A Rainy Day fund can do wonders for your retirement



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Building an emergency fund is one of those nagging things that most people know they should do – but do not do it.

In the latest study showing that Americans run out of cash, 49% of respondents to the First National Bank of Omaha survey said they had enough savings to cover living expenses for up to three months.

Having a rainy day fund is essential to overcome a job loss or pay for the proverbial roof that needs to be replaced, but the deepest impact concerns the impact on saving in view of the retreat.

"If you do not have cash, you may end up with a series of bad cascading decisions," says Greg Klingler, director of wealth management at GEBA. And these bad decisions can wreak havoc on retirement savings over time.

The effect of training on retirement

Take an early retirement start at the top of the list of bad decisions that may arise from lack of savings. In a study published by E * Trade Financial last August, 60% of investors aged 18 to 34 said they had withdrawn money from their retirement account; this figure is double what it was in 2015.

The immediate effect of the raid on retirement is an early withdrawal penalty of 10%, but it is small compared to what is lost over time.

Consider what happens when a 40 year old man draws, say, $ 10,000 from a $ 100,000 retirement account. At age 65, that's the difference between about $ 542,700 and $ 488,500, assuming a 7% compounded return annually, if that money had been left alone. The alternative of taking an additional debt of $ 10,000 can produce even worse results over time.

Not having enough money backed up can also wreak havoc on your risk vision. In one
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According to a survey conducted a few years ago, 59% of those surveyed said they focus more on preventing losses than maximizing the growth of their retirement investments.

Although investors do not want to take risks, the defense is not a way to win a long game in retirement. Consider this hypothetical $ 100,000 balance for a 40-year-old investor: an annual return of 4% rises to $ 266,583 over 25 years, compared with $ 542,700 for a 7% return.

Yet another reason why money is king? "It's peace of mind," says Steve Lindsay, managing director of wealth management at First National Bank of Omaha. For example, it may take time to accumulate enough savings to change careers, but it can mean the difference between staying in a job that you hate and making the leap into a career that can lead you to the line. from the finish of the retreat, or beyond.

Overcome the savings

Many people fail to make savings in the short term because they aim too high. It may seem paradoxical, but let's face it: the general rule of saving money for three to six months can be daunting, so much so that many people give up before starting.

"I always say that everyone who climbs Everest is doing it step by step," says Klingler.

In the same way that you can build a healthy retirement template by making regular contributions over time, you can overcome the rush of rainy days by saving a reasonable amount to save automatically at regular intervals. For many people, it is easier to schedule smaller transfers for weekly or bi-weekly savings rather than moving more money each month.

While nothing can replace the allocation of a fixed amount to savings, "changeover applications" can provide an extra boost. Launched in 2015, the Digit fintech uses algorithms to analyze the activity of your current account and transfer small amounts to an FDIC insured account every two or three days. (This writer has set aside more than $ 150 per month without noticing seemingly random withdrawals ranging from $ 3.89 to $ 25.79.) Digit charges $ 2.99 a month, but it would be worth it if it were not worth it. it allowed you to start saving.

And here's a hack that does not cost a cent: Name your Rainy Day fund something that resonates. It's one thing to neglect your generic savings account, but you can think twice before withdrawing funds from an account called Protect My Family.

Find your Sweet Spot savings

Whether you go there alone or you get the help of technology, the most important step is just to start. As your savings increase, you need to set goals.

Most planners use three to six months, but this amount can vary greatly depending on the circumstances. If you have a stable job in the industry, you may be able to get by with less than three months, but if you work on your behalf or on commission, you may need more than six months of expenses.

Also think about your rainy day fund in the context of your other finances, says Klingler. If you are retired and you have a conservative 50% equity and 50% bond portfolio, you may not need more cash than if you have a heavy portfolio in equities. Likewise, you should also consider other sources of cash, including the equity in your home.

Of course, you never want to turn your home into an ATM, but having a home equity line of credit is a good palliative for building up your cash reserves. "As long as you do not use the money, it does not cost you anything," says Klingler.

During this time, you can sleep more easily at night, knowing that you are covered in case of a small leak or major deluge.

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