supply.
Seasonal Promotions, Overstocks, and Travel Windows
Retail calendars are predictable if you know what to watch. In late summer, back-to-school drives bundles on wipes, tissues, and sanitizers—often with cross-category coupons. After the school rush, many stores mark down overstock through early autumn.
Heading into winter, promotions spike again as retailers push cold-season hygiene. Post-holiday (January), clearance events can unload gift-pack-style sanitizers at steep discounts—great for desk bottles and car kits.
Travel seasons add windows for deals. Airports and travel shops typically price high, but mainstream retailers anticipate demand with portable sizes, multipacks, and TSA-friendly bundles.
If you travel occasionally, stock up well in advance during a good sale and refill your 30–60 mL flip-tops from a bulk bottle. Overstocks happen when manufacturers update packaging or scents; these “old label” lots are a smart buy if the expiration date is reasonable.
Remember: alcohol doesn’t “expire” like food, but the package’s seal integrity and additive stability matter. You want plenty of runway on the date so your handfeel and performance stay consistent.
Online vs. Brick-and-Mortar: Price-Match and Unit-Price Smarts
Online marketplaces give you transparency, but they also add noise. A third-party listing may tout a “deal” that’s actually overpriced once you convert to cost per mL. Always compute the unit price and compare across sizes; sometimes the “family size” is worse value than a twin-pack of mediums.
Watch for shipping fees and subscribe-and-save discounts that only apply to first deliveries. Many big retailers will price-match their own online listings in store—use that, especially during a local store’s clearance window, to double-dip on savings.
Brick-and-mortar excels when you need to verify bottle quality, check seals, and feel the gel texture before committing. You can also spot manager’s specials, end-cap markdowns, and loyalty-only flash deals.
The hybrid strategy works best: sample in store with coupons, then commit to bulk online once you’re confident in the formula and dispenser compatibility. If a retailer offers curbside pickup, you can combine online-only discounts with local fulfillment to avoid shipping charges, shrinking the unit price even further.
Smart Buying: Unit Economics, Sizes, and Refill Strategies
The fastest way to overspend on sanitizer is to ignore unit cost. Convert everything to price per milliliter (or per ounce): divide the package price by the total volume. A $6, 236 mL (8 oz) bottle costs about 2.54 cents per mL; a $25, 1-L bottle costs 2.5 cents per mL—almost the same.
But if the liter is part of a buy-two-save-10% promo, your effective cost drops below 2.3 cents per mL. Stack a manufacturer coupon, and you’re suddenly paying warehouse prices without a membership. Always run the numbers; small differences add up over months of use.
Sizes matter for waste, too. Tiny travel bottles are convenient but expensive per mL; treat them as containers you refill from bulk, not primary purchases. Pump bottles (300–500 mL) live well on desks and sinks; pair them with 1–4 liter refills to minimize plastic and cost.
Wall-mounted dispensers are great for offices and schools but require compatible viscosities; gels and thin liquids don’t always work in the same unit. Before you buy a case of refills, confirm the viscosity spec for your dispenser model or choose a universal pump-top that handles a range of gels.
Consider your household or workplace usage rate. A family might use 30–50 mL per person per week during high-transmission seasons; an office lobby could go through a liter every week. If you regularly run out, you’re probably buying too small.
If half-used bottles linger for months, you may be overbuying. The sweet spot is enough stock to last through a promotion gap—say, 6–10 weeks—without risking stale bottles or changing preferences. Buying to unit economics, not label hype, is what consistently lowers your total spend.
Unit-Price Math You’ll Actually Use—and a Refill Blueprint
Here’s a simple playbook for the math-averse: choose a target unit price for your preferred formula (e.g., ≤ 2.2 cents per mL for a fragrance-free 70% ethanol gel). Each time you see a “deal,” divide price by volume.
If it’s above your target, skip unless stacking coupons pushes it lower. Track three to five good products so you can pivot when one goes out of stock. Keep two travel bottles per person and one mid-size pump at each sink or desk; refill weekly from a bulk container to limit mess and spillage.
When refilling, use a small funnel and label each travel bottle with the product brand and lot number using painter’s tape or a waterproof marker. This quick step matters if a recall occurs. Store your bulk container tightly closed in a cool, shaded place; reseal immediately after pouring to minimize evaporation.
If you’re managing a workplace, standardize on one or two SKUs to simplify reordering, and pick containers with tamper-evident caps. Finally, keep a spare pump head or two; they’re the first thing to fail, and replacing a pump is far cheaper than tossing a half-full bottle.
