Emergency fund in retirement
Chris Farrell Jun 29, 2012
Your most recent program discussed the amount and kind of emergency funds needed for people working. My question is what those of us who are retired should consider for emergency funds. William, Schenectady, NY
Fewer Americans saving for emergencies
Sally Herships Jun 25, 2012
A new study says almost half of Americans don't have enough saved to cover three months expenses, up slightly from a year ago.
Savings bonds and emergency funds
Chris Farrell Jun 25, 2012
The place where I keep my emergency fund is in U.S. Treasury I-Series savings bonds. Is there any reason why I wouldn't want to keep the emergency fund there? Is there a dynamic that I am not considering? Dave, Denver, CO
Emergency Fund 101
Chris Farrell May 21, 2012
How do you recommend investing funds in an emergency savings account? Peter, Cherry Hill, NJ
Emergency savings: Expenses or aftertax salary?
Chris Farrell Mar 26, 2012
I'm a 36-year-old single professional in the DFW metroplex that tries to think long-term in my financial planning. I put 12 percent of my around $100,000 salary into my 401(k) with company match. Currently, the retirement fund is valued at about $100,000. I owe about $12,000 on my student loans (4.25 percent fixed interest, originally $80,000) and I have about 27 percent equity in my $180,000 town home. I recently refinanced my home at 4.125 percent for 15 years. My credit card debt is maybe $1,000.
After surviving a layoff well (due to a generous severance in the Great Recession), I was scared straight once I started working again. I now have about $15,000 in an emergency fund and next year's bonus will go to this, too. So I have three questions:
1) Do I need 6 months of bills or 6 months of salary after tax?
2) Should I park this in savings? Or is there a better financial instrument?
3) Is the emergency fund a higher priority than nuking the graduate school debt?
I appreciate your guidance. Keith, Plano, TX
Figuring out student loans and a home
Chris Farrell Feb 9, 2012
I have a dilemma that I hope you can offer some advice on: I am currently in the process of paying off some hefty student loans I accumulated while earning my bachelor's and master's degrees. I pay almost twice the required payment. (Please let me know if you need specific figures.) My husband and I would like to save for the down payment on a home to be purchased within 5 years. Would it be more advantageous for me to continue aggressively paying down the loans (fixed interest rate of 4.25 percent) or save as much as possible to apply to a home to be purchased in the near future? Michelle, Indianapolis, IN
