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Building an emergency fund: How much should I save?
Why have an emergency fund?
An emergency fund is like the fire extinguisher you keep at home. You hope you'll never have to use it—but when there's a need, you're glad it's there.
You may need your emergency fund if the unexpected happens:
How much should I have in my emergency fund?
Aim to have enough in a savings account to cover 6 months of expenses. Everyone's situation is different, so you can adjust that number based on your circumstances.
These are your monthly expenses:
Tips to help you build your buffer
Saving even $20/week (that's $1,040 a year) is a great start.
Use credit wisely
Track your spendingOpens pdf to be aware of what you have
Curb impulse buying—stick with your list
Avoid fees (late charges, minimum balance, ATM fees, etc.)
Plan ahead for big purchases
Avoid cash advances
Use direct deposit
Jump start your savings with a tax refund or other windfall
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