Running on Empty
If you are like us, that is the status of your emergency fund. Empty. Nada. Zippo. Verrrry low.
One of our financial goals this year is to build this fund up. Our first step in doing this was to determine our Net Worth. Net Worth is everything you own minus everything you have, but don’t own (e.g. your debt).
I have created a simple excel spreadsheet for calculating your Net Worth. If you would like a copy, let me know in the comments and I will email you it.
The goal is to
1) slowly build on your Net Worth every year, and
2) have three months worth of living expenses readily available.
Since I have not had any financial emergencies in my life thus far, knock on our new Prius, I have not been very diligent about keeping up this fund. I needed that $3500 row boat, we had to have, the honeymoon in Italy, we couldn’t do without, the addition on the house. So every time we are not broke, we make ourselves broke.
And it is fun, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
But, alas, we are back to Square One on the Emergency Fund.
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Comment by Shannan on 21 May 2008:
I know exactly what you mean. During the past few years, I’ve been able to have some amazing experiences all over the world, I have debt to show for it, and I’m happy I did it. I do wish I had done things different years prior to save up and pay cash for everything, but I’m glad I didn’t pass up those opportunities for lack of cash. In the future, however, I’m going to be much more create about my ways and means so that the cash is on hand when I need it!
Comment by Lisa on 22 May 2008:
@ Shannon- what an interesting life! I can see why all the debt was worth it. If I had that opportunity, I’m sure I would do the same. Thanks for coming by my blog. Lisa