Before I jump into today's topic, I want to thank the personal finance bloggers who contributed to Kip Tips while I was out on vacation. I hoped you enjoyed their advice.
I returned from my trip to find my inbox full of e-mails. Among all the press releases and pitches for new products or Web sites, one e-mail from Bankrate.com stood out. It said that according to a new Bankrate.com poll, one in four Americans has NO emergency savings.
Another 22% said their savings would only cover three months' worth of expenses, although most financial planners now say you need an emergency fund to cover at least six months' of expenses.
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Disturbing as the Bankrate.com Financial Security Index poll results may be, they don't surprise me given that the economy still is weak and the unemployment rate is about 9%.
I'd like to know how many of you have an emergency fund. Would you be able to cover a month's, three months', six months' of expenses or more? If you do have an emergency fund, how have you managed to stash cash in it in this economy? Share your tips in the reader comments box below.
And here are several tips from Kiplinger's on how to spend less and save more so you can build up your emergency fund:
How Much Cash You Really Need
10 Ways to Trick Yourself Into Saving
7 Sneaky Savings Strategies for Generation Y
SLIDE SHOW: 25 Ways to Stop Wasting Money
32 More Ways to Stop Wasting Your Money
Save $50 a Day
How to Save on Utility Bills and Trips to the Gas Station
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