Nearly half of Americans have $500 or less in their savings accounts, an amount that leaves them vulnerable to unexpected expenses, according to a GOBankingRates survey of 1,063 U.S. adults conducted in November 2023. About 29% of respondents have between $501 and $5,000 in their savings accounts, while the remaining 21% of Americans have $5,001 or more. This leaves them vulnerable to unexpected expenses, underscoring the importance of having an emergency fund, if they're able to build one. Why an emergency fund is importantFinancial planners commonly recommend keeping a reserve of cash, known as an emergency fund, on hand to cover unexpected expenses. To get started, you'll need to find room in your budget for monthly emergency savings contributions, which can be easier said than done.

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Persons: Alex Lozano, Christopher Lazzaro, Lazzaro, Lozano, It's Organizations: Lozano Group Wealth Management