Page 1
Page 1
Started By
Message

Brokerage Account as Part of Emergency Account

Posted on 8/5/14 at 6:52 pm
Posted by ragacamps
Member since Jan 2011
2997 posts
Posted on 8/5/14 at 6:52 pm
Ive been doing this for a while now and wonder if anyone else does. I have read through some other post on here discussing the use of a roth and other types of accounts. Ive been putting about 1/3 of our emergency fund in my brokerage account buying commission free etfs. Most of it goes into USMV. A minimum volatility large cap etf. I also put some in SHY and TIP, a 1-3 year treasury etf and a tips bond etf. The money is fairly liquid. We put about 400 a month in the emergency fund, so about 130 goes into these etfs on average every month although some months Ill put more or less depending on what the prices are at. As long as the shares I would sell if an emergency came up would also be commission free since they have been held for over 30 days as is the policy for my brokerage account.

The other 2/3 go into a standard savings account connected to our checking.

Im thinking about starting to put about half instead of 1/3 from here on out now that the wife found a position.

Just wondering if anyone does the same thing or has any opinions on this practice.

Thanks.
Posted by Iowa Golfer
Heaven
Member since Dec 2013
10229 posts
Posted on 8/5/14 at 8:54 pm to
Personally I have almost nothing in my checking account. I don't have a savings account.

Just me, but if your brokerage account is liquid, and you get immediate ACH transfers to your checking account, why not?
Posted by ragacamps
Member since Jan 2011
2997 posts
Posted on 8/5/14 at 9:19 pm to
Thats what Im thinking. The funds may take a day or two at most and without having to worry about commission, I see it as smart place to tuck away some extra cash in case an emergency arises.
Posted by LSUtigerME
Walker, LA
Member since Oct 2012
3792 posts
Posted on 8/5/14 at 9:55 pm to
As long as the money is relatively "safe", it really doesn't matter. Instant transfers are a huge plus to this arrangement, but not really necessary IMO.

Only thing to possibly be careful of is if you make frequent trades, your brokerage may put restrictions on your account. I use Sharebuilder for some investments, tried to make some plays around election time, and got my account partially frozen for some time.
Posted by bayoubengals88
LA
Member since Sep 2007
18897 posts
Posted on 8/5/14 at 10:18 pm to
Do you use Ameritrade?
(doesn't seem like a terrible idea IMO)
Posted by jeepfreak
Back in the BR
Member since Oct 2003
19433 posts
Posted on 8/6/14 at 9:16 am to
I have a low-interest line of credit attached to my brokerage account. I can leave the investments in place and borrow against them at around 4% if I need money in a pinch.
Posted by ragacamps
Member since Jan 2011
2997 posts
Posted on 8/6/14 at 9:30 am to
I have a fidelity brokerage account. I buy 3 of the 65 no commission etfs offered. Most goes into USMV.
Posted by ragacamps
Member since Jan 2011
2997 posts
Posted on 8/12/14 at 6:03 am to
Thinking of using some corporate and muni etfs along with the other etfs
Posted by SpidermanTUba
my house
Member since May 2004
36128 posts
Posted on 8/12/14 at 6:20 am to
quote:

The funds may take a day or two at most and without having to worry about commission


This is why I keep some bucks in my bank's savings account.

When our son was 3 months old I found out his health insurance had been dropped due to an administrative f up. They said it would take a week before he was put back on it. At that point I realized if a serious accident happened I would need to have funds at my disposal to pay cash at the hospital.

I also live in NOLA so that means I'm subject to arrest at any time for looking at a cop wrong and may need bail money.
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 1Next pagelast page
refresh

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookTwitterInstagram