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Building an Emergency Fund on a Tight Budget

Published Apr 27, 24
17 min read

Financial literacy is a set of skills and knowledge that are necessary to make good decisions when it comes to one's money. The process is similar to learning the complex rules of a game. Like athletes who need to master their sport's fundamentals, individuals also benefit from knowing essential financial concepts in order to manage their wealth and create a secure future.

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In today's complex and changing financial landscape, it is more important than ever that individuals take responsibility for their own financial health. From managing student loans to planning for retirement, financial decisions can have long-lasting impacts. A study by FINRA's Investor Education Foundation showed a positive correlation between high levels of financial literacy and financial behaviors, such as saving for an emergency and planning retirement.

Financial literacy is not enough to guarantee financial success. Critics argue that focusing solely on individual financial education ignores systemic issues that contribute to financial inequality. Some researchers suggest that financial education has limited effectiveness in changing behavior, pointing to factors such as behavioral biases and the complexity of financial products as significant challenges.

Another perspective is that financial literacy education should be complemented by behavioral economics insights. This approach recognizes people's inability to make rational financial choices, even with the knowledge they need. These strategies based on behavioral economy, such as automatic enrollments in savings plans have been shown to be effective in improving financial outcomes.

Key takeaway: While financial literacy is an important tool for navigating personal finances, it's just one piece of the larger economic puzzle. Financial outcomes are influenced by a variety of factors including systemic influences, individual circumstances and behavioral tendencies.

Fundamentals of Finance

Basic Financial Concepts

The fundamentals of finance form the backbone of financial literacy. These include understanding:

  1. Income: Money earned from work and investments.

  2. Expenses (or expenditures): Money spent by the consumer on goods or services.

  3. Assets: Things you own that have value.

  4. Liabilities: Debts or financial commitments

  5. Net Worth: The difference between your assets and liabilities.

  6. Cash Flow is the total amount of cash that enters and leaves a business. This has a major impact on liquidity.

  7. Compound interest: Interest calculated by adding the principal amount and the accumulated interest from previous periods.

Let's look deeper at some of these concepts.

The Income

The sources of income can be varied:

  • Earned income: Salaries, wages, bonuses

  • Investment income: Dividends, interest, capital gains

  • Passive income: Rental income, royalties, online businesses

Understanding the different income streams is important for tax and budget planning. In most tax systems, earned-income is taxed higher than long term capital gains.

Assets and Liabilities Liabilities

Assets include things that you own with value or income. Examples include:

  • Real estate

  • Stocks & bonds

  • Savings accounts

  • Businesses

The opposite of assets are liabilities. These include:

  • Mortgages

  • Car loans

  • Card debt

  • Student Loans

The relationship between assets and liabilities is a key factor in assessing financial health. Some financial theories suggest focusing on acquiring assets that generate income or appreciate in value, while minimizing liabilities. It's important to remember that not all debt is bad. For example, a mortgage can be considered as an investment into an asset (real property) that could appreciate over time.

Compound Interest

Compound interest refers to the idea of earning interest from your interest over time, leading exponential growth. This concept works both for and against individuals - it can help investments grow, but also cause debts to increase rapidly if not managed properly.

Consider, for example, an investment of $1000 with a return of 7% per year:

  • In 10 years it would have grown to $1,967

  • After 20 years, it would grow to $3,870

  • It would be worth $7,612 in 30 years.

Here's a look at the potential impact of compounding. Remember that these are just hypothetical examples. Actual investment returns will vary greatly and can include periods where losses may occur.

Understanding these basics allows individuals to create a clearer picture of their financial situation, much like how knowing the score in a game helps in strategizing the next move.

Financial Planning and Goal Setting

Financial planning includes setting financial targets and devising strategies to reach them. The process is comparable to an athlete’s training regime, which outlines all the steps required to reach peak performance.

Elements of financial planning include:

  1. Setting SMART goals for your finances

  2. How to create a comprehensive budget

  3. Developing saving and investment strategies

  4. Regularly reviewing the plan and making adjustments

Setting SMART Financial Goals

It is used by many people, including in finance, to set goals.

  • Specific: Having goals that are clear and well-defined makes it easier to work toward them. For example, "Save money" is vague, while "Save $10,000" is specific.

  • You should track your progress. In this case, you can measure how much you've saved towards your $10,000 goal.

  • Achievable: Your goals must be realistic.

  • Relevance: Goals should reflect your life's objectives and values.

  • Setting a time limit can keep you motivated. Save $10,000 in 2 years, for example.

