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A glass jar on the table with coins and emergency label for emergency fund

Sometime early in 2019, I had a family emergency that made me close my Sacco account and withdraw all my savings. While I treated this as my emergency kitty throughout, it occurred to me last minute that I had not been building emergency savings all along. I mean, the money was not easily accessible, and it was more of an investment than an emergency fund from the word go.

 

But that small event got me thinking; what would happen if I lost my job? How long would I survive in the city, paying my bills while looking for another job? So, I started saving small amounts of money where I could easily access the funds without eating into my long-term investments. It was not an easy journey, but less than a year later, the little money I had by then would come in handy when I lost my job. 

 

My point is, whatever you do, you need to set aside some money that you can count on during emergencies. That’s what we call building an emergency fund. Although it’s hard to scrape some cash off the little you already have, that fund makes you breathe easy knowing you’re covered. If this pandemic has taught me anything, it’s how important an emergency kitty can be.  

 

What’s an Emergency Fund?

An emergency fund consists of money you save to get through emergencies. The money in your emergency savings account is not for daily living expenses or when you feel you need to get a fancy item or vacation. An emergency kitty is a fund or a savings account you can count on in case the below happens;

  • You lose your job
  • Have unexpected medical needs
  • Car accident or breakdown
  • Unexpected house repairs

 

Need a savings tracker? Track your emergency fund savings easily with this planner

 

Steps to Building an Emergency Fund

1. Set Your Emergency Fund Target

The first step to building an emergency kitty is setting the minimum amount you need for emergencies. The lower the amount, the easier it’s to achieve that goal, and then you can increase it gradually. 

 

Ultimately, an emergency kitty should be able to cushion you for at least 3 months to 1 year, depending on who you ask. The pandemic has taught us that the longer your emergency savings can cushion you, the better. Many people are starting to aim for an emergency fund that cushions them for at least 1 year. If your monthly expenses are Kes 25,000.00, your emergency kitty should have Kes 75,000 to Kes 300,000 for a 3-month and 1-year emergency fund. 

 

2. You Save First

After setting your emergency fund target, the next step is setting a savings goal. How long do you need to build an emergency fund? How much do you need to set aside monthly or weekly to achieve this goal?

 

Saving should not be an afterthought but the first thing you do once your salary hits your account. You can set a standing order if your salary comes at a particular date. However, confirm your local bank’s charges, as some tend to have high charges on standing orders. 

 

Related read: 5 Quick Steps to Rebuild Your Emergency Fund

 

3. Where to Put the Emergency Fund Money

While building an emergency fund requires you to put it in a highly accessible account, it does not mean letting it lay idly in a non-interest-earning account. You can consider putting the money in Money Market Account or a Sacco. If you decide to save in a Sacco, ensure the money is in a FOSA account for accessibility. 

 

4. Assess the Account Regularly 

Assess the account and the situation regularly. If you have hit the threshold, then you can start saving the money elsewhere for long-term investments or other wants like a vacation or buying major items like electronics. If you have used the money for another emergency, start saving again to get the emergency fund to the minimum amount required.  

 

Related read: Quick Start Emergency Fund: Step 1 to Financial Success

 

A young Black lady in a flower shop, cutting the tips of a flower

 

Freeing up Money to Build an Emergency Fund 

When you rely on your salary to cater to your bills, debt payments, investments, and other savings, it becomes quite challenging to have enough money for an emergency fund. You can free up more cash for your emergency fund in four ways. 

 

1. Trimming Your Expenses

Cutting your expenses will free up some money you can use to build your emergency fund. Try reducing your phone and data plan bills, grocery, monthly subscriptions, entertainment, and other luxuries. When your emergency kitty is full, you can always return to these or even invest the money elsewhere.

 

Read more on how to start budgeting

 

2. Making More Money 

Another way to have more money to save is to make more money through side hustles or monetizing your hobbies. There are many ways to make money online, which might help you start your freelancing career. You can start monetizing your hobbies like baking, cooking, art and craft, and photography. 

 

3. Save Any Windfalls

Reducing one’s budget can be difficult, especially when living in a large household. If you cannot manage to trim your expenses, you need to start saving any windfalls to grow your emergency fund. Windfalls are any amounts you receive unexpectedly, like tax credits, work bonuses, or gifts in terms of money. 

 

4. Sell What You No Longer Use

If there are things in the house you no longer use, you can sell them online. You will be freeing up space in your home and making some money. 

 

The bottom line is that no matter how hard life is now, it worsens during emergencies. Having an emergency fund might be the lifeline between surviving the situation or spiralling into debt. If you do not have an emergency fund, this is the right time to build one. Trim your expenses if you can, start a side hustle, or sell anything in the house you no longer need. Whatever little money you can get, save it in a high-yield account. In no time, your emergency fund kitty will be full and ready to save the rainy day.

DISCLOSURE: THE INFORMATION PROVIDED TO MY READERS IS GENUINE AND PRECISE TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE. THE LINKS PROVIDED IN THIS ARTICLE DO NOT BELONG TO ANY AFFILIATE PARTNERS AND I AM NOT PAID FOR THEM. THE ARTICLE OFFERS GENERAL INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE OR HELP THAT CATERS TO YOUR INDIVIDUAL FINANCIAL GOALS. KINDLY SEEK HELP AND ADVICE FROM YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR FOR PERSONALISED ADVICE AND HELP. ANY ACTION TAKEN BASED ON THIS INFORMATION IS AT YOUR OWN RESPONSIBILITY AND RISK.

Comments:

  • Marlow marion

    August 26, 2020

    I had to grab my book and paper! Thank you

    reply...

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