Stretch Your Budget Without Compromising Safety
“Saving money” should never mean buying a sanitizer that doesn’t meet basic safety and efficacy benchmarks. The simplest guardrail: stick with alcohol-based products clearly labeled with active ingredient and percentage, ideally fragrance-free, and from a supplier with a lot of traceability.
From there, layer on savings tactics that don’t alter the product: bulk purchasing, refill routines, loyalty programs, and subscription discounts you control. Don’t be seduced by novelty shapes, strong perfumes, glitter, or themed packaging—these typically add cost while complicating usage in professional settings.
If your skin gets dry, it’s tempting to switch to “alcohol-free.” Instead, try pairing a solid, no-fragrance, 70% alcohol sanitizer with a plain, non-greasy hand cream applied at different times of day.
You’ll retain proven sanitizing power and still protect your skin barrier. For children or sensitive users, seek fragrance-free and dye-free formulas and supervise technique rather than replacing alcohol with weaker activities.
Remember that soap and water is an excellent—and cheap—alternative when available; reserve sanitizer for on-the-go or between handwashes. Leveraging soap at home while saving sanitizer for outside can halve your sanitizer spend without reducing hygiene.
Coupons and rebates are plentiful, but read the fine print: some deals apply only to specific sizes or limit the number per transaction. Stack manufacturer coupons with store loyalty rewards, and don’t forget cash-back apps.
If you run a small business, ask suppliers for case pricing or negotiated contracts, especially if you can commit to a consistent monthly volume. Even a 5–10% discount compounded over a year makes a meaningful dent in costs.
DIY? Why That Viral Recipe Isn’t a Good “Deal”
Homemade sanitizer recipes pop up whenever prices rise, but they carry real risks. Accurately measuring alcohol concentration is tricky without proper tools, and many household ingredients absorb water or alter viscosity in ways that reduce the effective alcohol percentage.
Essential oils add scent but not reliable antimicrobial power, and some can irritate skin or trigger allergies. There’s also contamination risk if your mixing equipment isn’t sterile, and the thickening agents people use (like aloe gels) vary wildly by brand and batch.
All of this can yield a product that feels “right” but doesn’t sanitize effectively—false security is the most expensive mistake of all.
Instead of DIY, channel that frugality into smarter purchasing. Buy a trusted bulk sanitizer that lists the alcohol percentage and has a lot number, then decant into small bottles for convenience.
If you crave a gentler feel, look for commercial formulas that pair the correct alcohol strength with minimal humectants. If scent matters, choose a light, hypoallergenic fragrance version from a reputable brand—but keep a fragrance-free base for workplaces and schools.
The “deal” you want is guaranteed efficacy plus comfort, not a home experiment that saves pennies but compromises safety.
Reading Labels, Verifying Safety, and Avoiding Red Flags
A safe, effective sanitizer tells you exactly what it is. Look for: (1) the active ingredient (ethanol or isopropanol) with a clear percentage, (2) an inactive ingredient list that’s short and familiar (water, glycerin, carbomer/hydroxypropyl cellulose, neutralizer), (3) a lot/batch number and manufacturer name, and (4) contact details or a website.
Avoid products that hide the percentage, lean on marketing fluff (“nano-silver,” “miracle shield”), or showcase perfume notes more than the formula. If the label emphasizes “alcohol-free” without a strong alternative use-case, consider it a specialty item rather than a general replacement.
Packaging can be a tell: flimsy caps, leaky seals, and generic bottles that resemble drink containers are all red flags—especially around kids. Choose child-resistant caps where possible and avoid containers that look like food or beverage packaging.
If buying online, scrutinize product photos and seller ratings, and prefer “Ships from and sold by” the retailer or the manufacturer’s official store to reduce counterfeit risk. When in doubt, check the brand’s website for authorized retailers. A quick five-minute background check on the manufacturer can save you from subpar or unsafe products.
Finally, treat recall and safety notices seriously. Keep receipts or order confirmations and don’t mix different products in the same bottle; you’ll lose traceability.
If a product smells off (strong solvent odor not typical of ethanol/isopropanol, or a sweet chemical smell), separates visibly, or causes unusual stinging or redness, stop using it and contact the manufacturer. Buying smart is also using common sense—safe products are consistent from bottle to bottle.
Recalls, Regulatory Lists, and How to Check Them Quickly
Regulatory agencies periodically publish recalls for sanitizers with improper alcohol content or contamination (like methanol). Before stocking up, take two minutes to search for the brand plus “recall” and skim recent results.
Keep your lot number handy. If you’re managing supplies at work or school, put a simple monthly check on your calendar: confirm your stocked brands haven’t been flagged, and rotate inventory so the oldest bottles get used first.
