Should I Save for My Emergency Fund or Pay Off Debt?

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  • Опубліковано 27 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 108

  • @sourdoughsavant22
    @sourdoughsavant22 Рік тому +94

    As Caleb Hammer likes to say, "Not having an emergency fund IS an emergency!"

  • @kam1wess
    @kam1wess Рік тому +29

    I like how it didn’t take you 5 minutes to get to the point. Thanks for saving time

  • @Jedislayer_
    @Jedislayer_ Рік тому +75

    Had 10k left in debt and 12k in savings just decided to pay off the debt definitely weight off my shoulders and am gonna re build my e fund.

    • @alaska340
      @alaska340 Рік тому +12

      smart! still have 2k left

    • @Jedislayer_
      @Jedislayer_ Рік тому +18

      @@alaska340 thanks! Been debt free for 5 months now! Almost back to the 12k in my savings for the e fund. Cheers!

    • @trippin9298
      @trippin9298 9 місяців тому +3

      ​@@Jedislayer_ congrats!!🎉

  • @patrickpearl169
    @patrickpearl169 Рік тому +13

    A months rent here locally ,for a one bedroom is between 1250 to 2000 a month rent alone not including car groceries etc

  • @shanisafan
    @shanisafan 10 місяців тому +7

    I have an 18 month emergency fund. I think I will drop it down to 12 months. I am not willing to go any lower.

    • @yeahdude1986
      @yeahdude1986 10 місяців тому +2

      just wondering, why so much?

    • @shanisafan
      @shanisafan 10 місяців тому +1

      @@yeahdude1986 In this job market, if I lose my job it might take me up to a year to find a new job paying what I make or higher. I've found this to be true in the tech sector. I don't want to be desperate to take the first job that comes my way due to not having enough in savings. Also, I am a risk averse person. I would rather have something and not need it than need it and not have it.

  • @ShenitaRamos
    @ShenitaRamos Рік тому +16

    rent is $1800, internet is $180, etc.. my numbers are so high!

  • @o.c.g.m9426
    @o.c.g.m9426 Рік тому +15

    If your under 40 and you live in or near a city & your childless DONT GET A CAR !!! I asked 3 different people today about car cost ALL 3 SAID $800/MONTH 😢.

    • @silverplug
      @silverplug Рік тому +8

      Or just buy it outright. Don't have car payments.

    • @islandboy4445
      @islandboy4445 8 місяців тому +1

      I bought a ten year old used prius and had a decent down payment. It was about $7500 total when it was all paid off, including all the paperwork it required for purchase and the monthly payment was about $150. My full coverage insurance was about $120 for a long while. I will say that I bought it in 2020, so things have gone up, of course.
      I tried to pay more than the minimum whenever I could, but the minimum expenses were approximately $270 + $50-$80 per month for gas, when I would fill up completely every two weeks, during which I had to commute 20 minutes every day to get to work.
      Don't get me wrong, this was absolutely a privilege, but it was doable. A lot of this is influenced by my area, but I was basically in a big city, just outside.
      Having grown up poor and in a household with no car until after I graduated (not mine if course), it blows my mind that ANYONE would EVEN CONSIDER getting a new car or even one that's a year or two old. Especially ones that aren't fuel efficient because either get don't care, don't consider it, don't really grasp how much you'll use regularly, or, and more specific to my car, "pRiUSeS LoOk StUPiD." That's where you get payments/costs that are like $800. You do have to get oil changes maybe every 3-6 mo, and get car tabs once a year. I have sinking funds for these. I'll for it is synthetic, so at a regular oil place it's about $120 to get done, but I have a regular mechanic I've gone to for years who charges me $65. This can wish be done on your own if you're willing. The tabs come in at just under $200 for me.
      Is it for everyone, no. It's it available to everyone, no. But it's absolutely possible if you're smart about what you're buying, too get it for WAY cheaper than what they're telling you.
      My advice: buy a good car that's old, that you plan to pay off. Before this I had my first prius, which was a gen 1 2001 model. It had nearly 300,000 miles on it and it finally died due to poor maintenance. (Ice learned a lot about cars, priuses, and priorities since then). I had it until 2020 and got it for $3000, or about $3500 with all the paperwork. She was a beut, I miss her, and she was a great car to make work for me for several years. Had very few problems over that time, it was literally just the engine that died. I've been told by other prius owners and dealerships that they've seen some of them last up to 400,000 miles, from every gen.
      Didn't mean to make this into a comment about how great priuses are, I just think it helps my point.

