Emergency Fund – 5 Strategies To Apply If Your Emergency Fund Has Run Dry
While it’s true that fools and their money are soon parted, unforeseen circumstances can leave even the best of us with empty piggy banks. Coronavirus is prompting lockdowns around the world, and many people have found themselves with nothing to fall back on.
With countless salaries unpaid and retrenchments galore, bringing home the bacon has never been harder. Luckily, it isn’t the end of the world. You can still get back on your feet by applying these five simple strategies.
- On the House
Though low-interest loans have better terms, they’re not easy to sign up for, especially when the repayment of that loan is guaranteed by the roof over your head. The interest rate may be reasonable, but you should know there are fees for putting them in place. So, weigh your options and ensure you’ve gone through all the fine print before signing anything.
- Hedge Against Hunger
Have you considered the hedge fund at your place of work? Surely your employer has a retirement plan set up for you? At the end of the day, that money is yours – you’re just collecting it sooner than expected.
Accessing it is relatively straightforward. There are no background checks, and you won’t be charged any interest because it’s not a loan. Just know that pulling this money out is the same as opting out of an investment – you’ll be missing out on financial growth.
- Cash in Your Chips
Do you have any investments you can dip your fingers into? Maybe you’ve got some Bitcoin stashed away somewhere. Perhaps there’s an asset you can sell or rent? Such things increase and decrease in value all the time, and remember – you can always invest again when the dust of the global pandemic has settled.
- Cutting your Losses
Whenever you’re in financial doubt, you can almost always rely on credit cards. Though you don’t want to land yourself in long-term debt, if you make it a point to settle the bill in full every month, you can actually improve your financial situation by getting a credit card. Be mindful of interest rates, balance the books, and make sure you can handle taking on the debt.
- Banking on Mercy
Has it crossed your mind to talk to your creditors? Your bank should be able to pump the breaks on your loan until you can start making payments again. Banks are not monsters – you can come to an agreement if you take the time to explain your situation. As long as you don’t show signs of criminal intent, they should be willing to assist you.
Being unable to make a payment is not a crime – if you’ve been making payments every month without fail, chances are you can be trusted with a repayment pause.
If you don’t have a loan with the bank, why not take one now? You could always op for a personal loan, but the high-interest rates are something you should chew on before making a commitment. You don’t want to put yourself in a situation that’s worse than the one you’re in. After all, emergencies can often stretch out longer than anticipated.
Emergencies can bring out the worst or the best in you. How you react to the situation will determine your financial situation for years to come. What you do now can leave you up to your eyeballs in debt or it can leave you riding the gravy train. Choose wisely, see the other side of the coin, and don’t live beyond your means.
