Most people I know are two steps from complete disaster and don’t even know it. I realize this economy sucks- it totally does. I’ve seen people with prestigious degrees and mounds of student loan debt have to sit for job offers for months and months on end, while other long timers in their industry get laid off from budget cuts. This economy has left no one unscathed completely and for that, I really am sorry.
What I’m not going to apologize for is that most of us in dire financial situations are in this position because we did it to ourselves. It’s easy to get complacent with a job you’ve worked hard for, and yes, it’s okay to tell yourself you need the shiny things in life or a few additional creature comforts- but some of us are sitting ducks, blissfully unaware that we’re on the brink of losing everything since we aren’t prepared.
There are no guarantees in today’s job market. The economy might rebound, but who is to say that job you’ve vested your college career and younger working years to secure will even be around in the future? Today we are competing with outsourcing to cheaper labor markets, our work becoming irrelevant with emerging computer technology and the complete restructuring of industries in a changing global economy.
Even if you aren’t fighting in today’s job market, you’re fighting against time and youth. Nobody will feel sorry for you if you didn’t prepare yourself financially for life’s totally un-fun moments (i.e. car accident, surgery or medications).
You also need to comb through your expenses to see if there’s anything obviously silly to keep paying for. Whatever services you get rid of, or whatever discounts you can find, apply that to your new emergency fund.
I know many financial bloggers like to harp on financial preparedness. I get that it’s annoying and repetitive- but I’m saying it for a reason. Just the other day I heard a friend of mine tell me how she has nothing saved since she has a “shopping habit.” While she’s not in debt to pay for her admittedly adorable wardrobe, she is a few steps away from financial uncertainty (oh yes, and her student loans will be coming due soon, I don’t think she remembers that). Another friend is biting his nails since his student loans are nearly due and the job search is taking longer than anticipated, while yet another was finally offered a job but doesn’t have enough saved or decent credit history to either relocate or buy a car.
You could lose your job (boo!) or you could be offered a new job and need a better car (yay!) You may need to repair your roof (boo!) or you may find the home of your dreams for dirt cheap and need to put an offer in immediately (yay!)
So you know, I practice what I preach. I have an emergency fund that would cover my rent + expenses for 5 months (plus the money in my checking account that could also be used). I realize that’s not enough, so once I get through this job transition I’m going to dedicate any extra income I can find towards funding my safety net.
Seriously – You'll have no one to blame but yourself – economy sucking or not, a layoff could happen at any time to anyone.
I hear some people knocking the emergency fund as if emergencies are rare- but honestly, an emergency fund can be helpful if someone's laid off. I heard another blogger talking about having $5-10k in a EF was stupid, but honestly if you have family expenses and kids or a mortgage, $5-10k would only last you about 4-5 months if you have no other income and it's not unfeasible to think you won't find another job right away. It seems like a lot but it might be totally realistic depending on expenses!
Preach it! I don't think people can be reminded too much that they should be cranking the emergency fund. It's also totally true you can't count on your job to be there your entire career – you always need a backup plan in case your job gets shipped to another area.
Amen! Amen! Emergencies aren't just floods and fires- they're a loss in income or a decision to invest in more schooling and a decrease in income. Often we are unrealistic about how much we spend or how much we can feasibly cut back in our spending during a lean time of income. It's not just good to have options, it's good to cover your tush!
Great post! We weren't really affected by the economy, but it helped open my eyes and start to better prepare us for the future. 🙂
Jen
You've hit the nail on the head here! I have a hard time listening to people moan & groan about their situation as they sip on an expensive latte or while they are shopping for new shoes. I am not going to watch silently and nod my head in agreement when they are not taking a single step toward helping themselves. The art of living within ones means does not mean you can't live well it just means you need to be more creative with your life. Plan for today and tomorrow. Learn from the mistakes of yesterday and get yourself a strategy that you can stick with.
Dang it, you're so right! I have no emergency fund, and I just used my meager savings to get through last month. But blogging has forced me to be accountable, so all Xmas gift money and bonuses will go towards the emergency fund and not that camera I'm dying for 🙁
I agree you can never depend on the economy I don't how smart person would. Thanks for the post I will take your tips really to heart. I am newly single and a student so things are about to get rough I just breath– and I know I'll be ok