Emergency Funds

patrickblo13
patrickblo13 Posts: 831 Member
I know everyone's situation is different, but generally how much money do you think should be kept aside for emergencies?

Replies

  • km8907
    km8907 Posts: 3,861 Member
    edited September 2016
    Enough to cover 3-6 months of expenses is the general rule.
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  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Six months worth of expenses.
  • JustMissTracy
    JustMissTracy Posts: 6,338 Member
    EEk! We're supposed to put some aside!??!!

    Lost my job in July, luckily I had put aside three months worth....That's pretty much long gone already...lol...SAVE BIG my friends!
  • cee134
    cee134 Posts: 33,711 Member
    edited September 2016
    Save three to six months of basic expenses to avoid having an unnecessarily high level of reserves.

    To determine how much you should have in your emergency fund, identify your “core expenses,” which represent the amount you absolutely need to live on without going into additional debt. You don’t need to include discretionary spending — such as cash for hobbies, spa treatments or vacations — in this figure.

    https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/finance/debunking-5-emergency-fund-myths/
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    The moar the bettr.
  • gkingbr
    gkingbr Posts: 292 Member
    I am working toward a 6 month fund. I figure 6 months gives me time to find a decent job.
  • devilwhiterose
    devilwhiterose Posts: 1,157 Member
    I know how much should be set aside...I laugh because
    Motorsheen wrote: »
    I have a modest stash of Beanie Babies & WWF Action Figures.

    With their value.... well, I have no worries.

    +1 because you called them WWF and not WWE. #foreverwwf
  • Caporegiem
    Caporegiem Posts: 4,297 Member
    Motorsheen wrote: »
    I have a modest stash of Beanie Babies & WWF Action Figures.

    With their value.... well, I have no worries.

    I'll trade you an iPhone with flappy bird installed.
  • patrickblo13
    patrickblo13 Posts: 831 Member
    edited September 2016
  • Pathman1
    Pathman1 Posts: 52 Member
    What type of emergencies are you talking about? $5000 is enough to repair a car, replace a broken appliance at a house, and deal with a co-pay on a medical bill. Six months is always a good goal so you can handle a job loss. If you have another source of funds (e.g. spouse or parents) that can help you out you may not need as much. I personally carry disability insurance and have a very secure job so I don't need a full 6 months saved, but your situation may vary.
  • patrickblo13
    patrickblo13 Posts: 831 Member
    Pathman1 wrote: »
    What type of emergencies are you talking about? $5000 is enough to repair a car, replace a broken appliance at a house, and deal with a co-pay on a medical bill. Six months is always a good goal so you can handle a job loss. If you have another source of funds (e.g. spouse or parents) that can help you out you may not need as much. I personally carry disability insurance and have a very secure job so I don't need a full 6 months saved, but your situation may vary.

    I am thinking job loss but I am in your same boat. Plus my wife works and has a decent job so there would still be income flowing in if one of us lost our jobs.

  • Motorsheen
    Motorsheen Posts: 20,508 Member
    Caporegiem wrote: »
    Motorsheen wrote: »
    I have a modest stash of Beanie Babies & WWF Action Figures.

    With their value.... well, I have no worries.

    I'll trade you an iPhone with flappy bird installed.

    I already have 3 of those listed on Ebay

    .... just waiting for my ship to come in!
  • Motorsheen
    Motorsheen Posts: 20,508 Member
    I know how much should be set aside...I laugh because
    Motorsheen wrote: »
    I have a modest stash of Beanie Babies & WWF Action Figures.

    With their value.... well, I have no worries.

    +1 because you called them WWF and not WWE. #foreverwwf

    thanks?
  • tatilove1988
    tatilove1988 Posts: 330 Member
    Like everyone else said, 3-6 months, but I did mine for 6 months worth of expenses and still sometimes contribute any extra I have lying around, because sometimes it can take time to find a job (the right one).

    Emergency fun is a great idea, because it allows you to live stress free while out of a job without actually dipping into your personal savings.

    Good luck!!
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  • Timshel_
    Timshel_ Posts: 22,834 Member
    $10K
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  • km8907
    km8907 Posts: 3,861 Member
    Timshel_ wrote: »
    $10K

    Ugh this wouldn't last me a week. Strippers are expensive!!

    Maybe they'll accept coupons.
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  • km8907
    km8907 Posts: 3,861 Member
    km8907 wrote: »
    Timshel_ wrote: »
    $10K

    Ugh this wouldn't last me a week. Strippers are expensive!!

    Maybe they'll accept coupons.

    trust me... you don't want the ones that accept coupons

    Lower your standards. Gotta make the money last.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    edited September 2016
    When I was unemployed for 9 months in 2012, I was so glad I could afford to be choosy.

    I did go into that situation with no children, no debt, and low rent.
  • BarbaraJatmfp
    BarbaraJatmfp Posts: 463 Member
    I put aside 6 months but had to increase that amount because the cost of living went up so much. About 25% around here.
  • Motorsheen
    Motorsheen Posts: 20,508 Member
    Villae81 wrote: »
    I got a quarter a penny and some lint

    Lint can be quite valuable.

    That being said.....

    The older I get, the less I care about material stuff. Having a financial cushion is smart and is much preferable to owing a lot of gear that just weighs you down. Life is a journey; travel light.
  • Motorsheen
    Motorsheen Posts: 20,508 Member
    Villae81 wrote: »
    Motorsheen wrote: »
    Villae81 wrote: »
    I got a quarter a penny and some lint

    Lint can be quite valuable.

    That being said.....

    The older I get, the less I care about material stuff. Having a financial cushion is smart and is much preferable to owing a lot of gear that just weighs you down. Life is a journey; travel light.

    Wanna buy it? It's pretty light

    Sign me up for a kilo.

    You take coupons, right?
  • Motorsheen
    Motorsheen Posts: 20,508 Member
    Villae81 wrote: »
    Motorsheen wrote: »
    Villae81 wrote: »
    Motorsheen wrote: »
    Villae81 wrote: »
    I got a quarter a penny and some lint

    Lint can be quite valuable.

    That being said.....

    The older I get, the less I care about material stuff. Having a financial cushion is smart and is much preferable to owing a lot of gear that just weighs you down. Life is a journey; travel light.

    Wanna buy it? It's pretty light

    Sign me up for a kilo.

    You take coupons, right?

    Sorry just iou's

    Perfect

    It will be on a stained bar napkin written in either crayon or lipstick.
  • slimgirljo15
    slimgirljo15 Posts: 269,456 Member
    About $20000