IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T HEARD the stat: The median savings-account balance of Americans is $1,200, according to a 2023 survey from the Motley Fool. (That's regardless of income—and down from $4,500 in 2022.)
If reading that stresses you out, I know how you feel. I've heard it from so many people in the financial field: A savings account's primary role is to step in and support you in an emergency, yes, but having a cushy financial airbag also works wonders for your peace of mind. Just knowing the money is there helps.
There's evidence that when people don't have enough saved, they give up on aspects of the good life. In a 2024 MarketWatch survey, roughly 94 percent of respondents said they have sacrificed their mental health in some way to get by financially. This included ignoring their hobbies, not eating healthfully, and skipping social events.
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