How is your 3 Buckets of Money?

byRichDragon

232 followers

7 months ago

Managing Your Finances: The Three Buckets of Money?

Do You Have Your 3 Buckets of Money in Place?

Money management is a fundamental aspect of our lives, and how we allocate and handle our finances can significantly impact our financial security and future. One effective approach to money management is the concept of the "Three Buckets of Money." These three buckets, when properly understood and implemented, can be a powerful tool for achieving financial stability and realizing your long-term financial goals.

The idea of the Three Buckets of Money is simple: it involves segregating your finances into three distinct categories, each with its unique purpose and investment strategy.

These categories are often referred to as "short-term," "mid-term," and "long-term" buckets.

Let's explore each of these buckets in detail and discuss the benefits of having them in place.

1. Short-Term Bucket:

The short-term bucket is the first and most accessible one. It is designed to cover your immediate and upcoming financial needs. This bucket typically includes your checking and savings accounts, emergency fund, and any investments with a low level of risk. It acts as your financial safety net, ensuring that you have quick access to cash for unexpected expenses, such as medical bills, car repairs, or urgent home repairs. By having a well-funded short-term bucket, you can weather financial storms without having to dip into your mid-term or long-term investments.

2. Mid-Term Bucket:

The mid-term bucket is for your medium-term financial goals. This might include saving for a down payment on a house, funding your child's education, or planning for a significant vacation. Investments in this bucket typically have a moderate level of risk. They are not as liquid as the short-term bucket but can be accessed within a few years. Having a mid-term bucket allows you to pursue your financial aspirations without putting your long-term financial security at risk.

3. Long-Term Bucket:

The long-term bucket is where you prepare for your distant future, especially retirement. It usually consists of long-term investments like 401(k)s, IRAs, and other retirement accounts. These investments often carry a higher level of risk but also offer the potential for substantial long-term growth. By setting aside a portion of your income for the long-term bucket, you are essentially building a nest egg for your retirement years.

Now, you might wonder, "Why is having these three buckets of money in place so important?" The answer lies in the benefits of this system:

Financial Security: The short-term bucket ensures that you have money readily available to handle unexpected expenses or emergencies, preventing you from going into debt or liquidating long-term investments prematurely.

Financial Flexibility: By maintaining separate buckets, you have clarity about the purpose of each one. This helps you make more informed decisions about where to allocate your funds, based on your financial goals and the time horizon for each goal.

Risk Management: By allocating your money into different buckets based on time frames, you can adjust the risk level of your investments accordingly. Short-term funds can stay in low-risk accounts, while long-term funds can be invested for potentially higher returns.

Peace of Mind: Knowing that you have a plan in place for your immediate, medium-term, and long-term financial needs can provide you with a sense of security and peace of mind. You can approach your financial journey with confidence, knowing you're prepared for the unexpected and working toward your goals.

In conclusion, having your Three Buckets of Money in place is a smart financial strategy that promotes security, flexibility, and responsible risk management. It ensures that you're prepared for short-term emergencies, can fulfill medium-term aspirations, and are building a solid foundation for your long-term financial future. By implementing this approach, you can achieve greater financial well-being and work toward a more financially secure and fulfilling life.

Remember, financial planning is not one-size-fits-all. It's essential to assess your unique financial situation, goals, and risk tolerance to determine the ideal allocation for each of your buckets. Once you have a clear plan in place, you'll be better equipped to navigate the complex world of personal finance and achieve your financial dreams.

Three Buckets of Money in simpler terms:

Bucket 1: Quick Cash (Short-Term Bucket)

This is like your wallet or purse. It's money you can get to right away. It's for things you might need to pay for soon, like groceries, bills, or emergencies. Think of it as your everyday money, kept where you can easily access it. This is a very interesting funds to set up. You do not want to put this money where when you need to withdraw it will incur you a penalty. So talk to an advisor, also there are tax free funds ask an investment advisor.

Bucket 2: Savings for Soon-ish (Mid-Term Bucket)

This is for saving up for things you want in the next few years, like a vacation or buying a car. It's like putting money in a special jar for a specific purpose. You can't touch it every day, but you can get to it when you need to.

Bucket 3: Big Plans and Retirement (Long-Term Bucket)

Imagine this bucket as a treasure chest that you fill over time. It's for big goals, like buying a house or retiring comfortably. You don't touch this money for a long time because it's invested to grow over the years. It's like planting seeds and waiting for a big tree to grow.

The idea is to keep these buckets separate, so your everyday money is safe, your savings are ready when you need them, and your long-term dreams are growing quietly in the background. Having these three buckets helps you feel in control of your money and ready for whatever life throws at you.

Starting with the Three Buckets of Money is a great way to get your finances organized and secure your financial future. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to begin:

1. Identify Your Financial Goals:

• Take some time to think about your financial goals. What do you want to achieve in the short term, the medium term, and the long term? Your goals might include building an emergency fund, saving for a vacation, buying a home, or planning for retirement.

2. Determine Your Time Horizons:

• Classify your goals based on how soon you want to achieve them. Short-term goals are things you'll need money for in the next 1-2 years, medium-term goals are those within 3-5 years, and long-term goals are typically 10 years or more away. This is very important, especially is f you are on the retirement years. A protective income guaranteed maybe something one may consider.

3. Create the Three Buckets:

• Open separate bank accounts or sub-accounts if your bank offers them. You can also use physical jars or envelopes if you prefer a visual representation. Label these as "Short-Term," "Mid-Term," and "Long-Term."

