Personal Finance
Last updated
Last updated
I keep a bare minimum of $4,000 AUD across my bank accounts at any time and structure it as follows:
$1,000 AUD as cash float in a checking account
With $200 AUD in a separate checking account for everyday spending (eg. dining out, fuel etc.)
$3,000 AUD in a relatively high-interest savings account for emergency spending (helps me sleep easier at night)
I try my best to save / invest at least 50% of my income. To make this easier for myself, I have set a recurring automatic transfer to a high-interest savings account which occurs every payday. This automatic transfer allows me to save without worrying about it, freeing up mental energy which I can allocate into making investment decisions. I like to invest in stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies and ideas that interest me.
As mentioned earlier, I keep at least $1,000 as a cash float in my main transactional account. Just like how a small business may keep x amount of money in a cash till, I think it is imperative to have some kind of leeway / buffer that keeps one afloat. Moreover, this main transaction account acts as some sort of central hub that distributes funds to my other accounts. I frequently top-up this account up with every paycheck.
This account is strictly for life-threatening emergencies only. Ideally, an emergency fund should hold at least 3-6 months of expenses. I expect the bare minimum for this fund to increase with age.
I keep $100 AUD in a separate transaction account that I have set to Fitbit Pay. These funds are to be used under the following circumstances only:
If I lose / forget my wallet or phone while out
Any non-life threatening 'emergencies' that can be solved for under $100
“Many people take no care of their money till they come nearly to the end of it, and others do just the same with their time.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe