Читать книгу Mutual Funds For Dummies - Eric Tyson - Страница 66

Before you save money toward goals, accumulate an amount of money equal to about three to six months of your household’s living expenses. This fund isn’t for keeping up on the latest consumer technology gadgets. It’s for emergency purposes: for your living expenses when you’re between jobs, for unexpected medical bills, for a last-minute plane ticket to visit an ailing relative. Basically, it’s a fund to cushion your fall when life unexpectedly trips you up. Call it your pillow fund. You’ll be amazed how much of a stress reducer a pillow fund is.

How much you save in this fund and how quickly you build it up depends on the stability of your income and the depth of your family support. If your job is steady and your folks are still there for you, then you can keep the size of this fund on the smaller side. On the other hand, if your income is erratic and you have no ties to benevolent family members, you may want to consider building up this fund to a year’s worth of expenses.

The ideal savings vehicle for your emergency reserve fund is a money market fund. See Chapter 11 for an in-depth discussion of money market funds and a list of the best ones to choose from.