Getting Started: Establishing a Financial Safety Net

In times of crisis, you don't want to be shaking pennies out of a piggy bank. Having a financial safety net in place can ensure that you're protected when a financial emergency arises. One way to accomplish this is by setting up a cash reserve, or a pool of readily available funds, that can help you meet emergency or highly urgent short-term needs.

How much is enough?

Most financial professionals suggest that you have three to six months' worth of living expenses in your cash reserve. The actual amount, however, should be based on your particular circumstances. Do you have a mortgage? Do you have short-term and long-term disability protection? Are you paying for your child's orthodontics? Are you making car payments? Other factors you need to consider include your job security, health, and income. The bottom line: Without an emergency fund, a period of crisis (e.g., unemployment, disability) could be financially devastating.

For more information, read Starting Your Emergency Savings Fund.

Building your cash reserve

If you haven't established a cash reserve, or if the one you have is inadequate, you can take several steps to eliminate the shortfall:

• Save aggressively: If available, use payroll deduction at work; budget your savings as part of regular household expenses

• Reduce your discretionary spending (e.g., eating out, movies, lottery tickets)

• Use current or liquid assets (those that are cash or are convertible to cash within a year, such as a short-term certificate of deposit)

• Use earnings from other investments (e.g.,stocks, bonds, or mutual funds)

• Check out other resources (e.g., do you have a cash value insurance policy that you can borrow from?)

A final note: Your credit line can be a secondary source of funds in a time of crisis. Borrowed money, however, has to be paid back (often with interest). As a result, you shouldn't consider borrowing as the only source for your cash reserve.

Has an unexpected emergency already come up and you don’t have enough in your emergency savings funds to cover it? Find out if a personal loan from First Bank can help you get access to the funds you need.

Where to keep your cash reserve

You'll want to make sure that your cash reserve is readily available when you need it. However, an FDIC-insured, low-interest savings account isn't your only option. There are several excellent alternatives, each with unique advantages. For example, money market accounts and short-term CDs typically offer higher interest rates than many traditional savings accounts, with little (if any) increased risk.

Note: Don't confuse a money market mutual fund with a money market deposit account. An investment in a money market mutual fund is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC. Although the mutual fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

Note: When considering a money market mutual fund, be sure to obtain and read the fund's prospectus, which is available from the fund or your financial advisor, and outlines the fund's investment objectives, risks, fees, expenses. Carefully consider those factors before investing.

It's important to note that certain fixed-term investment vehicles (i.e., those that pledge to return your principal plus interest on a given date), such as CDs, impose a significant penalty for early withdrawals. So, if you're going to use fixed-term investments as part of your cash reserve, you'll want to be sure to ladder (stagger) their maturity dates over a short period of time (e.g., two to five months). This will ensure the availability of funds, without penalty, to meet sudden financial needs.

Explore more savings options available at First Bank.

Review your cash reserve periodically

Your personal and financial circumstances change often--a new child comes along, an aging parent becomes more dependent, or a larger home brings increased expenses. Because your cash reserve is the first line of protection against financial devastation, you should review it annually to make sure that it fits your current needs.

As we close in on another year, consider adding “establishing a financial security net” to your list of New Year’s resolutions. To find out how First Bank can help with your short and long-term savings goals, reach out to a knowledgeable First Bank representative today.