  • @Tashas_Travels
    @Tashas_Travels Рік тому +41

    I was actually doing both, I owe my mom so thank God she's not a bank.
    I just managed to save up my first $1000 emergency fund, so from August I will simultaneously be saving 6 months worth of living expenses at $50 a month for 1 year & paying off the $1300 that I owe my mom at $100 a month.
    After I pay that off then I will channel the $100 towards my 6 months worth of living expenses and put $150 monthly.
    From little things big things grow 😊

    • @o.c.g.m9426
      @o.c.g.m9426 Рік тому

      Yes sir....remember Tsunami's that roll over entire countries start as ripples in the middle of the ocean 🙌🏾💪🏿🇺🇸

  • @bigsky5526
    @bigsky5526 10 місяців тому +1

    Brilliant!😀

  • @kevinrehberg8758
    @kevinrehberg8758 Рік тому +3

    Long time saver/debt free... Lost nearly all of my nest egg in the disability process and had to rebuild my EF after I paid off my existing CC debt and medical bills. It's been 13 years since the benefits kicked in and I have had just a couple of "monthly interest" CC payments as I added $125.00 monthly to the EF/CD Ladder. The ladder was 60 months long and in $100-125 increments at one point.. It came in handy too it paid my share of the cataract surgeries that Medicare didn't cover..
    Today I am investing my pensions.. about $400 monthly since I have grown accustomed/tolerant of the frugal lifestyle and in two years have 11K in investments and a 10K EF/CD Ladder. I still add to the EF $125.00 monthly.. but it's only a 1/3rd of what I put into investments

  • @itisim
    @itisim Рік тому +1

    The best advice i heard

  • @fewsproducts
    @fewsproducts Рік тому +1

    Thank you so much for the information you provide! I have learned a lot so far. I just found your channel today and subscribed. I’m really glad I did. Thank you 🙏💕

  • @HajraUmmiof3
    @HajraUmmiof3 4 місяці тому

    I like this. You have to start somewhere and everyone’s income and expenses are different.

  • @AshtasticAcrobat
    @AshtasticAcrobat 7 місяців тому +4

    What about high interest debt? Aren’t you paying more in the long run the longer you don’t pay those off?

  • @gageramsey2200
    @gageramsey2200 6 місяців тому +2

    This was great video!!

  • @noahsiegle1058
    @noahsiegle1058 Рік тому +16

    Once I get my debt paid down, I want a whole year's worth, which is around 11,000. I should have all my student loans paid off by next May

  • @fewsproducts
    @fewsproducts Рік тому +2

    Do you used Ally money market account?

  • @isaiah58cry
    @isaiah58cry Рік тому +1

    Thank you

  • @cliftonhammock1152
    @cliftonhammock1152 11 місяців тому +10

    Being in debt is an Emergency !!!! Get Rid Of It !!!!

    • @barchetta575m
      @barchetta575m 6 місяців тому +5

      I followed Dave Ramsey's baby steps. Life changer

  • @ALTMIX2
    @ALTMIX2 2 місяці тому +2

    Doesn’t make sense to me to save up emergency fund while interest and fees builds up on your loans….

  • @malloryross4829
    @malloryross4829 Рік тому +20

    This has helped my husband & I so much! Thank you for your videos! We now have $6500 in our emergency fund. A 3 month emergency fund would be $9000, we are getting closer & will hit that goal in 2 months!

  • @antonioherreraiii8352
    @antonioherreraiii8352 Рік тому +152

    Just fully funded my 12,000 emergency fund!!! No debt and starting to save for a house!

  • @eyebrow1
    @eyebrow1 Рік тому +2

    Very informative video. Thank you. Subbed and thumbs up!

  • @rushdynet1
    @rushdynet1 10 місяців тому +1

    I have an investment property and my home , both have large mortgages.. the investment property is not profitable yet as interest rates are high.. should I keep it? Or sell it and pay off a big church of my home loan ?

  • @c.parker8439
    @c.parker8439 4 місяці тому

    I've noticed that my car repair bill has averaged around $1400-$1700. So, that's my target account to save. How much does your repair place charge you per hour, or how much is the flat fee? This is important to know. Good luck

  • @tcshy1903
    @tcshy1903 Рік тому +3

    I struggle with this. I have money saved up. I have debt. I don't want to wipe out all of my money to pay debt. Emergencies do happen. My HVAC system burned up this Summer. It cost $10,000 to replace.

    • @jimmybeatworld
      @jimmybeatworld Рік тому

      I’m in the same spot, I’m paying my debt but my E-Fund is 20K. I could use that to wipe out my car but I could easily live off that 20K if I needed to and my job can be unstable during tough economic times.

    • @Blittsplitt5
      @Blittsplitt5 6 місяців тому

      Get rid of the debt coward

  • @D_Roadtrip_Productions
    @D_Roadtrip_Productions Рік тому +2

    6 to 12 months Emergency fund? seems like every $1k saved is interest expense through the roof. at least I have tons saved away to HSA account for medical. then Congress went and said Medical doesn't count against credit report. they could not say that to Student loans as well? i know, I went down a long lonely road with this one!

  • @amandataylor682
    @amandataylor682 Рік тому +7

    I've saved $1000. I'm going to pay off my credit card before savings 3 months of expenses solely because I can pay off the credit card in 2 months.

  • @MariaGarcia-gv8hj
    @MariaGarcia-gv8hj Рік тому +26

    Thanks for increasing my knowledge in personal finance and investment, I recently subscribed to your channel. I want to give a big shout-out to all those working tirelessly to earn a living and build wealth during this recession. My husband and I are both retired and debt-free, and we're living smart and frugal with our money. Despite the recession, we're still earning passive income thanks to our savings and investments in the financial market. Investing lifestyle has enabled us to earn a steady monthly income through passive means, and we're grateful for it."

    • @martyedgar4678
      @martyedgar4678 Рік тому

      Congratulations on your early retirement. Right now, I could really use some investment advice or tips on investing. Last year I hesitated until the year ended without making any move. This year I decided to try something because I'm very open to ideas on how I can invest. When I see your comment I believe that you have an experience in it that could be of great help to me. Hope you don't mind sharing?

    • @MariaGarcia-gv8hj
      @MariaGarcia-gv8hj Рік тому

      @@martyedgar4678 That's not a problem at all! I would advise you to determine your investment horizon, but I recommend a long-term plan if you are looking to make a lot of profit on your investment. I created a long term investment plan with Claire Martha Magalhaes who helped me invest and manage my investment while getting on with my job without worry.

    • @martyedgar4678
      @martyedgar4678 Рік тому

      @@MariaGarcia-gv8hj Thank you for your advice. It's challenging to find a reliable investment advisor, and I appreciate your input. Seeing the successes you've achieved through investing, I would love to have access to your investment advisor's information if you wouldn't mind sharing it.

    • @MariaGarcia-gv8hj
      @MariaGarcia-gv8hj Рік тому

      @@martyedgar4678 I work with *CLAIRE MARTHA MAGALHAES* ,who is based in the United States. If you would like more information about her, you can conduct a search online.

    • @AlejandroPerez-vw8dr
      @AlejandroPerez-vw8dr Рік тому

      Working with a skilled financial planner can be compared to having a mentor in the field of finance. I used to struggle to invest on my own and ended up losing money, but things changed once I started working with Claire Martha Magalhaes. She played a pivotal role in helping me improve my financial situation. Previously, I relied solely on my job and salary for income, but now I have found ways to generate additional income with ease, which has allowed me to leave traditional employment. Nowadays, I believe that investing is not a choice, but a necessity for anyone who desires financial independence and a good quality of life.

  • @twistnloc3247
    @twistnloc3247 Рік тому +4

    I’m aiming at 9600. That’s three months for me and I’m using my part time jobs to fund it

  • @daniamani2799
    @daniamani2799 Рік тому +9

    The timing on this video was just perfect! My husband and I are expecting some major life changes in the next year with jobs and family and want to really focus on our emergency fund savings. I agree that $1000 just is not nearly enough.
    I just opened up our Ally savings account! It was SO easy to open. We are aiming for $10k-$15 for our savings. (We live in CA and basic living expenses plus our debt payments is just so expensive). I’ve been binging your channel and we are using your budget spreadsheet - with a few tweaks! Thanks so much! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

  • @napadaanlng69
    @napadaanlng69 8 місяців тому

    Can you save money while paying off low monthly debt from credit card?

  • @jtowles5409
    @jtowles5409 Рік тому +6

    great video, I like to keep 5,500 in a savings account and would like to get to 8,500

  • @cgm246
    @cgm246 Рік тому +3

    All the money fees you mentioned are DOUBLE what you say costs are!!!

  • @RJoelDOrr
    @RJoelDOrr 2 місяці тому +2

    Saving up enough to float yourself or your family for 3 months while in debt is crazy lol pay off the debt

  • @derekwolfgang158
    @derekwolfgang158 9 місяців тому

    Uno de los mejores consejos de finanzas, feliz de encontrar

  • @FairBeautyEssentials
    @FairBeautyEssentials Рік тому +5

    DANG. This was really good!!Thank you so much for clarity. My sister has currently $1000 emergency saved up, I sent her this video, and she immediately cancelled her extra big debt payments back down to the minimums and my sister put small that extra big funds towards building up her emergency saving even further, bigger, and quicker.. My sister thanked me for sending this video and she feels soooo much better now!! MAN-OH-NAN!!! We do not learn this on school!!!

  • @Captainsaucebuckle
    @Captainsaucebuckle Місяць тому

    My expenses are double or more of the examples given.

  • @MelMel-28
    @MelMel-28 6 місяців тому +1

    I’m aiming for 3-6 months of Emergency Funds.

  • @cherylm.6448
    @cherylm.6448 Рік тому +2

    Great tips. Would you suggest investing the emergency funds in safe stocks?

    • @MamaHarperr
      @MamaHarperr Рік тому +4

      Many finance experts suggest keeping your emergency fund liquid so that it is quickly accessible, so usually not in stocks.

    • @1xlina
      @1xlina Рік тому +1

      No!!!

    • @kevinrehberg8758
      @kevinrehberg8758 Рік тому

      A laymans perspective.. Keep most of the EF in a CD Ladder.. you don't make as much as investing but the security is absolute.. Lots of little steps too, because emergencies aren't always the same size, and you would only liquidate AS needed...

  • @JohnSmith-dj5gf
    @JohnSmith-dj5gf 3 місяці тому

    I’m shooting for $20k in my e-fund to cover an HVAC unit needing to be replaced.

  • @stephenroberts2526
    @stephenroberts2526 Рік тому +2

    If you don't need brick and mortar locations, SoFi has some pretty decent APYs right now. 2.5% for checking and 3.75% for savings.

