the wherewithal; means; the money needed
Refers to the financial resources or practical means required to do something. Often used in the context of needing money before taking action.
To go on a trip, you first need the wherewithal.
Standard kanji spelling for this set phrase.
Kana spelling of the final element; common in everyday writing.
From 先立つ (sakidatsu, 'to precede, to go before') + 物 (mono, 'thing'), literally 'the thing that goes before', referring to money as a prerequisite.