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washingtonpost OP t1_j5vfh8d wrote

Great question. I do.

  1. Build a healthy emergency fund. Aim for at least 1 month if funds are tight, 3 to 6 months if you’ve got some cushion in your budget. If you are a highly compensated employee/self-employed person try for 12 months to 18 months. And I know that’s a lot of dough, but higher earners when they lose their job or income spend that much time get back to that same earnings level
  2. Life happens fund. Different from emergency fund, which I call, “I lost my job” fund. This is the pot you tap when your car breaks down, etc. This way you can leave the emergency fund for something dire
  3. Retirement account. Save as much as you can, as soon as you can.
  4. College fund if you got kids. My husband and I did this starting when our kids were wee little ones. Saved for 20 years mostly in 529 plan. Had enough to send all 3 to college with no debt, plus one to graduate school. Savings and scholarships did the job.
  5. Non-retirement investment account. Pay for our cars with cash/earnings built up by investing over the years.
  6. Fun money. So we can take vacations, etc. without building up debt
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misersoze t1_j5wmmeo wrote

HSAs are good to have on that list too if people have HDHPs

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