Blog: Many 'Household CFOs' Lack Emergency Funds

Added August 14, 2008 by Melanie G. Rogers

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A recent survey found 68 percent of "household CFOs," those responsible for managing their families' budgets, don't have an emergency fund.

Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Greater Atlanta sponsored the survey, which led the group to launch its Household CFO consumer information campaign.

The typical household CFO is female, married or in a committed relationship, a caregiver, a homeowner, holds a job, and lives in a household with a $54,000 annual income. Twelve percent of household CFOs have seven or more credit cards.

Ilyce, who's on the National Advisory Council for CCCS, offers advice on how to start an emergency fund:

"A long-range financial plan is particularly critical during times of economic uncertainty like the present. A general guideline is to save 10 percent of net income and have 6 months income available in an emergency fund or savings account. But if saving 10 percent of your net income seems impossible in a time where gas prices are rising, try to set aside five percent and build in an extra one percent each month until you've reached that 10 percent threshold."

CCCS recommends the following Web sites:

www.thinkglink.com - personal finance and real estate tips and news from Ilyce Glink

www.householdCFO.org - free webinars and financial management tools

www.myfico.com - credit score reporting and education

www.annualcreditreport.com - to get your credit report from the 3 credit reporting bureaus

www.MFEA.com - for basics on mutual fund investing

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