Considerations for Emergency Savings

Building an emergency savings fund is a critical component of financial stability and security.

Key Reasons to Have an Emergency Savings

Unexpected Expenses: It helps cover unforeseen costs like medical emergencies, car repairs, or urgent home repairs without incurring debt.
Job Loss: It provides a financial cushion to support living expenses if you lose your job, giving you time to find new employment without financial stress.
Peace of Mind: Knowing you have a financial safety net reduces stress and allows you to handle emergencies calmly and confidently.

What is an emergency fund?

An emergency fund is a reserve of money set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, such as medical bills, car repairs, or job loss. It serves as a financial safety net, ensuring that you have readily available funds to handle unforeseen situations without having to rely on credit cards or loans. Financial experts typically recommend saving three to six months’ worth of living expenses in an emergency fund. This fund should be kept in a liquid, easily accessible account, such as a savings or money market account at a bank or credit union.

Why is it important to have an emergency fund?

Emergencies—from a car accident to a job layoff—are a fact of life. Emergencies are likely to happen when we least expect it. They are predictably unpredictable and can affect us personally and financially.

According to the Federal Reserve’s 2023 “Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Household,” 37% of adults said they would either borrow or sell something, or simply be unable to cover a $400 emergency expense. This statistic highlights the financial vulnerability of a significant portion of the U.S. population, underscoring the importance of having an emergency fund to handle unexpected expenses.[1]

How to build an emergency savings fund

Building an emergency savings fund is a critical component of financial stability and security. Here are some strategies tailored for average to affluent Americans to build and maintain a robust emergency fund:

1. Determine the Target Amount

3 to 6 Months of Expenses: For most people, an emergency fund should cover three to six months’ worth of living expenses. This includes rent/mortgage, utilities, groceries, insurance, and other essential costs.
Affluent Individuals: Those with higher incomes or more complex financial situations might aim for 6 to 12 months of expenses to account for higher spending levels and potential income variability.

2. Set a Realistic Savings Goal

Break It Down: Instead of focusing on the total amount needed, break it down into smaller, manageable monthly or bi-weekly savings goals.
Automate Savings: Set up automatic transfers from your checking account to a dedicated savings or money market account. This ensures consistent contributions without having to think about it.

3. Prioritize Emergency Fund Contributions

Budget Allocation: Treat your emergency fund contribution as a non-negotiable expense in your budget, like rent or utilities.
Cut Unnecessary Expenses: Review your budget to identify areas where you can cut back and redirect those funds toward your emergency fund.

4. Utilize Windfall and Bonuses

Tax Refunds: Direct your tax refund into your emergency fund.
Bonuses and Raises: Allocate a portion of any work bonuses or salary increases to your emergency fund.
Gifts or Unexpected Income: Any unexpected income can be a great opportunity to boost your emergency savings.

5. Optimize Your Savings Accounts

High-Yield Savings Account: Keep your emergency fund in a high-yield savings account to earn interest while maintaining easy access to your funds.
Money Market Accounts: These accounts may offer higher interest rates while providing liquidity for emergencies.
Avoid Investment Accounts: Emergency funds should be liquid and not subject to market risk, so avoid putting these funds into stocks, bonds, or other investments.

6. Reduce Debt

Pay Down High-Interest Debt: Reducing high-interest debt (i.e., credit card debt) can free up more money to contribute to your emergency fund.
Debt Snowball or Debt Avalanche Method(s): Use these methods to systematically pay down debt, which can then allow you to redirect those payments to your savings.
- The debt snowball method involves listing all your debts from smallest to largest balances, continuing to make minimum payments on all debts, and allocating any extra money towards the smallest debt until it is paid off.
- The debt avalanche method involves listing all of your debts from the highest to the lowest interest rate, continuing to make minimum payments on all debts and allocating any extra money towards the debt with the highest interest rate until it is paid off.

7. Supplement with Insurance

Health Insurance: Ensure you have adequate health insurance to cover medical emergencies.
Disability Insurance: Consider disability insurance to protect your income in case you are unable to work due to illness or injury.
Home and Auto Insurance: Be sure your home and auto policies provide sufficient coverage to avoid large, unexpected expenses.

8. Review and Adjust Regularly

Periodic Reviews: Regularly review your emergency fund savings and adjust your contributions as needed based on changes in your financial situation.
Replenish After Use: If you need to use your emergency fund, prioritize replenishing it as soon as possible.

Example Plan for an Average American Family

Monthly Expenses: $4,000
Emergency Fund Goal: $4,000 x 6 = $24,000
Monthly Savings Goal: $500 (to reach the goal in 4 years)
Automate Savings: Set up an automatic transfer of $500 per month to a high-yield savings account.

Example Plan for an Affluent American Family

Monthly Expenses: $10,000
Emergency Fund Goal: $10,000 x 9 = $90,000
Monthly Savings Goal: $1,500 (to reach the goal in 5 years)
Windfalls and Bonuses: Allocate 50% of any bonuses or unexpected income directly to the emergency fund to accelerate growth.

By following these strategies, you can systematically build a substantial emergency fund, providing peace of mind and financial security in the face of unexpected events.

[1] Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, “Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2023.” October 2023.

Author:

Michael Serrano
Vice President, Portfolio Manager
First American Trust

Michael has been in the financial services industry for 30-plus years and brings more than 18 years of experience in investment and portfolio management to his role as Vice President and Portfolio Manager.

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