Budget Creation

A budget helps you track your income and expenses. Here's a quick overview of budgeting:

  1. Track all income sources

  2. List all your expenses and classify them into fixed (e.g. rental) or variable (e.g. entertainment)

  3. Compare income with expenses

  4. Analyze the results and consider adjustments

The 50/30/20 rule is a popular guideline for budgeting. It suggests that you allocate:

  • 50 % of income to cover basic needs (housing, food, utilities)

  • Enjoy 30% off on entertainment and dining out

  • Savings and debt repayment: 20%

It is important to understand that the individual circumstances of each person will vary. Some critics of these rules claim that they are not realistic for most people, especially those with low salaries or high living costs.

Savings and Investment Concepts

Saving and investing are key components of many financial plans. Here are some related concepts:

  1. Emergency Fund: An emergency fund is a savings cushion for unexpected expenses and income disruptions.

  2. Retirement Savings. Long-term savings to be used after retirement. Often involves certain types of accounts with tax implications.

  3. Short-term savings: For goals in the next 1-5 year, usually kept in easily accessible accounts.

  4. Long-term Investments: For goals more than 5 years away, often involving a diversified investment portfolio.

There are many opinions on the best way to invest for retirement or emergencies. These decisions depend on individual circumstances, risk tolerance, and financial goals.

Planning your finances can be compared to a route map. Financial planning involves understanding your starting point (current situation), destination (financial targets), and routes you can take to get there.

Risk Management and Diversification

Understanding Financial Risks

In finance, risk management involves identifying threats to your financial health and developing strategies to reduce them. This concept is similar to how athletes train to avoid injuries and ensure peak performance.

Key components of financial risk management include:

  1. Identifying possible risks

  2. Assessing risk tolerance

  3. Implementing risk mitigation strategies

  4. Diversifying investments

Identification of Potential Risks

Financial risks can arise from many sources.

  • Market risk: Loss of money that may be caused by factors affecting the performance of financial markets.

  • Credit risk: Loss resulting from the failure of a borrower to repay a debt or fulfill contractual obligations.

  • Inflation Risk: The risk of the purchasing power decreasing over time because of inflation.

  • Liquidity Risk: The risk that you will not be able to sell your investment quickly at a fair value.

  • Personal risk: Risks specific to an individual's situation, such as job loss or health issues.

Assessing Risk Tolerance

The risk tolerance of an individual is their ability and willingness endure fluctuations in investment value. It's influenced by factors like:

  • Age: Younger individuals have a longer time to recover after potential losses.

  • Financial goals. A conservative approach to short-term objectives is often required.

  • Income stability: A stable salary may encourage more investment risk.

  • Personal comfort: Some people are naturally more risk-averse than others.

Risk Mitigation Strategies

Common strategies for risk reduction include:

  1. Insurance: Protection against major financial losses. Insurance includes life insurance, disability insurance, health insurance and property insurance.

  2. Emergency Fund: Provides a financial cushion for unexpected expenses or income loss.

  3. Debt management: Maintaining manageable debt levels can reduce financial vulnerabilities.

  4. Continuous Learning: Staying informed about financial matters can help in making more informed decisions.

Diversification: A Key Risk Management Strategy

Diversification, or "not putting your eggs all in one basket," is a common risk management strategy. By spreading investments across various asset classes, industries, and geographic regions, the impact of poor performance in any single investment can potentially be reduced.

Consider diversification to be the defensive strategy of a soccer club. The team uses multiple players to form a strong defense, not just one. A diversified investment portfolio also uses multiple types of investments in order to potentially protect from financial losses.

Diversification can take many forms.

  1. Asset Class Diversification is the practice of spreading investments among stocks, bonds and real estate as well as other asset classes.

  2. Sector Diversification Investing in a variety of sectors within the economy.

  3. Geographic Diversification: Investing in different countries or regions.

  4. Time Diversification (dollar-cost average): Investing in small amounts over time instead of all at once.

Diversification in finance is generally accepted, but it is important to understand that it does not provide a guarantee against losing money. All investments are subject to some degree of risk. It is possible that multiple asset classes can decline at the same time, as was seen in major economic crises.

Some critics say that it is hard to achieve true diversification due to the interconnectedness of global economies, especially for individuals. They argue that in times of market stress the correlations among different assets may increase, reducing benefits of diversification.

Diversification remains an important principle in portfolio management, despite the criticism.

Investment Strategies and Asset Allocation

Investment strategies are plans that guide decisions regarding the allocation and use of assets. These strategies can be likened to an athlete’s training regimen which is carefully planned to maximize performance.

