Five Reasons to Have Money in a Savings Account

One financial recommendation clients sometimes think is boring and unnecessary is to have money in a savings account. We normally recommend that a working family have between three to six months of their living expenses in a savings account.  For a retired family, we recommend having up to one year of living expenses in a savings account. For a business or a nonprofit organization, we recommend they have at least one month of operating expenses in a savings account. With that in mind, here are five reasons why it makes sense to have money in a savings account:

1. For unexpected expenses

Whether you experience the loss of a job, unexpected healthcare costs, or an unexpected automobile repair, there always will be things that are unexpected financially.  If these costs are more then we can cover with our normal income, having money saved is a great way to cover these expenses.

2. To avoid borrowing

You may need a vehicle, want to go Christmas shopping, or just have some things that you want to fix up around your home.  If you don’t have money saved for these, you will need to borrow for these expenses.   By borrowing money for these expenses, you will have to pay for them over a number of months or years; and usually you will pay interest on the money borrowed. This may mean that a simple Christmas shopping trip could cost you a lot more then what you planned.

3.  To meet someone’s need by giving

Paul tells us in II Corinthians 9:8 that we should “have an abundance for every good deed”.  If your neighbor loses his job, the local fire company is having a fund drive, or your church asks you to consider helping a missionary that is in need, you can always be ready to give with money that is in a savings account.

4. Be able to take financial risks

Knowing that you have a surplus set aside in a savings account, allows you to take on the risk of losing money when initially opening a business, buying a real estate investment, or purchasing the stock of a company. Even if these investments lose value or fail, you can know that you have some stability by having money set aside in a savings account that is not at risk of being lost.

5.  God says that it’s wise to save

Proverbs 6:6-8  “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!  It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.”

The goal for money in a savings account is for it to be safe and available. That means the money is not at risk of being lost where it’s invested and you can get to it quickly if needed.  With that in mind, here are a few places to consider saving money.

1.  Your local bank savings or money market account

2.  An online bank savings or money market account

3.  A money market mutual fund

If you have questions on how much you should set aside in a savings account or where to invest it, please give our office a call. One of our advisors would be happy to talk with you.

by Ryan Kurtz