  • @lorphic777
    @lorphic777 Рік тому +3

    I stated with the emergency fund first

  • @ashleywilliams1632
    @ashleywilliams1632 Рік тому +5

    I'm glad you made this video at this time. I'm debating about which one because doing both at the same time is overwhelming. Plus trying to finance my small business 100% in cash. The debt is decreasing but my emergency fund non-existing no sinking funds. I look forward to watching this video as I am getting ready to budget for March

  • @electricpenguin32
    @electricpenguin32 Рік тому +17

    I am aiming for 5k in my emergency fund, which would be 3 months of living expenses for my husband and I. I am about halfway there 🎉

    • @jeromeharris5197
      @jeromeharris5197 7 місяців тому +1

      3 months ? Where you living lol smh

    • @electricpenguin32
      @electricpenguin32 7 місяців тому

      @@jeromeharris5197Somewhere nobody else wants to apparently lol

  • @jared_does_hardmoney
    @jared_does_hardmoney Рік тому +1

    IMO generalized advice typically isn't good advice. There are a lot of factors that come into play; how consistent is your income? How liquid are your assets? How much interest are you paying on your debt? What's your risk tolerance? In my experience, usually the underlying question here is "Should I focus on paying off my credit cards, or start my emergency fund?" My answer would be to pay off your credit cards because if you do have an emergency that comes up... you can use your credit card as a worst case scenario.

  • @jenna5488
    @jenna5488 Рік тому +1

    Do you include debt in your emergency fund? Like student loan payments?

    • @TheSpringboardVlog
      @TheSpringboardVlog Рік тому +1

      There are a lot of different opinions about what an emergency fund should be. Expenses or salary? I tend to side with the opinion that the emergency fund should be a minimum of 6 months of SALARY as opposed to simple expenses since a job loss is perhaps the greatest emergency, and having the salary considered as opposed to just expenses offers a bit more cushion. Granted, if you have any bill you must pay on a regular basis, that's an expense and should be part of what's in your emergency fund. IMO expenses are all monthly expenses you will incur, not just select ones. I hope that helps.

  • @vicahmed221
    @vicahmed221 Рік тому +1

    No doubts, a good way of growing and saving your money is through investing . You don't need to have much before you can invest."That little money you have now can make you millions if you invest it wisely". I wasnt financial free until my 40’s and I’m still in my 40’s, bought my second house already, earn on a monthly through passive income and got 4 out of 5 goals, just hope it encourages someone that it doesn’t matter if you don’t have any of them right now, you can start TODAY regardless your age INVEST and change your future! Investing is a grand choice I made..

    • @eadad4371
      @eadad4371 Рік тому

      Nice one Vicahmed,any investment tip?. I would love to know how you made it this far

    • @vicahmed221
      @vicahmed221 Рік тому

      😊Generally, investing requires higher knowledge. For this reason, It's important to have a solid support structure (financial consultant) to guide you through especially in asset picking. I operate with (Regina Louise Collaro) an investment advisor who partners with a licensed wealth management firm. For the record, the experience has been the best for my finance.She is quite popular for her services so you might have heard of her.
      She made me financially stable investing through her help, now I earn on a monthly basis through her passive income strategy... So I’ll advise you do get a good Investment advisor for yourself.

    • @ugojazzy7812
      @ugojazzy7812 Рік тому

      I've come across stories of individuals seeking assistance from investment advisors to enhance their financial stability, so it seems like your investment advisor is quite competent. Could you please share more information about this individual

  • @LittleOlMo
    @LittleOlMo 4 місяці тому

    Savings first is best. You don’t get rewarded by these companies for good payment history, so if anything comes up and you can’t make your payments that month they still penalize you and your broke struggling on top of that.

  • @blackbutterfly233ify
    @blackbutterfly233ify Рік тому

    1k wasn't meant to be the only starter emergency fund. It was meant to motivate people to up their fund, not sit on it

  • @lildasani
    @lildasani Рік тому +4

    Pay off your debt first and that your rid of that Minus and then go fund your future.

