Store Your Emergency Savings In A Money Market Account

May 6, 2019

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David Bach is one of America’s most prolific and bestselling financial authors of our time who has helped millions around the world learn how to live and finish rich through his books, seminars, television appearances.
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Emergency Savings

No, your emergency savings doesn’t belong under your mattress.

According to troubling research from the Federal Reserve, nearly half of Americans wouldn’t have enough money on hand to cover a $400 emergency.

“No matter how well you plan or how positively you think, there are always things out of your control that can go wrong,” David Bach writes in his bestseller “The Automatic Millionaire,” which is being re-released this December.

“People lose their jobs, their health, their spouses. The economy can go sour, the stock market can drop, businesses can go bankrupt. Circumstances change. If there’s anything you can count on, it’s that life is filled with unexpected changes,” wrote Bach, who has spent 25 years in the wealth management industry and became a millionaire by age 30 by increasing his automated savings over several years.

Bach recommends building up an emergency fund with at least three months’ worth of expenses. Now, don’t stash it under your mattress, or even in a traditional checking or savings account, he says.

Bach says the best place to keep your emergency fund is in a money market account. It will keep your money safe and liquid, he says, and you could earn an interest rate of 1%, compared with the much lower 0.01% on a traditional savings account. These accounts can offer a higher interest rate because they usually require a minimum balance, which can vary widely depending on the bank (and if you dip under the minimum, you may incur a monthly fee). Check out NerdWallet’s list of the best online money market accounts for options.

Most importantly, he told Business Insider in a recent Facebook Live interview, “the key to the emergency account [is] don’t have an ATM card and don’t have a checking account.” This way, “there’s a better chance you won’t touch” the money before a true emergency, he said.

Additional reporting by Kathleen Elkins.

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Hey there, I’m David.

Thank you. Over the past 30 years, I've had the privilege of reaching over 100 million people through my books, podcast, and media appearances. I've written 12 national bestsellers including The Automatic Millionaire®, Smart Women Finish Rich®, and The Latte Factor—with over 7 million copies sold in more than 20 languages. 

I've been honored to appear on NBC's Today Show over 100 times and have been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, Fox News, CNBC, and more. My work has been profiled in The New York Times, Forbes, TIME, and The Wall Street Journal. 

What has always driven me and still does is this: I want to help you live and finish rich. Whether you're just starting out or looking to make smarter financial choices, I'm here to guide you with real conversations and proven strategies.

At seven, my grandma handed me a stock certificate instead of a Happy Meal. That moment sparked my lifelong mission: to help you take control of your money and build lasting wealth.

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Bach Wisdom & Sixteen Timeless Truths

These truths have come from over 30 years of learning. Mostly from experience and also mentors. Feel free to pass them along.