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A life you love on a budget you can afford.

Here on TBM®, I provide you with simple, easy-to-follow solutions to help you budget your money, pay off debt, save more, and crush your financial goals. But more than that, I give you the tools to start doing the things that matter most to you, on a budget that actually works!

What It Means to be “Cash Poor” and How to Avoid It

December 10, 2020
FINANCE 101

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Just because someone has a large house, luxury vehicle, and brand name clothes, that doesn’t mean that they don’t have money worries.

Just because someone has a large house, luxury vehicle, and brand name clothes, doesn’t mean they don’t have money worries.

It sounds like it shouldn’t happen. If someone has plenty of material possessions, shouldn’t it imply that they’re also prepared for most financial scenarios? Not necessarily.

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There are many families that are asset-rich but cash-poor. Another common phrase is “house-rich, cash-poor.” In these situations, the majority of wealth is tied up in assets such as a house or investment properties. When a large proportion of total income is tied up in assets, there may be trouble meeting other financial obligations, especially in an emergency situation. This is what it means to be “cash poor.”

What are the Dangers of Being Cash Poor?

On the one hand, assets are the wealth that you own. On the other hand, cash is the wealth that you have readily available to spend.

These are not necessarily the same things, which is why it’s possible to be “house-rich, cash-poor.”

For example, if you pay off a $200,000 home but have nothing left in your bank account, then your net worth is $200,000 (assuming no other assets). Without anything in checking or savings, then you have nothing to spend, hence the “cash poor.”

It is important to note that this is not an argument against paying off your mortgage! It is critical to your financial health to stay on top of your payments and financial obligations. However, it is also important to consider your cash flow when planning your budget. There’s a reason some experts say, “Cash is king!”

Here are just some of the dangers of being cash-poor:

  • Employment situations can change overnight. In 2020 alone, we’ve seen millions of American unemployed through no fault of their own. Even if you are an excellent employee and contribute considerably to your company, there are always circumstances outside of your control. Few things are more panic-inducing than being cash poor and then suddenly finding yourself out of work.
  • There are no guarantees of selling your home quickly. One of the mistakes of the “asset rich, cash poor” mindset is the idea that you can always liquidate real estate assets. However, it can take months or even years in bad markets to sell your home. Can you borrow from home equity? Technically, yes, but there are also strict requirements, such as having sufficient income. If you need to borrow against your home because of economic hardship due to job loss, the lenders may not approve your application.
  • The stock market might be down when you need it. Another place where investors have money tied up is in the stock market. Yes, you should definitely consider investing, especially when preparing for retirement! However, if you unexpectedly need to liquidate your assets, it is likely due to an emergency situation such as job loss. If employers are laying off workers due to economic uncertainty, then there’s no guarantee that the stock market will be in a good place when you need to liquidate.

These are just some of the dangers of being cash poor. 

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Fortunately, no matter what your financial situation is today, you can always take practical steps to improve your financial health for tomorrow!

Saving is Key to Solid Financial Health

Having adequate savings is key to avoid the pitfalls of being cash poor. Not only will you be ready for emergency situations, but you will also find that you have more peace of mind in your day to day life.

So that raises the question: what should you look for in a savings account?

  • Good interest rates. Premier savings accounts can offer up to 0.45% interest APY. This is important because your money will keep growing, even if just to keep up with inflation. When it comes to emergency funds or saving for planned expenditures, savings accounts are generally safer and more accessible than the stock market.
  • Ease of accessing funds. If you’re saving for unexpected emergencies, then you want to ensure that you are able to access the cash as quickly as possible. A good savings account vehicle will offer free electronic banking transfers (ACH), outgoing wire transfers, or checks via snail mail.
  • Clear requirements. In order to qualify for the highest interest rate, most banks will require you to meet specific requirements. Are these requirements clear without any fine print? Do you need to maintain a minimum balance? Or do you need to remain active every month? Make sure that you clearly understand the expectations in order to enjoy the highest interest rate possible!

One place to keep hard-earned money is CIT Savings Builder. It is important to save for you and your family, but it is equally important to store your money in a bank that you trust. This is just one step you can take to improve your financial position and to avoid being “cash-poor.”

It All Comes Down to Your Budget

The best way to avoid becoming house-poor or cash-poor is to thoroughly know your budget. Do you keep track of your monthly expenses and income? Do you know how much you can afford? Is there a plan or savings fund for emergency situations?

