
Rainy day fund: Definition, purpose, how much to save, where to keep it
Rainy day and emergency funds differ but together provide a sound financial plan.
About the author
Hanna Horvath is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and editor with over five years’ experience helping make complex financial topics engaging and easy to understand. She is currently the managing editor of Deposits at Bankrate.
After graduating college, Hanna discovered how little she knew about personal finance – and how broken the modern financial education system was. From there, she made it her personal mission to help everyone – especially those in marginalized groups – better understand their personal finances and make smarter decisions with their money.
Hanna writes a weekly newsletter about the psychology of money and how our minds influence our financial decisions. She's written about emotional spending, inherited money scripts, the psychology of market bubbles, and why we're all so anxious about money right now.
In addition to Bankrate, her journalistic work has appeared in Policygenius, Business Insider, Lemonade, NBC News, and Inc Magazine.
Hanna holds a journalism degree from Syracuse University and currently lives in Brooklyn, New York. When she's not writing about money, she’s writing creative nonfiction, training for a marathon or trying out a new recipe. You can learn more about Hanna and her work at her personal website.
Find Hanna beyond Bankrate
Hanna offers her perspectives on investing in gold for CBS News
Hanna shares her insights on what you should stop spending money on for Insider
Hanna shares her insights on budgeting strategies for Women.com
Can Medical Bankruptcy Help With Medical Bills? | USA Today
If You Run a Business in One of These States, You May Have to Provide More Retirement Savings Options | Inc Magazine
Inflation means you're losing money by keeping it in a CD right now | Business Insider
I moved my money out of high-yield savings when interest rates dropped — but now, it's time to move it back | Business Insider
I always recommend the same strategy to recession-proof your retirement | Business Insider
I think an adjustable-rate mortgage can be the right choice in today's hot housing market | Business Insider
5 things to do with your money right now to prepare for a recession | Business Insider
3 things to consider before adding bitcoin to your retirement portfolio | Business Insider
4 ways to boost your credit score in 30 days. | Business Insider
Why you shouldn't be putting all your retirement savings in your 401(k) | Business Insider
The stock market is a roller coaster right now, but there are 4 things you can do to stay resilient | Business Insider
Hanna wants you to know
Changing your mindset around money can completely change the way you approach and handle money. It can drive smarter financial decisions and help you reach your goals. While money definitely doesn't buy happiness, it can mean freedom: The freedom to choose what you want to do and when you want to do it.
Hanna's recommended readings
5 ways to achieve lifelong financial wellness
Building financial independence for women through financial literacy
10 ways to boost your financial awareness
The more you think about money, talk about money and work with your money, the more empowered you’ll be to make smarter financial decisions.
— Hanna Horvath, CFP
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