Rebuilding Emergency Savings in 2021: Take a Realistic Approach
Saving for a rainy day can be a tall order, especially if you have recently experienced a financial setback. Taking even small steps can help you work toward the larger goal of building up your emergency savings.
![Stacks of coins on top of rolled up dollar bills.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FZLkp7cgGhWDwf9xbiZETE-415-80.jpg)
You may have heard that you should have three to six months’ worth of essential living expenses saved in case of emergency. It’s sound guidance — but it might be the last thing you want to hear after a year marked by emergencies.
For many of us, 2020 tested our health, safety, bravery and basic financial stability more than any other period in recent memory. If you didn’t already have money saved for emergencies, last year likely wasn’t the time to start stashing it away. And if you did, it may have been a prime opportunity to dip into your reserve.
To that end, a survey from Bankrate found that 35% of Americans have less in their emergency fund now than before the pandemic started, while just 13% have more. Only a quarter have enough saved to cover six months’ worth of expenses, and one-fifth (21%) have no emergency savings at all. Despite these sobering stats, more than half (54%) of respondents said they feel at least somewhat confident in the amount they have socked away. These findings show there’s a disconnect between what people think they need to have saved versus what best practices tell us we need to have saved.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hwgJ7osrMtUWhk5koeVme7-200-80.png](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hwgJ7osrMtUWhk5koeVme7-320-80.png)
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
To be sure, it can be tough to anticipate how much money we’ll need to cover an emergency, whether it’s unforeseen medical expenses, helping loved ones in need, or replacing income after prolonged unemployment. These scenarios were all too common in 2020 (and continue to be), and many Americans have found themselves coming up short.
But with the benefit of hindsight, many of us may be looking to prepare for the next time we need extra funds. Starting wherever you are today and taking small, practical steps can help you develop sound and effective saving habits. To help you get started, I’ve addressed some of the most common questions about emergency savings below.
How much do I need to have saved?
As noted above, typical guidance suggests you should have three to six months’ of basic living expenses in your emergency fund. Granted, that’s a pretty wide range — so what should you aim for? Everyone’s circumstances are different, but if you have children or ongoing medical expenses, it can be wise to plan for the higher threshold or more.
Not to mention, the events of 2020 showed us that certain industries are particularly hard hit by economic crises — for indeterminate periods of time. If you’re in a job that’s vulnerable to market fluctuations, you may need an even higher target.
For most people, essential living expenses include housing, food, utilities, transportation and health care. Depending on your family, they might also include child care or eldercare costs, or education expenses. If you have debts, they might also include minimum monthly payments to your lenders.
To determine your emergency savings target, take an average of how much you spend on all of your essentials in a given month and multiply it by six (or nine or 12, depending on the number of months you want to prepare for). Don’t just estimate: review your bank and credit card statements to get an accurate picture of your spending. The totals may surprise you. Of course, a loss of income isn’t the only type of financial emergency, so you may want to build in a cushion for home repairs, unforeseen medical events or the sudden need to travel or relocate.
Where do I get the money from?
Meeting your current expenses can be hard enough without the additional pressure of saving for future unknowns. But understand that funding an emergency reserve doesn’t happen overnight; you can set aside smaller amounts over time until you arrive at your target. There are a number of strategies you can apply as you source this money.
First, you can factor saving for this purpose into your monthly budget. This may require pulling back in certain non-essential categories until you’ve met your goal, but remember that these adjustments can be incremental and temporary. For example, with many of us spending more time at home, money previously spent on dining, entertainment, travel and commuting might be steered toward emergency savings instead.
Next, if you’re working, you can dedicate part of your bonus or tax refund to your emergency reserve. While it can be tempting to treat those dollars as “fun money” or use them on short-term expenses, your future self may thank you for allocating some of them to your rainy-day fund.
Another possibility is starting a side business. If your friends are always saying, “You should charge for that!” when commenting on your hobbies and skills, give it some serious consideration. There are many online platforms that could help you earn money for your time and wares.
Lastly, if you have money invested, take a look at your total financial picture to ensure you’ve got an appropriate ratio of liquid cash on hand for emergencies. A financial professional can be a great resource for providing tailored guidance on asset allocation.