Many reputable brands maintain quality pages with batch verification via QR code or lot number lookup. Use them. For high-volume environments—clinics, salons, food service—build this verification into onboarding so buyers always check a new supplier before ordering cases.
In the long run, staying with a small roster of vetted brands reduces the chance of a surprise recall disrupting your operations or forcing you to discard inventory at full cost.
Storage, Shelf Life, and Technique: Protecting Your Investment
Even the best deal loses value if you store sanitizer poorly. Alcohol evaporates; heat and sunlight accelerate it. Keep bulk containers tightly sealed, upright, and away from direct sun, ideally in a cool room or cabinet.
Don’t leave pump bottles in hot cars for extended periods; temperatures swing wildly and can loosen caps, causing slow evaporation or leaks. Label the date you opened a bulk container and aim to use it within a reasonable window (often 12–24 months for unopened products; sooner once opened).
Check scent and feel periodically; a suddenly watery consistency or significantly weaker alcohol smell can signal evaporation.
Technique matters as much as formula. Use enough product to wet all hand surfaces—palms, backs, between fingers, and thumbs—and rub until fully dry (usually 20–30 seconds).
If your hands are visibly dirty or greasy, sanitizer works less effectively; wash with soap and water instead. Teach kids the “cover everything” rule and supervise until they have the habit.
In workplaces, post simple pictograms near dispensers to reinforce good technique without needing long text. Your bottle goes further when each application is effective, reducing the need for extra pumps and repeat applications.
Finally, match dispensers to locations. In high-traffic areas, touch-free wall units reduce waste from over-pumping, but they need compatible viscosity and reliable batteries. At desks, a small pump with a short stroke delivers consistent doses.
In vehicles, flip-top travel bottles are less leaky than pumps and easier to control. The right hardware turns a good price per mL into a good price per use—which is what your budget actually feels.
Dispensers, Refills, and Small-Space Setups That Make Savings Stick
For homes, one 300–500 mL pump at each sink and entrance, plus travel bottles, usually covers needs. Refill weekly from a 1–4 L container to keep tops clean and minimize contamination.
For small offices, place touch-free dispensers at main entries and kitchens, then desk-sized pumps in shared areas. Standardize your refill type (gel vs. liquid) so all devices play nicely.
If you’re switching brands, test for clogging or stringiness; a clogged nozzle wastes product and time. Keep spare pumps and a maintenance routine (wipe threads, flush nozzles with warm water occasionally) so you don’t toss usable bottles.
Eco-Friendly and Sensitive-Skin Choices—Without the Premium Price
You can buy responsibly without overspending. Fragrance-free, dye-free formulas are often cheaper and better for sensitive users. Refill systems reduce plastic waste and usually lower unit cost.
If a brand offers concentrated refills designed to be diluted to a specified percentage, follow directions exactly and confirm the final alcohol strength meets standards; if not crystal clear, skip the concentrate.
Pair sanitizer with frequent handwashing using a gentle, unscented soap to reduce cumulative dryness. A small, fragrance-free moisturizer can repair your skin barrier, allowing you to stay with cost-effective alcohol formulas rather than paying premiums for “ultra-gentle” niche lines.
When comparing “natural” products, prioritize transparency over marketing. A short ingredient list with clear alcohol percentage beats plant-heavy labels that obscure the active.
If a premium eco brand has stellar unit prices during clearance, stock up—but verify dates and seals. Ultimately, eco-friendly and budget-friendly overlap around minimal formulas, refill programs, and durable dispensers you’ll use for years.
FAQs
Q.1: What alcohol percentage should I choose, and does a higher percentage always mean better protection?
Answer: Great question. In everyday use, the sweet spot for alcohol-based hand sanitizers is roughly 60–95% alcohol by volume, with many consumer products landing around 70%. Below 60%, efficacy drops off, particularly against certain germs.
Above the mid-90s, products can evaporate so quickly that contact time suffers, and some formulas can feel harsh on skin. That means “more” isn’t automatically “better.” What you want is a balanced formula that stays wet long enough to cover all surfaces and dry in about 20–30 seconds.
From a savings perspective, there’s no financial advantage to chasing the absolute highest percentage if it doesn’t improve real-world performance.
Your money goes further with a transparent, well-balanced formula at ~70% ethanol or ~70–75% isopropanol that you actually like using. You’ll apply it correctly and consistently, which is what delivers both protection and value.
Q.2: Are alcohol-free hand sanitizers good deals or false economies?
Answer: Alcohol-free products can have a place for people with specific sensitivities or in niche settings, but they’re not typically the best “deal” for most households. Many rely on alternative activities that can be less broadly effective in everyday scenarios, and some carry higher per-mL prices.
If you’re considering them due to dryness or smell, try a plain alcohol formula paired with a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer at different times of day. You retain proven germ reduction and usually spend less overall.
Also, watch for “long-lasting” claims not backed by clear evidence. Alcohol sanitizers work quickly but don’t linger for hours. If a non-alcohol product leans on persistence claims, read the fine print and consider whether that justifies a price premium.
For most people, soap and water at home plus a standard alcohol-based sanitizer on the go is the most cost-effective, reliable combo.
Q.3: How can I tell if an online sanitizer “deal” is actually safe and not counterfeit?
Answer: Start with the basics: the listing should clearly state the active ingredient and percentage, show the back label, include a lot/batch number on the packaging, and identify the manufacturer.
Prefer listings sold by the retailer itself or by the brand’s official store to avoid third-party counterfeits. Check recent reviews specifically for packaging quality and scent/texture consistency; red flags include chemical odors, watery feel, or leaky seals.
Then verify the brand’s website for authorized sellers and, if available, batch lookup tools. Keep your order confirmation and don’t decant into unmarked bottles; traceability is your safety net in case of a recall. Counterfeits tend to hide or blur these details. A “deal” without transparency isn’t a deal—skip it.
Q.4: Is bulk buying always cheaper, and how do I avoid waste?
Answer: Bulk buying usually lowers unit price, but it only pays off if you actually use the product before quality declines. Alcohol can evaporate slowly through poorly sealed caps, especially in heat.
If you don’t go through sanitizer quickly, favor mid-size refills (1–2 L) rather than huge drums. Store tightly sealed containers in a cool, shaded area and note the opening date to keep rotation disciplined.
Adopt a refill routine: keep small travel bottles and desk pumps, topping them off weekly from your bulk supply using a funnel.
This minimizes repeated opening/closing of the big container and reduces spills. If you’re a small business, consider pooling orders with neighboring shops to hit bulk tiers without sitting on excess inventory.
Q.5: My hands get dry and irritated. What’s the most affordable way to stay protected?
Answer: Stick with a simple, fragrance-free alcohol sanitizer at the correct strength and pair it with a plain, unscented moisturizer—applied at a different time than the sanitizer to avoid diluting it.
Look for lotions with glycerin, ceramides, or petrolatum if your skin barrier needs repair. This approach is cheaper than chasing boutique “ultra-gentle” sanitizers that often cost more per mL and may still underperform or irritate due to added fragrances.
You can also switch textures: some people tolerate thin liquid rubs better than thick gels (and vice versa). Buy small sizes of a couple formulas to see what your skin prefers, then commit to bulk once you’ve found your match. A few dollars of testing can save you from shelves of half-used bottles.
Q.6: Are those cute, scented pocket sanitizers a smart buy?
Answer: They’re convenient and fun, but often expensive per milliliter, and fragrances can irritate skin or bother people in close quarters.
Treat them as reusable containers rather than primary purchases: buy one you like, then refill from a fragrance-free bulk product that meets alcohol guidelines. This way you keep the convenience while paying a fraction of the per-mL price.
For schools and workplaces, neutral formulas are safer choices to avoid allergy and fragrance-sensitivity issues. If you must use scented options, keep them personal and away from communal spaces.
The best “deal” is one product that serves most people well—fragrance-free, dye-free, with clear labeling.
Q.7: What’s the correct technique so I don’t waste products?
Answer: Dispense enough sanitizer to cover all hand surfaces—about a coin-sized pool for average hands—and rub it over palms, backs, between fingers, fingertips, and thumbs for 20–30 seconds until completely dry.
If you need a second pump because your hands are larger or feel dry too quickly, that’s okay—better one effective application than two ineffective ones. If your hands are visibly dirty or greasy, use soap and water first; sanitizer isn’t designed to cut heavy grime.
Place dispensers where you naturally pause—by doors, at desks, near kitchen areas—so you’re not “double-pumping” out of forgetfulness.
In shared spaces, consider touch-free dispensers calibrated to deliver a measured dose. Technique and placement are invisible money savers because they reduce wasted pumps.
Conclusion
Saving money on hand sanitizer doesn’t mean compromising on safety or performance. The winning formula is simple: choose an alcohol-based product with a clearly stated percentage (typically around 70%), minimal additives, and solid labeling; verify the brand and lot information; and buy in sizes that match your real-world use so you can refill smaller bottles without waste.
Time purchases around seasonal promotions, stack coupons and loyalty rewards, and standardize your dispensers so everything you buy actually gets used.
Pair sanitizer with regular handwashing and simple skin-care habits, and you’ll cut costs while maintaining reliable protection. In short, the best deal is the bottle that you trust, use correctly, and can afford to keep on hand—today and every day.