23 Tips To Build Your Emergency Fund

Prepare For Uncertain Times With 23 Tips To Build Your Emergency Fund

Cameron Huddleston    Mon, July 12, 2021,

A shocking 69% of Americans have under $1,000 in savings, according to a 2019 GOBankingRates survey. That lack of emergency funds leaves people ill-prepared for financial emergencies.

Right now, many people are experiencing tremendous income insecurity because the coronavirus pandemic was declared a worldwide pandemic in March 2020. Many people have lost jobs, been furloughed or taken pay cuts as a result.

To make sure you’re financially covered in situations as extreme as this or for even less extreme situations like if you need to make a home repair, it’s a good idea to have a comfortable savings account that’s earmarked for emergencies. To help you reach this goal, follow this step-by-step guide to create an emergency fund.

Plan For 3 to 6 Months of Savings

Whether you’re just starting to save money now or you’ve been saving for some time, consider setting a minimum goal of three to six months’ worth of emergency funds to cover as many expenses as possible. From mortgage or rent to food and utilities, your monthly expenses add up, and it takes time to build up that extra cash.

Assess Your Spending

You can’t start saving until you know how much money you spend and, more importantly, what you spend it on. Write down your monthly income, then list everything on which you spend money during the month. Include essential recurring expenses like your mortgage or rent payment and child care.

Don’t forget the fun stuff — like how much goes toward eating out, catching the latest movie or keeping up with the latest fashion trend. Optional items and impulse buys are prime spots from which you can divert money into your rainy day fund.

Use an Interest- or Dividend-Bearing Account for Your Savings

Emergency cash should be liquid in case you need to access it. Don’t put the money at risk because the possibility of losing it negates the purpose of building up a reliable emergency money source.

You won’t want to put your emergency savings in the stock market, but instead, put the money in a high-yield, interest- or dividend-bearing account, and watch your money grow safely.

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