  • @kathryncashner3294
    @kathryncashner3294 8 місяців тому +1

    If your phone is $70, get a cheaper phone plan. I have unlimited call, text, and wifi for $30 per month.

  • @jeromeharris5197
    @jeromeharris5197 7 місяців тому +1

    2 years worth of living expenses set aside ??? Whaaaat.. they don’t need to be watching this video..

  • @3813-t5t
    @3813-t5t Рік тому

    $9300 // $12000 -- as soon as i finish will be saving for my roof

  • @lucasjohnstone1272
    @lucasjohnstone1272 3 місяці тому

    $18k is my goal and then automatically take 5% post tax paycheck auto deposit so they don’t close my savings account due to inactivity.

  • @ambivertical
    @ambivertical Рік тому

    Do you have any financial expert credentials? Or just someone sharing their opinion because you paid off debts?

    • @DemocracyOfficer2485
      @DemocracyOfficer2485 10 місяців тому

      40 seconds in and it’s a dipshit who had everything paid for them. “Stop paying down debt and save” in the opening was a massive red flag to this person giving horrible financial advice

  • @biancaj.d.148
    @biancaj.d.148 Рік тому

    The thing is: "Normal" debts like a bank credit could be paused/delayed and the only costs are the interest rates that will ad up in this month...
    Other debt like credit card debt or an unpaid bill will explode! Credit cards (at least over here) have like 15-20% interest, unpaid bills will get high fees, then double (inkasso, I think Foreclosure could be the same thing in US? and when a court gets involved you have to pay like five or ten times the thing...)
    I once was struggling really bad with money and a 24€ unpaid bill cost me more than 500€ in the end... 🤷🏻‍♀️

  • @louisah6020
    @louisah6020 Рік тому +2

    good luck finding rent for $950 in any decent Canadian city..you can barely rent a room for that price

  • @daug1783
    @daug1783 Рік тому +1

    Inflation is eating up my savings

    • @sourdoughsavant22
      @sourdoughsavant22 Рік тому

      Hopefully the YT channel Under the Median can help! They have lots of very creative ways to cut expenses
      May not be comfortable for awhile but provides a little more security!

  • @joemeyer2726
    @joemeyer2726 Рік тому +6

    Baby steps, #1 $1k emergency #2 pay debt

    • @joemeyer2726
      @joemeyer2726 Рік тому

      @@theinevitableend9412 garage sale and go to work

  • @calibby85
    @calibby85 Рік тому +2

    Dave Ramsey's $1,000 emergency fund is a total joke. That is not enough for a month for ANYONE.

    • @blackbutterfly233ify
      @blackbutterfly233ify Рік тому +2

      have you actually watched his videos on this? if you are actually smart, you would know he says 1k is a STARTING EMERGENCY FUND, not for people to live on

  • @DemocracyOfficer2485
    @DemocracyOfficer2485 10 місяців тому

    lol yeah stop paying your debt good idea

  • @lucuslopez6866
    @lucuslopez6866 Рік тому +1

    Paying off debt is not cool. Stay in debt and be cool.

  • @edster512
    @edster512 Рік тому

    If you lose your job before you’ve managed to save that emergency fund, your fund isn’t going to cover your debt repayments because they’re not being accounted for as you never included any debt repayments in your first goal, the math doesn’t add up.
    My advice would be polar opposite to what your video suggests, pay off interest incurring debt first, doing this actually saves you money in the longer term. Focus on being debt free first and foremost, I can’t stress how important this is.
    An emergency fund doesn’t prevent you from getting into debt if you’re already in debt.
    Pay your debts first.

    • @smilesnluvd6526
      @smilesnluvd6526 Рік тому +1

      If you have debt payments, you would include them. This fictional person is debt free. I don't see anything unrealistic.

  • @InfiniteVelocityUSA
    @InfiniteVelocityUSA Рік тому

    Emergency funds should be stored in PUAs of whole life IBC style life insurance. -@InfiniteVelocityUSA