what is uncle john saving the money for?

The Joad family was staying with Uncle John. Like most of the impoverished farmers Uncle John was saving enough money to travel to California. This included saving for an old jalopy that would take them there.

Uncle John is saving his five dollar bill(if that is what your referring to)so he can get drunk,but ends exchanging with Pa for a two one dollar bills.This is not from chapter 1.