Key aspects of investment strategies include:

  1. Asset allocation - Dividing investments between different asset types

  2. Portfolio diversification: Spreading assets across asset categories

  3. Regular monitoring and rebalancing : Adjusting the Portfolio over time

Asset Allocation

Asset allocation is the division of investments into different asset categories. The three main asset types are:

  1. Stocks (Equities): Represent ownership in a company. In general, higher returns are expected but at a higher risk.

  2. Bonds (Fixed income): These are loans made to corporations or governments. Generally considered to offer lower returns but with lower risk.

  3. Cash and Cash Alternatives: These include savings accounts (including money market funds), short-term bonds, and government securities. Generally offer the lowest returns but the highest security.

Asset allocation decisions can be influenced by:

  • Risk tolerance

  • Investment timeline

  • Financial goals

Asset allocation is not a one size fits all strategy. While rules of thumb exist (such as subtracting your age from 100 or 110 to determine the percentage of your portfolio that could be in stocks), these are generalizations and may not be appropriate for everyone.

Portfolio Diversification

Diversification can be done within each asset class.

  • Stocks: You can invest in different sectors and geographical regions, as well as companies of various sizes (small, mid, large).

  • For bonds: This might involve varying the issuers (government, corporate), credit quality, and maturities.

  • Alternative investments: For additional diversification, some investors add real estate, commodities, and other alternative investments.

Investment Vehicles

There are various ways to invest in these asset classes:

  1. Individual Stocks and Bonds : Direct ownership, but requires more research and management.

  2. Mutual Funds: Portfolios of stocks or bonds professionally managed by professionals.

  3. Exchange-Traded Funds, or ETFs, are mutual funds that can be traded like stocks.

  4. Index Funds are mutual funds or ETFs that track a particular market index.

  5. Real Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs, allow investors to invest in property without owning it directly.

Active vs. Passive investing

There's an ongoing debate in the investment world about active versus passive investing:

  • Active Investing is the process of trying to outperform a market by picking individual stocks, or timing the markets. It requires more time and knowledge. Fees are often higher.

  • The passive investing involves the purchase and hold of a diversified investment portfolio, which is usually done via index funds. The idea is that it is difficult to consistently beat the market.

This debate is ongoing, with proponents on both sides. Advocates of active investing argue that skilled managers can outperform the market, while proponents of passive investing point to studies showing that, over the long term, the majority of actively managed funds underperform their benchmark indices.

Regular Monitoring and Rebalancing

Over time some investments will perform better than other, which can cause the portfolio to drift off its target allocation. Rebalancing means adjusting your portfolio periodically to maintain the desired allocation of assets.

Rebalancing involves selling stocks to buy bonds. For example, the target allocation for a portfolio is 60% stocks to 40% bonds. However, after a good year on the stock market, the portfolio has changed to 70% stocks to 30% bonds.

Rebalancing is not always done annually. Some people rebalance only when allocations are above a certain level.

Consider asset allocation as a balanced diet. A balanced diet for athletes includes proteins, carbohydrates and fats. An investment portfolio is similar. It typically contains a mixture of assets in order to achieve financial goals while managing risks.

Remember: All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance does NOT guarantee future results.

Plan for Retirement and Long-Term Planning

Long-term planning includes strategies that ensure financial stability throughout your life. This includes estate planning as well as retirement planning. These are comparable to an athletes' long-term strategic career plan, which aims to maintain financial stability even after their sport career ends.

The following are the key components of a long-term plan:

  1. Understanding retirement options: Understanding the different types of accounts, setting goals and estimating future costs.

  2. Estate planning - preparing assets to be transferred after death. Includes wills, estate trusts, tax considerations

  3. Consider future healthcare costs and needs.

Retirement Planning

Retirement planning is about estimating how much you might need to retire and knowing the different ways that you can save. Here are a few key points:

  1. Estimating retirement needs: According to certain financial theories, retirees will need between 70-80% their pre-retirement earnings in order to maintain a standard of life during retirement. This is only a generalization, and individual needs may vary.

  2. Retirement Accounts:

    • 401(k), or employer-sponsored retirement accounts. These plans often include contributions from the employer.

    • Individual Retirement Accounts, or IRAs, can be Traditional, (potentially tax deductible contributions with taxed withdraws), and Roth, (after-tax contributions with potentially tax-free withdraws).

    • SEP IRAs & Solo 401 (k)s: Options for retirement accounts for independent contractors.

