{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Emergency Funds vs. Sinking Funds \u2013 Which One Should You Prioritize?","description":"The best way to prepare for future expenses is to save for them in advance. Emergency Funds help cover unexpected expenses and emergencies outside of your everyday spending. Sinking funds help you achieve short-term savings goals.  Both funds are essential for families, but which one should you prioritize?  An emergency fund is money saved and set aside for emergency expenses you encounter outside of your regular spending.  A sinking fund is money saved and set aside for short-term savings goals and one-time expenses.  We use both as part of our money management strategy as a family. Having an emergency fund has helped our family escape some financial jams over the years. Without it, we would've had to use budgeted money to cover costly emergency expenses or take on credit card debt.  Sinking funds have been a revelation for us. We use them all the time to help us reach short-term savings goals, like saving for vacations, home improvements and repairs, birthday and holiday gifts, and school and youth sports fees.  Using emergency and sinking funds can improve your finances and help you develop better savings habits. We're excited to tackle this vital topic to help you on your family money adventure.  In this episode, we discuss what emergency funds and sinking funds are, the purpose of each, and which fund to prioritize.  Takeaways In This Episode, You'll Learn:  The benefits of emergency funds and sinking funds When to use your emergency fund Tips for setting up an emergency fund and sinking funds  Catch These Must-Listen Moments From The Episode [04:52] Examples of short-term goals we used sinking funds to reach [08:03] How much money you should keep in your emergency fund [08:32] Why you should keep these funds separate from your other money [10:56] How to automate your savings   \ud83c\udfa7 Resources & Links from This Episode  \ud83d\udcf0 Subscribe to the Newsletter  Get practical tips on family money and travel, plus updates, tools, and resources to help you live more intentionally.  Click here to subscribe  Visit My Websites  FamilyMoneyAdventure.com  JoyWorldTour.com  HeyKevinPayne.com  Connect With Me on Social  Instagram: @heykevinpayne  Facebook: @heykevinpayne  TikTok: @heykevinpayne  YouTube: @heykevinpayne  Featured Series  \ud83c\udf99\ufe0f Listen to Our Disney Podcast Series  \ud83e\uddf3 Travel Tools I Love  Packing Cubes & Travel Backpacks \u2013 Tripped Travel Gear Hotels \u2013 Booking.com  Vacation Rentals \u2013 Vrbo  Attractions & Tours \u2013 Viator  Attractions & Tours \u2013 Get Your Guide Theme Park Tickets \u2013 Undercover Tourist City Passes \u2013 CityPASS  Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tours \u2013 Big Bus Tours Travel Insurance \u2013 InsureMyTrip  RV Rentals \u2013 RVShare  \ud83d\udcb8 Money Tools I Recommend  Rewards Credit Cards \u2013 Explore My Favorites Budgeting Apps for Families \u2013 See Our Top Picks High-Yield Savings \u2013 CIT Bank Savings Connect  High-Yield Savings & CDs \u2013 Raisin  Kids\u2019 Banking \u2013 Greenlight  Micro-Investing \u2013 Acorns  Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you sign up or make a purchase at no extra cost to you.  Podcast audio management by Podcast Abundance. Find out more at www.podcastabundance.com\/services  ","author_name":"Family Money Adventure","author_url":"https:\/\/familymoneyadventure.com\/","html":"