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Season 1 · First words · 1.6

A cushion, before anything else

3×a monththree months of what you spend
What it is

A cushion is cash set aside for surprises: a broken boiler, a car repair, a month without pay. Three to six months of your costs is the usual size.

boiler €1,500car €800JanuaryDecember
Why it matters

Without one, a surprise goes on a card at 19%, or you sell investments at a bad moment. The surprise costs more than its price.

THE CUSHION€4,500AFTER BOILER AND CAR€2,200
The numbers

If you spend €1,500 a month, three months is €4,500. The boiler and the car in the same year still leave €2,200.

sell here?JanDec
The trap

Investing the cushion for more growth. Surprises like to come when markets are down too, and then you sell low.

Savings accountCushion: €4,500
Where you see it

Keep it where you can reach it in a day, in an account that pays some interest, apart from your everyday money.

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