Beyond Retirement Planning: In Case of Emergency

Credit cards aren’t a much better option. If you put that same $5,000 on a credit card with an average 19% annual interest rate and made minimum payments of $200 per month, you’d spend about the next 8 years paying back a total of $9,985 in interest and principal.

Importantly, you can gain some peace of mind from the financial breathing room that an emergency fund provides. Fisher Investments knows a financial emergency is almost certain to increase your stress levels, but knowing you can pay for that emergency may help relieve some of your financial anxiety.

And if you already have an emergency fund, but needed to tap into it recently, it’s also important to fully restock it so you’re ready for life’s next curveball.

Identifying an “Emergency”

Fisher Investments suggests taking a step back and considering what actually qualifies as an emergency.

A loss of income is definitely a financial emergency, whether it’s an unexpected early retirement, a job loss or time off to care for a family member. But emergency funds aren’t just for income interruptions. For other expenses, look for the three elements that can signify a financial emergency:

1. Unexpected – an expense you couldn’t see coming.
2. Urgent – an expense that needs to be handled right away.
3. Unavoidable – a situation where you’ve got no other choice.

If the situation meets all three criteria, Fisher Investments believes it’s probably a good use of your emergency fund. It might be anything from an unexpected vet bill or a medical emergency to last-minute travel to a family member’s funeral. A broken furnace in the middle of winter would qualify, but a great deal on a treadmill wouldn’t.

Tips for Building an Emergency Fund

1. Set Your Goal

Many financial experts recommend setting a goal of 3 to 6 months’ worth of expenses for your emergency fund. If it’s just you, three months’ might be enough. If you’ve got people depending on you, six months’ might be wise. If you’re in retirement and no longer earning a regular income or revenue, you might consider setting aside more—maybe up to 12 months’ of expenses.

But first, you’ll need to determine what that amount is. Fisher Investments suggests you start by totaling your expenses in a typical month. Focus on non-discretionary spending—the things you have to pay regularly: housing, bills, food and such. Then identify budget items you could shed if times get tight. You might even develop a “fallback budget” by determining what services you could cancel if you suffered a financial setback.

2. Put it in the Right Place

You’ll want your emergency fund somewhere safe and easily accessible. A high-yield savings account or a money market account would give you almost instant access to your money

Also, consider an account at an institution that’s separate from your primary checking account. Fisher Investments believes this separation could help you avoid the temptation of moving money to your checking account to spend on non-emergency items.

3. Make it a Habit

Once you’ve got an idea of how big your emergency fund needs to be and where you’ll put it, it’s time to start saving. Find a percentage of your regular take-home pay you can afford to set aside—5% to 10% would be ideal, but whatever your budget can handle is great. You can also give your emergency savings a boost from financial windfalls like bonuses, tax refunds or garage sales.

Fisher Investments suggests automating as much as possible to make the saving process easier on yourself. You might be able to set up a rule in your checking account to automatically transfer the 10% to a savings account. This removes conscious thought, and you’re less likely to be tempted by money that you didn’t really see in the first place.

4. Be Patient

Building an emergency fund is going to take some time—maybe even a few years. Don’t worry about saving the entire amount overnight. Start with smaller goals to keep yourself focused and motivated. Aim for $1,000 initially. Then $2,000.

Even on the way to your ultimate goal, your emergency fund can still help you avoid taking on expensive debt. Keep that positive saving mindset going even after you finally reach your emergency fund goal. Consider transitioning that 10% to other financial goals like funding an IRA to help boost your retirement savings.

and remember, if you have to dip into your emergency fund, restart the saving process to replenish it. That way, it’ll be ready when you need it next. 

Fisher Investments Can Help

Whether you have already retired or still have a few years to go, investing mistakes can be costly and jeopardize your comfortable retirement. Investing and retirement planning can also be emotionally challenging. The decisions you make can have a major impact on your financial future. If you’re interested in learning how Fisher Investments might be able to help you with your retirement investments, then contact us or download one of our educational investing guides today.