Putting the Cart Before the Horse: Why Your Emergency Fund Should Come Before Investing, Ep 129 episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 19, 2025 · 23 MIN

Putting the Cart Before the Horse: Why Your Emergency Fund Should Come Before Investing, Ep 129

from Childfree Life by Design · host Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP® & Bri Conn

When it comes to financial planning, are you guilty of putting the cart before the horse? In this episode, we dive into why building an emergency fund of 3-6 months of expenses is your crucial first step—especially if you're a high-income earner tempted to skip the basics for bigger, flashier investments.We'll break down practical strategies, including why paying off debt first reduces the size of your emergency fund, the critical role disability insurance plays for childfree individuals, and how separate sinking funds for life's regular expenses (like home and car maintenance) can save you from financial stress.Tune in to discover why keeping around $1,000 cash handy might be your secret financial superpower—and learn the structured financial order you need: emergency fund → debt payoff → insurance → investing. It's never too late to build a solid financial foundation!Action Items:Start by building a one-month emergency fund immediately.Regularly review your insurance coverage to stay properly protected.Establish sinking funds for predictable but irregular expenses.Mentioned in this episode:Schedule your Childfree Wealth® Checkup here: https://childfreewealth.com/schedule-a-checkup/ Listen now and put your financial horse back in front of your cart!Connect with Us:Ready to work on building better financial habits? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com.Follow Childfree Life by Design on your favorite podcast platform and join the conversation on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsightsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsightsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsightsDisclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast.

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When it comes to financial planning, are you guilty of putting the cart before the horse? In this episode, we dive into why building an emergency fund of 3-6 months of expenses is your crucial first step—especially if you're a high-income earner tempted to skip the basics for bigger, flashier investments. We'll break down practical strategies, including why paying off debt first reduces the size of your emergency fund, the critical role disability insurance plays for childfree individuals, an...

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Putting the Cart Before the Horse: Why Your Emergency Fund Should Come Before Investing, Ep 129

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