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One of the great things about creating a written budget (or using the envelope system!) is that you can play around with different numbers. When everything is documented, you can see exactly where your money is going and identify areas for improvement. A thorough budget also makes it easier to plan for the future. Whether you are buying a new home or planning for a much-needed vacation, a budget will make these major expenses manageable.

If you are asset-rich but cash-poor, please do not fret! Being rich in anything is a good thing! However, it is important to remember that balance is key. Try to avoid strengthening one area of your financial health (assets) at the expense of another area (cash). Keeping track of your budget will help you identify these imbalances so that you can prepare for a better, healthier financial future!

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Filed Under: Tagged With: BUDGET TIPS, CASH POOR, FRUGAL, FRUGAL LIVING

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Comments

  1. Sarah Hawkins says

    December 11, 2020 at 8:07 am

    My husband and I became a different type of cash poor in 2012 when a derecho rolled across West Virginia and most of the state was with out power for 2 weeks. We had pleanty of money in the bank but no cash in our wallets. With no power banks were closed, ATMs didn’t work, gas pumps could only run on generators and cash was the only currency that was or could be accepted. Neither my husband nor I carried cash at that time, we had our debit cards, and of course all of our vehicles needed gas. Our son, who was 16 at the time, always carried cash. He came to the rescue– filling up both of our vehicles with gas and giving both of us emergency cash to carry while we were at work.
    Ever since that experience we all carry cash and keep separate emergency money in the safe to carry us for a couple weeks if we have another major natural disaster.

  2. Patsy Vasser says

    December 13, 2020 at 7:38 am

    Hey, this was some valuable info for me. I never thought about being cash poor or house rich. Now knowing this, I will gladly get my financial health in a better state and balance for the future. This came to me a pivotal time in my life and I really appreciate the information.

  3. Exhausted says

    December 15, 2020 at 6:36 am

    So us! I keep trying to get a savings going or just save anything, but something always comes up. I have been doing your budget for a little over a year now and I love it. However, I feel like life constantly gets the better of us.

  4. Christine says

    December 15, 2020 at 7:48 am

    Can you help me find where you discussed splitting a receipt if there are different categories within it? My husband gives me all of his receipts and there are many times he picks up snacks or makes a withdrawal while doing a grocery run. I remember seeing it somewhere but can’t find it again for the life of me.

Hello, I'm Kumiko, but everyone just calls me Miko. Welcome to my blog, The Budget Mom. I am an Accredited Financial Counselor® , and mom to a rambunctious boy. Come along with me as I strive to live a life I love on a budget that I can afford. Read more about me.

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The Budget Mom

The Budget Mom
Back on March 1st, I did an Instagram Live all about closing out your budget.

This step and my "Where Did My Money Go?" Worksheets are the two things I get the MOST questions about.

What do you do with your budget after the month is over, and you’re ready to begin a new month? Most people don’t realize it, but your spending throughout the month gives you some incredibly helpful information.

One of the first steps to creating and sticking to a realistic budget is tracking your expenses. Your spending is the underlying foundation for creating a budget and ensuring that your budgets in the future are successful.

If you are not aware of where your money is going, you can’t make the best decisions for your dollars.

➡️ HOW I TRACK MY SPENDING: https://bit.ly/3aIe89I
➡️ HOW TO USE A BUDGET CALENDAR: https://bit.ly/2IzF2Vj
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➡️ HOW TO CREATE A PLAN OF ATTACK TO PAY OFF DEBT: https://bit.ly/2wDETxF
➡️ HOW TO CLOSE OUT YOUR BUDGET: https://bit.ly/2Uz0UUW

ABOUT ME

Kumiko Love is a single mom who empowers women everywhere to regain control of their financial lives. An Accredited Financial Counselor with over nine years of experience in the finance industry, she founded The Budget Mom, a community of millions of women on a path to financial fulfillment.

She's also the creator of the wildly popular Live Rich Planner® and Budget by Paycheck® Workbook. Love has been featured on Good Morning America, the Today show, CNN, CBS, ABC and in USA Today, US News, World Report, Huffington Post, Money Magazine, Parents Magazine, the Washington Post, and Real Simple. She lives in Spokane Valley, Washington.

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