FITNews

Some Americans don't have any savings. These individuals or families may have to take out a personal loan for unexpected expenses. If they get blindsided by financial hardship, they might also ask to borrow money from a family member or friend if that's a viable option.

Virtually any financial expert will agree that you should put some money aside for emergencies if at all possible. That has been the case for years. The only thing that's different now is how much cash you should have in your emergency fund.

A survey has revealed the new minimum amount you should try to set aside. We'll talk about that number and its implications right now.

The Previous Emergency Expense Benchmark

For many years, financial consultants and other experts in the field said that you should try to have $400 set aside in an emergency fund. They warned families or individuals not to touch that money unless they had no choice.

However, most financial strategists feel that in 2022, $400 is not a realistic amount that should form the foundation of your emergency fund. They point to inflation as one of the main reasons why this number has changed. 

What's the New Number?

There is a reputable financial services company called LendingClub. Recently, they partnered with PYMNTS, a financial news site, for a new study. That study surveyed households that had to deal with sudden financial hardships. They determined that the new amount you should try to set aside for an emergency fund is $1,400.

$1,400 might seem arbitrary, but it's based on research. That number represents the mean average of what a family or individual can expect to pay if they're faced with an unexpected financial hardship in 2022.

That hardship might be a car breakdown and the subsequent repairs. It may be a plumbing disaster or a medical bill. The amount you'll pay in one of these situations might be more or less than $1,400, but this survey reveals that's a realistic starting point if you want to have a minimum amount set aside for emergencies. 

Why Does Having an Emergency Fund Matter?

If you don't have an emergency fund, financial experts say you're asking for trouble. You never know when a sudden expense will pop up. If your bank account is empty, you might have to borrow money from a credit card company if you don't have a family member or friend you can turn to for help.

Credit card companies often charge high-interest rates if you borrow money from them. Getting a payday loan isn't the best solution either, based on the fees that typically go along with that.

Now's the Time to Create an Emergency Fund

Virtually all financial experts and advisers agree that creating an emergency fund is something every individual and family should do. You can use $1,400, the number from this recent survey, as a jumping-off point. With that money readily available, you should feel immeasurably better about any sudden expense that arises. 

Once you have that $1,400, you can also continue setting money aside, just in case you run into any expense that amount doesn't cover. Most financial gurus will tell you to have three-six months of possible expenses put away, just in case you lose your job or something similar occurs. That three-six months of expenses should cover your rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, grocery budget, etc.

It's noteworthy that in 2022, the minimum amount that financial advisers say you should set aside for emergency expenses has gone from $400 to $1,400. It's reasonable to assume that number will only keep going up as we progress further into this century.

TruChoice Financial Group, LLC

TruChoice Financial Group, LLC, one of the largest distributors of insurance products in the financial services industry, is enhancing their Specialized Products Division (SPD) to help qualified financial professionals and broker-dealer networks better navigate the ever-growing suite of registered index-linked annuities (RILAs).

"Our dedicated RILA wholesaling team provides powerful RILA support and solutions so you can deliver precise, informed recommendations to your clients," said Steve Bates, senior VP of sales development at TruChoice. "With RILAs maintaining their two-year run as the fastest-growing segment of the annuity space, TruChoice remains committed to staying at the forefront of this quickly evolving marketplace."

In addition to the dedicated wholesaling team of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)-registered, insurance-licensed professionals offering solutions from top industry carriers, financial professionals have access to innovative tools and resources, including a suite of consumer marketing platforms, multimedia sales tools, lead generation programs, and access to consultative marketing specialists. The latest enhancements to the available support options include a newly redesigned website and a FINRA-reviewed animated consumer video that can help explain the benefits of RILAs to clients and prospects.

"We're excited to release our newest animated video for distribution," said Scott Wheeler, chief marketing officer at TruChoice. "Our previous animated video offerings have been popular, as evidenced by the hundreds of videos we have customized with logos and company information. Our goal is to provide effective tools to financial professionals to help them better serve their clients."

For more information on TruChoice's SPD, visit www.truchoicespecialized.com or email solutions@tcspecialized.com. To learn more about TruChoice, visit www.TruChoiceFinancial.com, or call 800.237.0263. TruChoice Financial can also be followed on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

TruChoice Media Contact:
Chris Cowan
678.718.1951
mediarelations@truchoicefinancial.com