How Much Cash Do You Need?
In my blogs I’ve talked about charge accounts, checking accounts and savings accounts but one of the things I haven’t talked about is actual cash. Cash is good and it’s wise to know just home much you should have quickly accessible to you.
The answer to the question, ‘’How much cash should I keep on hand? ‘’ is ‘It depends on such things as personal circumstances, income, and goals.’
One recommendation is to have an emergency fund covering three to six months of living expenses. Some sources suggest retirees having enough cash to cover one to two years of living expense.
General Guidelines …
Emergency Fund: A good starting point is to save at least $1,000 for emergencies and then work toward a fund that can cover three to six months of expenses.
Long-Term Financial Goals: For individuals saving for retirement, it's recommended to have a cash reserve of one to two years of living expenses.
Individual Circumstances: Single-income families may need to save more, as a job loss could significantly impact household income.
Age and Income …
By age 30, it's recommended to have saved the equivalent of your annual salary.
By age 40, aim for three times your income.
By age 50, 6 times your income.
Things to Consider …
Income Stability: If you have a stable income stream, you may need less cash on hand.
Dependents: The more dependents you have, the more cash you'll likely need for an emergency fund.
Debt: If you have high-interest debt, it's crucial to prioritize paying it off, which may require a larger cash reserve.
Investment Goals: Consider how much cash you need to cover expenses while your investments grow.
Cold Hard Cash …
Another question to consider is how much actual cold hard cash should you have in your wallet or purse?
Again, it depends. It depends on what you are carrying cash for. If you ordered something and it is coming COD, then you will need to have more cash to pay for that package. If you just want to have cash for emergencies probably $100 or $200 would be enough.
An emergency stash is another spot to have several hundred dollars, up to $1,000. If there is a shut down—and electronics and technology are out of whack … it happens … you need moneys available for groceries, gas, you name it. Keep it in tens and twenties—bills that can be easily cashed. Where do you keep it? Good question … it’s your private stash. Where will you remember it … and where will others in your home most likely not think of it as a hiding place for money?
No matter what your age is … you want to start building a cash fund along with your other financial goals.
