
Building a rainy day fund is one option Americans could consider to finance surprise expenses like unexpected healthcare costs. Still, inflation and rising costs for everyday expenses like food and gas have made this a challenging task.
A recent survey by SecureSave said that 67% of Americans don't have enough money saved to cover an unexpected $400 expense. Moreover, 54% said their savings decreased over the last year.
"This data is a huge red flag for our country's economy: the overwhelming majority of American households are dangerously unprepared for an emergency expense," SecureSave Cofounder Suze Orman said. "Having money set aside in an emergency savings account is what helps you keep up with the mortgage and car payments if you are laid off.
"It is how you avoid running up crushing high-interest credit card debt," Orman continued. "It is how you avoid feeling the need to raid your retirement savings to cover an emergency expense. It is what makes you less likely to delay health care when there's a deductible and copays to deal with. When families' emergency savings are depleted, it has ripple effects across our economy. We need to take action to help people save during these challenging times."
