Life doesn’t always go as planned, but an emergency fund can help you stay financially secure. Women face unique challenges like pay gaps, career breaks, and caregiving, making the need for this safety net even more important. A crucial part of financial security is knowing where your money comes from, as highlighted in Rights. Equality. Empowerment., a recent whitepaper focused on strengthening women’s finances. The more you understand your finances, the better prepared you’ll be. While having an emergency fund is important, it is equally important to avoid these common mistakes while building one.
Not Saving Enough
An emergency fund must be adequate to meet your changing needs and should ideally be able to cover 6-9 months’ worth of essential expenses. Review your monthly expenses to identify non-negotiable expenses such as rent, utilities, EMI payments, healthcare or childcare, and set a reasonable target for your fund.
Ignoring Impact Of Inflation
Rising living costs impact your purchasing power and savings. For instance, an emergency fund that was sufficient in 2015 is unlikely to be sufficient in 2025. That is why it is crucial to review your fund periodically and adjust it to align with your evolving needs and rise in costs.
Spending Without Restoring
Your emergency fund is like your savings-it goes down if you dip into it, and must be replenished whenever it is used. If you’ve had to your emergency fund, making small but regular contributions can help you restore it so you are well prepared for any future emergency.
Choosing The Wrong Saving Avenue
Can you access your emergency fund quickly when needed? Is it safe? Will it grow while it sits untouched? Choosing the right place for building your safety reserve is important. Instruments like liquid mutual funds, high-interest savings accounts, or flexible fixed deposits are some options that balance liquidity and security while also offering some returns.
Using It For Non-Essentials
When facing a cash crunch, prioritising essentials is crucial and the same applies to your emergency fund. Using it for non-urgent expenses like dining out, getting premium subscriptions, or gadget upgrades can deplete your fund, leaving you financially unprepared for any future emergency. To avoid that, discuss with your family what qualifies as an emergency and what expenses your fund should cover.
Thinking You Don’t Need One
No matter how stable your income is or how well you manage your money, a safety net is essential for unexpected setbacks. An emergency fund is key to financial independence—it helps you stay prepared and avoid relying on high-interest credit during a crisis.
Whatever path you choose—building a career, managing a family, or planning for a career break—a safety net is indispensable. Avoiding some common mistakes will help you build an emergency fund that allows you to be in control and gives you the confidence to handle whatever challenges life gives you.
(The author is the Senior Manager - Communications at BankBazaar.com. This article has been published as part of a special arrangement with BankBazaar)