How To Build An Emergency Fund

How To Build An Emergency Fund
Adulting 101:

The Importance of Emergency Fund

The amount of money that is put into your emergency saving fund will vary depending on income, lifestyle, and monthly cost. At least 3 to 6 months’ worth of expenses should be saved and put away in a high-yeild savings account.

Emergency expenses examples:

  • Car and home repairs

    • Unexpected car repairs such as flat tires or needing a new refrigerator can be expensive.

  • Job loss 

    • An emergency fund can help you pay for rent, mortgage, utilities, etc. 

  • Medical emergencies

    • If you all of a sudden need to go to the hospital or need emergency dental care that can not be put off you could make money from your emergency fund to pay for it.

  • Family emergencies

  • Unexpected travel

  • Moving expenses

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A savings account is different from an emergency fund because an emergency fund is only used in cases of true emergencies. Things that you would use your savings accounts for would be an upcoming vacation, a new phone, or new shoes. Ways to start saving for your emergency fund include cutting unnecessary expenses, tax refunds, side hustles, saving your pocket change, and or adjusting your current budget. 

  • Tax Refund

    • With the extra money you get back in your tax refund you can put towards your emergency fund.

  • Cutting Unnecessary Expences

    • Cutting back on extra things that you don’t need will allow you to have more cash.

  • Side Hustle

    • Having a side hustle that you can earn money from will allow you to have extra cash that you can put towards your emergency fund.

  • Saving Pocket Change

Start saving your pocket change in a jar you will see how quickly all that loose change can add up.

  • Adjusting Current Budget

    • If your current budget doesn’t allow you to put enough money in your emergency fund then should look at adjusting your current budget.

What is a high-yeild savings account?

A high-yield savings account is the best place to keep your emergency fund. High-yield savings account are known for helping people grow their money faster. The interest rates on a high-yield savings account can be 25% times high than traditional savings accounts. The key things to look for when opening a high-yield savings account are minimum balance requirements, account fees, and interest rates.