Reasons for an Emergency Fund

Emergencies can send your family into financial crisis. Even relatively small costs like cellphones that get dropped in water, veterinary bills when the dog eats something he shouldn’t, and helping friends or family in need can throw off your monthly budget.

In the next section, analyze how you fare in each of the top needs for an emergency fund:

Ambulance (Medical Emergencies), Box with misc items (Job Loss), broken down car (Car Repairs), broken house (home repairs), piggy bank (peace of mind)

Email Address* NOTE: Your email address will be used as your username to log into the site.

Password* Password required - must be 7 to 14 characters and contain three of the following four types of characters:

lowercase, uppercase, numbers, special characters such as !@#$%^&*( ){ }[ ]

Confirm Password*

First Name*

Last Name*

Please review the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

The benefits of registering:

My SAM
When you create an account on the SAM website, you can save articles, results of your Financial Identity Quiz and personal budget.

SAM Says
Get helpful tips, articles, and ideas for addressing the financial questions and decisions in your life delivered to your inbox monthly.

I want to receive SAM Says emails

You are signing up for SmartAboutMoney.org's free monthly email newsletter, SAM Says. Rest assured that you will not receive spam, product offers or any unsolicited emails and your personal information will not be sold or published. For more details, see our privacy policy.

SAM on-the-go!
Get helpful tips, articles and ideas for addressing the financial questions and decisions in your life delivered to your inbox monthly.

I want to receive SAM on-the-go text messages delivered to the mobile number I provide.

Mobile Number *

By checking this box I agree to receive automated text messages from smartaboutmoney.org to the mobile number I have provided. I understand that I am not required to provide my consent as a condition of purchasing any goods or services.

Pricing: No charge from SmartAboutMoney.org. Message and data rates may apply.

Reply HELP for help, Reply STOP to cancel.

I Accept the SAM On-the-Go Terms and Conditions

SAM won't ask you for personal banking or investing account information.

My Emergency Fund Plan

Section 2: Size Up Your Situation

Reasons for an Emergency Fund

Other NEFE Resources

My Emergency Fund Plan

Section 2: Size Up Your Situation

Reasons for an Emergency Fund

Follow us:

The benefits of registering: