Author: Mike Ross
An emergency can happen anytime. Job loss, medical problems, and natural disasters can leave us without a choice or access to helpful resources. While some people save regularly, others don’t have much to save at all. Start building an emergency fund now if you want to prepare for life’s inevitable surprises.
What is an Emergency Fund?
Emergency funds are money saved in a bank account for unanticipated costs, including medical bills, house, or car repairs. An emergency fund can also assist you in coping with a lack of income due to long-term sickness or job loss. Using money set aside for unforeseen expenses might lessen the need and costs of using high-interest credit cards or personal loans to pay for them.
Savings for Emergency Funds
An emergency fund should be able to sort you for three to six months, but it takes time to save that much money. Start modestly with your goals; try to save up to $10 daily can get you going. Then gradually increase your reserve until it can pay for costs for several months.
Your income and spending will determine your savings target. Instead of trying to replace all of your income, concentrate on having enough to pay costs.
Try to cover the next 9-12 months in an emergency fund. It will be helpful for those who run their own business or have unpredictable incomes.
Where to keep your emergency fund
Accessible high-yield savings account with a competitive interest is the best type of account to maintain your emergency cash. Look for banks and credit unions that have Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) or National Credit Union Administration deposit insurance (NCUA).
Unlike traditional banks, online banks often provide better returns and cheaper costs, making them attractive for emergency savings accounts.
Comparing savings rates and account features is crucial since fees can significantly reduce the amount in your emergency fund.
Furthermore, just because you’ve had an account for a while doesn’t mean you have to keep using it. According to a recent poll, consumers hold their savings accounts for an average of almost 17 years. However, suppose the existing account has monthly fees or a poor APY, opting for a new account with better terms of use may worth the trouble.
Tips to Help you Build an Emergency Fund:
- Determine your monthly expenses( accommodation, transportation, bills, and food bills)
- Cut down your expenses ( think about how much you spend every day, and avoid impulse purchases)
- Automate your savings (treat your savings like any monthly bill and automate money transfers into your savings account)
- Maximize interest ( save your money in a high-interest savings account, which offers a better rate than a standard checking or savings account )
Conclusion
Having an emergency fund can help you solve so many unpredictable circumstances. Even though it’s hard to get started, you should consider starting small, saving $10 daily, and keep the amount going. However, the sooner you start saving, the better prepared you will be for unexpected expenses.