Do you have a financial safety net? It’s something worth thinking about and setting up. What will happen to you and your loved ones if you lose your job for a few months?
What if you get into an accident that prevents you from earning a living? Or what if some unexpected expenses come up. Do you have anything in place to make sure the bills continue to get paid?
If not, now is the time to get started. But where do you actually start?
Three to six months’ worth of living expenses saved in an interest-bearing account is a good start. Figure out what your family needs to live on if all income stops. Then start saving as much money as you can until you have built up this safety net.
Trim expenses for eating out, going to the movies, buying the newest TV and Tech gadget and the like. Add these to your savings account until you’ve saved enough to have a comfortable cushion. To make this step go even faster, add any bonuses, tax refunds etc. as well.
But don’t stop there. Make it a goal to add to your safety cushion as you can and come back and revise your numbers from time to time. Your living expenses may go up or down over time. You can adjust the amount you need and set aside savings in an account where you can get at it with no hassle.
Life and disability insurance are another important part of your financial safety net. Do you have a plan in place to continue to cover your living expenses (or those of your family) when you can no longer work? Call your insurance agent and go over your current coverage. Make sure the insurance you’re paying for will pay out what you need and if not, make adjustments.
Next, consider investing any further savings into higher interest-bearing accounts. You may not be able to access money invested here right away. But the funds will come in handy when you’re dealing with a long-term financial emergency or are ready to retire. Plenty of investment vehicles have a higher yield than your bank savings account.
Talk to your financial adviser, Work out a plan that’s right for you, your family, and whatever the future may hold.
JohnK 9-18-2017
Overheard: “All money is a matter of belief.” ~Adam Smith
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