Nicolas Allen

No one could have predicted with certainty how quickly the COVID-19 pandemic would change the lives of so many around the world. Fear of infection, stay-at-home orders and a rallying cry to help “flatten the curve” have drastically changed how people behave in their daily lives. In the face of so much uncertainty, the need to have an emergency fund – a tool that can help your family manage the financial fallout in the case of a job loss or other unwelcome impact – has come to the forefront.

What constitutes an emergency fund and why is it so important to have one, particularly in times like this? Here’s a primer.

Financial solvency matters. Financial experts generally encourage you to set aside three to six months’ worth of living expenses in an emergency fund. Without it, you are at risk of losing what you’ve worked hard to achieve if life throws a curve ball. A stash of funds can help you meet your monthly obligations, keep your credit report clean and preserve your way of life.

Put your priorities in order. An emergency fund deserves to be at the top of your list of financial priorities. Emergency reserves are designed to provide a safety net to prevent financial disaster. Saving for your retirement comes next, to help protect your financial future. Even better if you can save for both priorities at the same time. If you’re currently saving for your future, consider allocating a portion of monthly contributions to go toward an emergency fund. Once your emergency account is funded at a satisfactory level and you regularly contribute to a retirement account, you can start setting money aside for discretionary items such as new furniture, a vacation or a vehicle upgrade.

Set a goal. Determine how much you would need to stay afloat for an extended period of income disruption. At a minimum, how much would you need on hand to pay your bills and buy groceries each month if your paychecks stopped coming? Then multiply this amount by six.

Start where you can. If you don’t have a large chunk of money available to establish your emergency fund right now, don’t let it prevent you from starting an account and working toward your target. Any amount is a step in the right direction – even if that’s $50 or $500. If you don’t need your stimulus check to cover immediate cash expenses, use it to start or supplement your emergency fund. Your tax refund is another potential source of cash to grow an emergency fund. Revisit your current budget to see where you can trim expenses and put more into savings.

Create and stick to your guidelines. Your emergency fund should be reserved for times of financial crisis. It’s not an account to pay for life’s extras, however tempting that may be. With guidelines in place, you can avoid dipping into these funds unless necessary.

Keep emergency funds within safe reach. When uncertainty strikes, you may need money in a hurry. For this reason, emergency savings should be held in cash or easy-to-access investments like a money market fund. You also may want to open a dedicated interest-bearing savings account, potentially in a bank separate from your other accounts, to keep your emergency funds at a safe distance if you’re one who may be tempted to spend it.

Working with a knowledgeable financial advisor who understands your savings goals can help you prepare for unforeseen circumstances that can change your life and your family’s life in an instant.

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Nicolas Allen, CFP^® is a Private Wealth Advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in Fresno, CA. He specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 12 years. To contact him, consider http://www.ameripriseadvisors.com/nicolas.j.allen, (559) 490-7030 option 2, or 7433 N. First Street, Suite 102 Fresno, CA 93720.