3 Things You Need to Know about an Emergency Fund | Fidelity

Life is full of surprises, and building an emergency fund can help you better prepare for whatever comes your way. Watch this video to learn more about starting your emergency savings today. To find more tips about investing for beginners, visit: https://fidelity.com/mymoney To see more videos from Fidelity Investments, subscribe to: https://www.youtube.com/fidelityinvestments Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fidelityinvestments Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/fidelity Google+: https://plus.google.com/+fidelity LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fidelity-investments ______________________________________________________________________________ Life is full of surprises, but you can be better prepared to handle them by building an emergency fund. Think of it as your financial safety net—a reliable source of money when you need it, so you don’t have to resort to credit cards and loans. It’s part of any good financial plan! Here are three things to know about an emergency fund: 1. HOW much to save We suggest saving at least 3 to 6 months of living expenses. It may take time to get there and that’s okay. The important thing is to start today with what you can afford, and then build your way up to 5% of your paycheck. A helpful tip is to take advantage of automatic deposits—which help you put away a little bit each pay period without even thinking about it. 2. WHERE to keep your money To avoid the temptation of tapping into your emergency fund for day‐to‐day expenses, we suggest keeping your money in a separate account. Consider a savings or money market account so you have an easy way to access your cash when you need it, while you earn some interest in the meantime. 3. WHAT to use it for Only use your emergency fund for true emergencies—like health expenses, critical home and auto repairs, or paying essential expenses after a job loss. If you do have an emergency, be sure to replenish the money you use so it will be there for next time. Life happens. But an emergency fund can help you weather the unexpected and turn a potential financial catastrophe into an inconvenience. Together, we can help you build a strong financial foundation so you’re more prepared to face life’s unknowns. Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Member NYSE, SIPC, 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917 709644.2.0

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