4. Allocate Your Money:

• Start by allocating your existing funds into these buckets based on your financial goals.
• Fill your short-term bucket first with enough money to cover emergencies and immediate expenses (usually 3-6 months' worth of living expenses).
• Then, allocate money to your mid-term bucket for goals that are a few years away.
• Finally, begin contributing to your long-term bucket for retirement or other long-term goals.

5. Automate Your Savings:

• Set up automatic transfers or deposits from your main account to each of the buckets. This ensures you're consistently saving for your goals without having to think about it. Do you know you may start to invest with $25.00 to $50.00 per funds? The banks do not normally offer it since they have a limit of $1,000.00 -10,000 to start to open an account, it is a waste of time for them to do small amounts as they are there to make money not to help you reach your financial goal.

6. Invest Wisely:

• For the long-term bucket, consider investing in retirement accounts like a 401(k) or an IRA to let your money grow over time, if you are employed. If you are self employed there are different types too that you may use. Ask a financial /investment advisor.
• Diversify your investments to spread risk. Also, most employers match this for your retirement. That is free money. Learn the difference between an IRA or Roth IRA ask your tax advisor which will be more beneficial for you. Each year IRS gives the outline limits to follow- (click on that link Invest wisely)

7. Review and Adjust:

• Regularly review your progress and adjust your contributions as your financial situation and goals change. If you get a pay raise or a bonus, consider increasing your contributions to your buckets. Also if you are your first home consult your financial advisor, it is always good to do plannings with financial coaches.

8. Stay Disciplined:

• Avoid dipping into your long-term bucket for short-term expenses unless it's absolutely necessary. The long-term bucket should remain untouched to grow over the years.

9. Emergency Fund:

• Ensure your short-term bucket includes an emergency fund that covers unexpected expenses. This keeps you from having to tap into your savings or investments for sudden financial setbacks. Normally recommends to save your monthly income x 6 to 8 months, that's the total emergency fund to have ideally.

10. Seek Professional Advice:

• If you're unsure about investment options or how to structure your buckets, consider consulting with a financial advisor/investment advisor. They can provide tailored advice to help you reach your financial goals. We are financial professionals and we do a lot of personal and individual programs. My wife also handles most of the 401k; 403B; SEP; 529; UTMA and other types of investment questions/answers. I am licensed only in NY but she is licensed in 12 states; CT; NJ;NY;MI;MA; NV; DC;DE; MD;CA;MS; VA. If your state is not listed here, please direct message and we can refer you to a licensed professional on your state. Our goal is to share the financial education that we know and have learned in the past 8 years.
  

  
  This is us, Phil and Jhett -Married for 39 years

By following these steps, you can start with the Three Buckets of Money and begin managing your finances more effectively, ensuring you're prepared for both short-term needs and long-term financial security.

What are financial goals?

Financial goals are specific, measurable objectives that you set for your financial well-being. These goals help you plan, save, and make informed decisions about your money. Financial goals can vary widely from person to person, but they generally fall into a few common categories:

1. Emergency Fund: Saving money to cover unexpected expenses like medical bills, car repairs, or job loss. A common goal is to have 3-6 months' worth of living expenses in an emergency fund.
2. Debt Reduction: Paying off high-interest debts, such as credit card balances, student loans, or personal loans.
3. Savings and Investments: Goals to save for various purposes, such as:
4. • Short-Term: Saving for a vacation, a new car, or a down payment on a home.
   • Medium-Term: Saving for a child's education, starting a business, or home renovations.
   • Long-Term: Saving for retirement, which may include contributing to retirement accounts like a 401(k) or an IRA.
5. Budgeting and Expense Control: Setting goals to manage your spending, save a certain percentage of your income, or stick to a budget.
6. Homeownership: Saving for a down payment on a house or paying off a mortgage.
7. Education: Funding your own education or saving for your children's education.
8. Investing: Goals related to growing your wealth through investment portfolios, stocks, real estate, or other investment vehicles.
9. Retirement: Planning for a financially secure retirement by saving and investing over time.
10. Estate Planning: Preparing for the distribution of your assets to beneficiaries after your passing, which may include setting up a will or trust.
11. Insurance: Ensuring you have the appropriate insurance coverage, such as life insurance, health insurance, or disability insurance. I call this income replacements. You know why? we insure our cars right? we insure our house from fires and floods? we insure our cellphones right? but do you have insurance for the one making the money and paying the premiums on all the other types of insurance ? Income replacement is life insurance we insure the person who is the head of the household or any bread winner who when demised will leave a big impact on income loss. Also, an insurance can be considered an asset, do not look at your premiums as an expense,look at the face amount your family will be protected with God forbid anything happens to you.
12. Charitable Giving: Allocating a portion of your income for donations to causes or organizations you care about.
13. Tax Efficiency: Reducing your tax liability through various strategies, like contributing to tax-advantaged accounts. (ask your tax advisors)

Setting financial goals is essential because they provide you with a road map for your financial journey. They help you prioritize your spending, allocate your resources efficiently, and measure your progress over time. Whether your goals are short-term or long-term, having them in place helps you work toward financial security and realize your dreams and aspirations. Good luck hope these helps.

Disclaimer:A statement that the information or service is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be personal financial advice, and a statement reminding others that there's an inherent risk involved with financial decisions and the website owner or author of this article will not be held liable for any blogs or items or material hereto written.