  3. Social Security: A program of the government that provides benefits for retirement. Understanding the benefits and how they are calculated is essential.

  4. The 4% Rules: A guideline stating that retirees may withdraw 4% their portfolio in their first retirement year and adjust that amount to inflation each year. There is a high likelihood that they will not outlive the money. [...previous text remains the same ...]

  5. The 4% Rule is a guideline which suggests that retirees should withdraw 4% from their portfolio during the first year after retirement. They can then adjust this amount each year for inflation, and there's a good chance they won't run out of money. The 4% Rule has been debated. Some financial experts believe it is too conservative, while others say that depending on individual circumstances and market conditions, the rule may be too aggressive.

Important to remember that retirement is a topic with many variables. Factors such as inflation, market performance, healthcare costs, and longevity can all significantly impact retirement outcomes.

Estate Planning

Estate planning involves preparing for the transfer of assets after death. Key components include:

  1. Will: Document that specifies how a person wants to distribute their assets upon death.

  2. Trusts: Legal entities that can hold assets. There are various types of trusts, each with different purposes and potential benefits.

  3. Power of attorney: Appoints another person to act on behalf of a client who is incapable of making financial decisions.

  4. Healthcare Directive: A healthcare directive specifies a person's wishes in case they are incapacitated.

Estate planning is complex and involves tax laws, family dynamics, as well as personal wishes. Estate laws can differ significantly from country to country, or even state to state.

Healthcare Planning

Plan for your future healthcare needs as healthcare costs continue their upward trend in many countries.

  1. Health Savings Accounts: These accounts are tax-advantaged in some countries. The eligibility and rules may vary.

  2. Long-term Insurance: Policies that cover the costs for extended care, whether in a facility or at your home. The price and availability of such policies can be very different.

  3. Medicare: Medicare, the government's health insurance program in the United States, is designed primarily to serve people over 65. Understanding the coverage and limitations of Medicare is important for retirement planning.

Healthcare systems and costs can vary greatly around the globe, and therefore healthcare planning requirements will differ depending on a person's location.

The conclusion of the article is:

Financial literacy encompasses many concepts, ranging from simple budgeting strategies to complex investment plans. As we've explored in this article, key areas of financial literacy include:

  1. Understanding basic financial concepts

  2. Developing skills in financial planning and goal setting

  3. Diversification can be used to mitigate financial risk.

  4. Understanding asset allocation and various investment strategies

  5. Planning for retirement and estate planning, as well as long-term financial needs

Although these concepts can provide a solid foundation for financial education, it is important to remember that the financial industry is always evolving. Changes in financial regulations, new financial products and the global economy all have an impact on personal financial management.

Moreover, financial literacy alone doesn't guarantee financial success. As we have discussed, behavioral tendencies, individual circumstances and systemic influences all play a significant role in financial outcomes. Some critics of financial literacy point out that the education does not address systemic injustices and can place too much blame on individuals.

A different perspective emphasizes that it is important to combine insights from behavioral economists with financial literacy. This approach recognizes that people don't always make rational financial decisions, even when they have the necessary knowledge. It is possible that strategies that incorporate human behavior, decision-making and other factors may improve financial outcomes.

The fact that personal finance rarely follows a "one-size-fits all" approach is also important. It's important to recognize that what works for someone else may not work for you due to different income levels, goals and risk tolerance.

The complexity of personal finances and the constant changes in this field make it essential that you continue to learn. It could include:

  • Keep informed about the latest economic trends and news

  • Regularly reviewing and updating financial plans

  • Look for credible sources of financial data

  • Professional advice is important for financial situations that are complex.

It's important to remember that financial literacy, while an essential tool, is only part of the solution when it comes to managing your finances. Financial literacy requires critical thinking, adaptability, as well as a willingness and ability to constantly learn and adjust strategies.

Financial literacy's goal is to help people achieve their personal goals, and to be financially well off. For different people, financial literacy could mean a variety of things - from achieving a sense of security, to funding major life goals, to being in a position to give back.

Financial literacy can help individuals navigate through the many complex financial decisions that they will face in their lifetime. It's still important to think about your own unique situation, and to seek advice from a professional when necessary. This is especially true for making big financial decisions.


The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as financial advice, nor should it be construed or relied upon as such. The author and publishers of this content are not licensed financial advisors and do not provide personalized financial advice or recommendations. The concepts discussed may not be suitable for everyone, and the information provided does not take into account individual circumstances, financial situations, or needs. Before making any financial decisions, readers should conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor. The author and publishers shall not be liable for any errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any actions taken in reliance on this information.