A recent survey revealed that the massive increases in everyday living expenses due to skyrocketing inflation rates are causing Americans to be nervous about their emergency savings.
The June 23 survey conducted by Bankrate found that 58 percent of the 1,025 adult respondents were concerned about the amount they have in emergency savings. This followed a rising trend of adults having that concern – up from 48 percent in 2021 and 44 percent in 2020.
Meanwhile, those who said they were comfortable with their emergency savings dropped to 42 percent compared to 54 percent two years ago.
Another survey, this time by the Breeze insurance agency, found that 88 percent of respondents cut back on spending. Of that amount, 63 percent cut back on consumer spending while 73 percent opted not to dine at restaurants or avail of takeaway food. Fifty-seven percent spent less on groceries; 44 percent spent less on gas; and 54 percent reined in travel-related spending.
It also found that about 35 percent of respondents reined in their payments for credit cards or personal loans. Of this portion, 86 percent expressed worry that this will bury them deeper into debt.
Rising inflation rates force people to dip into savings
When inflation hit its highest in 40 years back in May 2022, the Federal Reserve was forced to raise interest rates in a bid to slow down the economy and control price hikes. A June 14 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reflected this rapid increase in prices, with the consumer price index soaring by 8.6 percent in May,
Of the 58 percent of Bankrate survey respondents uncomfortable with their emergency savings, three of four said the amount they saved was insufficient to cover at least three months' worth of daily expenditures – if not having none at all.
Fifty-nine percent of families with higher annual incomes (those earning more than $100,000) were contented with their savings. Meanwhile, 46 percent of those earning between $50,000 to $99,999 annually were contented with their emergency funds. Moreover, the number of families earning below $50,000 ever year without any savings jumped to 37 percent.
The Breeze survey also reflected a similar sentiment, with 59 percent of survey participants already starting to dip into their emergency savings funds to cover expenses.
"When cash savings start running low, consumers often have no option but to turn to financing vehicles like credit cards, personal loans or buy now, pay later [plans]. Massing consumer debt only adds fuel to the economic fire," said the insurance firm. (Related: Surveys: Consumers are saving less and acquiring more debts due to inflation)
"Even with fewer households having no emergency savings and 56 percent having the same or more savings than one year ago, the majority of Americans are uncomfortable with the emergency savings they have in 2022, a change from the previous two years," said Greg McBride, Bankrate chief financial analyst.
McBride added that inflation serves as an indicator that excess savings is being relied upon in a time when price hikes on everyday items outpace wage gains.
"Despite having more savings, comfort level is way down. Inflation being at four-decade highs will erode your comfort level in the buying power of your emergency savings," he said.
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