You can also mix and match these strategies to make the task of saving more manageable and potentially meet your goal sooner.
Where do I keep it?
Put your rainy-day fund in a liquid account — for example, a high-yield savings account — that can be accessed quickly if an emergency strikes. Importantly, keep this money in its own account, separate from those you use to pay bills and make purchases day to day. This way, you’ll have an easier time preserving it for when you really need it.
What if I need money fast but don’t have enough in my emergency fund?
If you find yourself in the midst of an emergency and haven’t built up sufficient savings, the guidance above may feel like too little, too late. Fortunately, there are short-term sources of funding and relief available, from temporary loan forbearance and debt relief, to lines of credit and new credit cards with zero-interest promotional periods, to employer assistance and unemployment.
The bottom line
Life is unpredictable — but just because you can’t predict the future, it doesn’t mean you can’t plan for the possibility of financial emergencies.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of “status quo bias,” assuming whatever you have stashed away now is sufficient for the future. However, taking a moment to evaluate your current level of savings versus how much you actually need can motivate you to take action and better prepare your finances for future emergencies.
Disclaimer
This article has been prepared for informational purposes only. The information in it has been obtained from sources outside of Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley makes no guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of the information from sources outside of Morgan Stanley. It does not provide individually tailored investment advice and has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it. The strategies and/or investments discussed in this article may not be appropriate for all investors. Morgan Stanley recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments and strategies, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a financial adviser. The appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives.
Disclaimer
Asset Allocation does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining financial markets.
Disclaimer
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax adviser for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.
Disclaimer
Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party websites. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy and completeness.
Disclaimer
© 2021 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC 3442379 03/21
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Krystal Barker Buissereth, CFA®, is a Managing Director and the Head of Financial Wellness for Morgan Stanley at Work. In this role, she is responsible for working with corporate clients and organizations on creating, implementing and managing financial wellness programs that meet the needs of their employees.
-
Visa Is the Worst Dow Stock Wednesday. Here's Why
Visa stock is down sharply Wednesday after the credit card company came up short of revenue expectations for its fiscal Q3.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
Another Analyst Moves to the Sidelines on Tesla Stock After Earnings
Tesla stock is spiraling Wednesday after the EV maker's big earnings miss and Wall Street has been quick to weigh in. Here's what you need to know.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
Confused by Annuities? Making Sense of the Different Types
Many investors aren't sure if annuities are a good option for meeting financial goals. Let's look at the different categories, along with their pros and cons.
By Kris Maksimovich, AIF®, CRPC®, CPFA®, CRC® Published
-
Talkin' 'Bout My Generational Wealth: Baby Boomers
With retirement, each generation has different priorities and challenges. For Baby Boomers, it's a matter of ready or not, here it comes.
By Alvina Lo Published
-
How to Avoid a Big Hassle if Your Financed Car Gets Wrecked
How an insurance check is made out for repairs can cause a world of problems if the lienholder is left out.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq. Published
-
Estate Planning Strategies to Consider as Election Nears
Are big changes in tax laws coming soon? Not likely, but you might want to take advantage of higher estate and gift tax exemptions well before the end of 2025.
By David Handler, J.D. Published
-
How to Get Your Money's Worth From Your Financial Adviser
A good financial adviser will focus on how your financial planning and investment strategy align with your lifestyle and aspirations.
By Pam Krueger Published
-
Think of Prenups and Postnups as Financial Planning Tools
These contracts provide a clear framework for asset management and protection and are especially useful if you get married later in life.
By Andrew Hatherley, CDFA®, CRPC® Published
-
Congratulations on Your Raise: Three Things to Do With It
We're not saying you shouldn't spend it on a new car, but there are some considerations to guard against lifestyle creep and to help ensure a comfy retirement.
By Andrew Rosen, CFP®, CEP Published
-
Check Off These Four Financial Tasks to Finish 2024 Strong
The new year is a popular time to set financial goals, but now is the ideal time to check how you're doing. Four tweaks could make a big difference.
By Daniel Razvi, Esquire Published