"An emergency fund turns a crisis into an inconvenience."
Dave Ramsey
Ever needed to suddenly replace your boiler? Your washing machine? Your oven?
Ever worried about losing, or actually lost your job?
Ever need emergency dental work (eek!) or an urgent medical procedure?
Ever had a super high bill after a car service?
In my case, I can answer yes to all of those questions.
And without my emergency fund, the stress and worry of sorting out these things would have been overwhelming.
Unexpected events are a fact of life, right?
We all know that however prepared, sensible or super-duper organised we are, things can happen that we have no control over. And they can be stressful, and sometimes costly.
An emergency fund is a stash of cash, saved up and liquid (i.e. easily accessible), for when the sh*t hits the fan.
An emergency fund means that your emergency, becomes an inconvenience. Annoying, but manageable.
Think of an emergency fund like a cash cushion, ready to soften the below when an unexpected financial need crosses your path.
There is no hard and fast rule as to ‘how much’ should be in there. However, a good initial guide would be 3-6 months of your income stored away.
Here are my tops tips to create or maintain your emergency fund:
1. SET YOUR GOAL
Know the amount you are trying to reach, and stick to it
2. START SMALL
Make small, regular contributions
3. AUTOMATE
Set up a standing order directly to the fund every pay day
4. BE CREATIVE
Look for ways to boost income and cut expenses
5. REMEMBER
Remember why you want this & how great the benefits will feel
This cash comfort blanket has an amazing gift of reducing stress and worry, especially when something untoward happens.
It is there to support you.
What name would you choose?
Though the concept is awesome, I’m not a huge fan of the name ‘emergency’ fund. It feels a little bit scary and flashy-lighty to me.
I call mine a ‘chill’ fund.
I’ve heard other name such as a ‘freedom’ fund or the straight to the point ‘f*ck you’ fund (that one makes me giggle).
What would you call your emergency fund?
Let me know by commenting below. Or send me an email - I love to hear from you!
If this article has struck a cord with you, perhaps would like to understand more about emergency funds and how they can support you, please contact me for a free mini 121 to chat about ways I might be able to help.
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