Picture this: You are cruising through life, enjoying all the highs and tackling all the lows. In simple words, life is bliss. Then, suddenly, it hits you with a curveball. Whether it’s a surprise medical bill or losing your job, emergencies can come knocking at any point in your life, and you need a safety net to fall back on. And an emergency fund can be your fiscal superhero cape.
While saving up for an emergency fund is as exciting as watching the paint dry, an emergency fund will be the ultimate saviour in case of distress.
So, here is how to build up your financial guardian.
What is an emergency fund?
An emergency fund is the amount you should have in liquidity in case of any unforeseen emergency. Usually, this should be stored in options where quick withdrawals are possible. This stash of cash will be your plan B in case of any financial mayhem.
How to save for an emergency fund?
Financial discipline is essential when it comes to building an emergency fund. Many prefer to set aside a certain percentage of their monthly salaries for an emergency fund. In contrast, some prefer to set aside funds from other activities like online commodity trading or stocks. Although the method may vary, the ultimate goal is the same for all.
Where can you save your emergency funds?
Equally important is where to save your emergency funds. Ensure that the funds are kept in a place where withdrawals are instant. This can include savings accounts, short-term FDs and more. Although these instruments offer lower interest on your funds, they have the advantage of quick exits. This means you can access your funds whenever you need them without any waiting time.
How much emergency fund is enough?
If you are thinking to squirrel away for emergency funds, you must be wondering, “How much is enough?” This is perhaps the million-dollar question. Well, the answer isn’t entirely straightforward. Here is what you need to know.
The Goldilocks Dilemma
You don’t want your emergency fund to be too small, leaving you vulnerable to the financial wave, nor do you want it to be too big, where you lose out on the opportunity to invest it elsewhere. It is all about finding the Goldilocks zone or the sweet spot that is just the right amount.
The rule of thumb
If you ask any financial guru or shuffle across the millions of videos on YouTube on this same topic, most will throw around the idea of saving funds worth three to six months of living expenses. Some even suggest funds worth one year of living expenses.
Tailoring to your lifestyle
Your emergency fund should be as unique as your fingerprint. Consider factors like job stability, income, liabilities, and health to arrive at an ideal size. Since these cannot be the same for everyone, you will need to find out the right amount for your emergency funds.
Investing your emergency fund
While different investment instruments offer lucrative returns for your funds, emergency funds should always have high liquidity. Invest in savings accounts, short-term FDs, and debt assets. Explore the pros and cons of each option and decide if your emergency funds need a side gig.
Sprint vs Marathon
It is important to note that saving up for an emergency fund is more of a steady ordeal that one must partake in with all patience. It is not a sprint but a marathon; saving up for an emergency fund is about consistency. Slow and steady always wins the financial race.
Celebrate your wins
It is no simple feat to build an emergency fund, and having the right motivation can make all the difference. Celebrate all your wins, whether big or small. From reaching your first thousand to hitting the Goldilocks zone, each win should be the motivation for the next milestone. Remember, each penny saved is a victory against financial instability.
Ever heard the story of Joe, who thought he had everything figured out in life until he was fired from his job? Or of Anna, whose appendix had other plans? Well, real life is filled with countless examples that prove that an emergency fund is not just an optional luxury. It is a necessity, to say the very least.
The grand symphony of personal finance requires the delicate tune of an emergency fund to weather out any contingencies. It is not just about stashing away some cash in the hopes of using it in the future; it is more about building your family and yourself the ultimate financial fortress to shield from any unpredictable storms.
So, equip yourself with the right tools in your arsenal to find the sweet spot and let your financial cape flutter in the winds of financial security. After all, in the game of life, it does pay to have a money magician up your sleeve to fall back on.