April is Financial Literacy Month—and Dupaco Credit Union is celebrating with a weeklong press series designed to empower and inform. From April 14-18, we’ll be releasing a new topic each day focused on helping take control of your personal finances. This five-part series will cover timely, relevant insights from the experts at Dupaco. Follow the series and catch up anytime at dupaco.com/newsroom.
DUBUQUE, Iowa—Emergencies rarely come with a warning. Whether it’s a burst pipe, a fender bender or an unexpected medical bill, life has a way of throwing curveballs when we least expect them. With nearly half of U.S. adults reporting they’d struggle to cover a $1,000 emergency, the need for a financial safety net has never been greater.
Building an emergency fund—no matter the size—is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your financial well-being. Dupaco provides practical, creative ways to start saving today, so the next unexpected event doesn’t become a crisis.
What is an emergency fund?
An emergency can happen to anyone. An emergency fund is a pool of money earmarked for surprise expenses that fall outside of your regular budget. A financial fallout is potentially much more severe and prolonged when you don’t have an emergency fund to fall back on.
How much should you save?
The size of an emergency fund depends on a few things: do you have dependents? Are you the primary income earner? Do you have other savings that are easily accessible?
Financial experts at Dupaco recommend aiming for enough to cover three to six months of essential living expenses. If that feels out of reach, start small. Even a $2,000 savings goal can provide valuable piece of mind.
Try these tips:
- Pay yourself first. Put a portion of each paycheck into savings right away.
- Automate your savings. Automatic transfers make saving consistent and effortless.
- Use windfalls wisely. Tax refunds, bonuses or birthday money can give emergency funds a healthy boost.
- Think small to save big. Instead of aiming for one big goal, break it into smaller, bit-size amounts. For example, saving $5 a day adds up fast!
- Change-up savings. Check if your financial institution offers a round-up savings tool similar to Dupaco’s Change-Up Savings. This tool automatically rounds your purchases to the nearest dollar and deposits that change into a savings account of your choice.
Where should you keep your emergency fund?
Once you have your emergency fund, keep it in an account that’s secure, easily accessible and earning interest. It’ll be important to keep it separate from your regular spending money so it’s not too tempting to touch. This account should not be in the stock market, where short-term fluctuations might make it take a big dip. Some possible solutions might be high-yield savings accounts or money market accounts for balancing safety and growth.
An emergency fund is more than just a financial cushion—it’s peace of mind. By taking small, consistent steps now, you can build a safety net that protects you when life throws the unexpected your way. Dupaco is here to help members build that foundation with tools, guidance and support every step of the way. Because when you’re prepared, the unexpected doesn’t have to feel like a crisis. If you’re ready to start saving today, visit dupaco.com/save.
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ABOUT DUPACO COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION
Dupaco Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa. It is dedicated to the financial well-being of its members, and specializes in personalized financial counseling, money advice and education. It offers savings, loans, investments, insurance and wealth management products for individuals and businesses. Dupaco serves residents in 118 counties throughout Iowa, northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. Founded in 1948 by ten Dubuque Packing Company employees, membership has grown to more than 173,000 with assets exceeding $3.5 billion. It has over 600 employees and 23 branch office locations. It is a Forbes Best-in-State Credit Union, Forbes America’s Best Small Employer, and a Des Moines Register Top Workplace. Learn more at www.dupaco.com.
