3 Ice Creams and a Promise: Why I Carry Cash in L.A.
We were at the beach. The sun never showed up, but the vendors did like they always do. There was a woman pushing a cart across the sand, the cold fog barely clinging to her shoulders. And we had cash. So we bought three ice creams. No one planned it, but it felt right. The kind of quiet transaction that carries more than just flavor it carries respect.
I carry cash on purpose now. Because I don’t assume everyone can swipe. I don’t assume it’s safe for everyone to move freely. In Los Angeles especially now, with ICE raids and visible military presence. This isn’t just about buying a snack. It’s about acknowledging someone’s labor, their courage, and their right to be here.
Support doesn’t always look like protest. Sometimes it looks like eye contact. Like “thank you.” Like handing over a few bills for something small, knowing the moment is bigger. There’s a way to do this with dignity. And part of that, for me, is being prepared with the tools that make it easier to show up right.
What I Carry:
Mini cash stash bag: fits in any pocket, secure and subtle
Travel fanny pack: hands-free, easy to access, low-key profile
Insulated cooler bag, for when I want to carry extras
Mesh Beach Bag, perfect for sandy beach days
Three ice creams for the FormaFit Active Team, one shared moment, and a quiet promise: I’ll keep showing up for my city, even when it’s hard.
Some of these are affiliate links, that means if you grab something through my link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s one way to support the FormaFit journal while keeping your own bag ready to go.
More from FormaFit Active
El Diario Home: See El Diario’s home page to explore more
Read our Venice Beach diario entry
Check out our videos: Venice vibes, start to finish watch here
Some of my favorite stuff: Gear I Use
My Visor: It’s not merch, it’s how I move
Fuel the Journal: Your support keeps us moving
#FormaFit #sinlímites #SupportStreetVendors #stayready #LAstrong