Let's start with the basics. What is an emergency fund? An emergency is just that…money set aside for emergencies. I know…seems so simple, right?
Life happens. Someone gets sick. The car breaks down or needs new tires. Your roof leaks. Your washer finally bit the dust. Your hours at work get cut. You get the picture. So, what happens when one of those things happen? How are you going to pay the bill?
Do you have a plan in place? Are you going to grab your credit card, pay the bill and then just pay the monthly minimums (which then accrues all of that interest)? Borrow from a friend or your parents?
What if…stay with me here…you had saved money. Saved money for those emergencies in life. What if you had the CASH to:
Pay that bill?
Pay the rent or mortgage?
Buy food for your family?
Make the repair without thinking twice?
NOT put the charge on your credit card?
Would that take the pressure off of well…everything?
I am a BIG time advocate for an emergency fund.
I have lived my life with plenty…and sometimes with nothing. When my husband did not receive a pay check for 15 months we were not stressed. We had the cash. We paid all of our essentials from our emergency fund.
So, how big should your emergency fund be?
First, lets start with what I consider an emergency:
Car repair
Medical bill
Home repair that can't wait
Appliance repair
Paying your rent/mortgage
Buying food for yourself and your family
Now, let's go to what an emergency fund is NOT:
Flat screen TV on sale
Manicure/pedicure/hair
New clothes or shoes (Unless your baby has outgrown them)
Vacation
Home renovation
Fancy food and snacks
Kids activities
Every single channel on your Direct TV package
Basically, an emergency fund is to only be used for essentials. Anything you can live without…is not an emergency.
I created a worksheet for you. It includes the how-to's, calculators and trackers. Go on and grab it!
How to calculate how much you need –
Simple math.
Make a list of your mandatory expenses:
Rent/mortgage
Utilities
Food
Insurance Payments
Debt, Loans, credit cards, etc
Insurance Premiums
And then make a list of your discretionary expenses:
Food
Pet care
Car gas/Transportation expenses
Assign a $ amount to each. Add them up – that is what you need each month…in case of an emergency.
Multiple that $ amount by 6 months. That is what you have saved if you needed to pay your bills for 6 months. Once you get to your 6 months…tack on 3 more. With what is happening in the world today…9 months with limited or no income could be a high probability.
Yes, in order to save for an emergency fund you need to cut back on today's spending. Is it worth it? I am 100% positive it is. Ask anyone who has lost their job. How would having an emergency fund saved them from all the stress and trauma of not being able to pay their bills.
I have tons of posts about budgets and money. Check them out HERE.
Now, sometimes life can get pretty overwhelming, right?
And sometimes, when you are overwhelmed, stress sets in.
And when stress sets in it is sometimes difficult to be happy or joyful. So, please don’t let stress have the last word!
Go on and take a look at the ‘Top 5 Stress Reducers’ (Action Plan included). So that you can eliminate what causes you stress and get on the path of living a joyful life.
What is Joyful Living all about?
Joyful Living is ALL about not letting let the circumstances of YOUR life determine who you really are. You learn to choose YOU instead! Not sure how to do that? Let me help!
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My 2022 Holiday Planner is just what you need to keep organized and on top of things during this busy season. And, it's FREE.
INCLUDED - My Party Planner! Put your party hat on and plan with confidence! Grab yours before they are gone!
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