The Investors Trail Mix

A Simple Recipe

August is peak camping season, and whether you’re hitting the backcountry or the backyard, a good trail mix has something for every moment on the trail. A little something sweet, something salty, but most importantly, something with staying power.

Your financial plan should work the same way. A well-balanced mix of savings, investments and an emergency fund may give you energy for the long haul and something to fall back on when the path gets rough.

Many financial professionals suggest starting with a base of three to six months of living expenses in an emergency fund. From there, regular contributions to a retirement account, even a small amount each month, may support long-term growth. Then consider adding a short-term goal, like a vacation fund or a home repair cushion, to help keep you motivated along the way.

Pack your mix thoughtfully, and you can be prepared for wherever the trail takes you.

This financial wellness tip is provided by Homestead Advisers, a financial services company established over 30 years ago to help meet the investment needs of communities within the National Rural Electric Cooperative (NRECA) family. Homestead Advisers provides a range of investment advisory services, including financial planning, and serves as the investment advisor and/or administrator for the Homestead Funds, a family of registered mutual funds, from which it receives compensation for serving in those roles. Homestead Advisers Corp., a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of NRECA.