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Congress moves to boost rainy day funds for workers

Included in the $1.7 trillion spending bill Congress recently passed are measures to help grow workers’ emergency savings.
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The federal spending bill could make it easier to save for emergencies

Dec 22, 2022
Employers that offer retirement plans would also be able to offer a separate emergency savings plan.
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Almost half of American households are unable to save for emergencies

Jul 25, 2017
And many don't have enough to cover basic needs for three months.
A mother and her child at the West Side Campaign Against Hunger food bank in New York City. 
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Middle class, but "asset poor"

Sep 17, 2014
Nearly half of households in major U.S. cities are “liquid asset poor."

What happened to the culture of saving?

Nov 27, 2013
When 40 percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, you have to wonder why saving money is so difficult. Marketplace Money’s Carmen Wong Ulrich points to declining wages, but she also says the culture of saving was lost.

Encouraging new ways to save

Jul 19, 2013
Cities and other organizations are looking for new ways to encourage people to save for the future.

Safety Net Confessionals: My get-out-of-jail-free card

Jun 28, 2013
Listener Kurt Deutscher, a 49-year-old web developer who grew up in a low-income family in Portland, Oregon, discusses his economic safety net, which came in the form of a unique graduation gift.

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Emergency fund in retirement

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

Savings bonds and emergency funds

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

Fewer Americans saving for emergencies

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.