Why You Need a F*** You Fund and How to Get Started

Financial freedom looks like saying 'no' to the things that no longer serve. And a F*** You Fund allows you to do exactly that

WORDS BY
Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen
Published
October 20, 2024
(Image: Female Invest)
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We all have moments in life when we know something isn’t right but feel trapped or unable to walk away due to financial or other obligations. That’s when a F*** You Fund can provide the power to make an independent choice. 

A F*** You Fund is a pot of money that you create for yourself and build up over time in order to have enough money available to help pay bills or cover other needs if you need to leave a job, take a break from work, or be financially independent. It is a critical part of financial security and stability, and can provide much-needed peace of mind in times of uncertainty or hardship. 

Ultimately, a F*** You Fund gives you the freedom to walk away from a situation that doesn't serve you, whether it be a job, relationship, or other life circumstance. Having access to this fund is what makes it possible. But in order to do that, you need to build one.

What is a F*** You Fund

Think of F*** You Fund as your essential emergency fund. A F*** You Fund is a financial buffer that provides one with the freedom to walk away from any toxic or unfavourable situation without worrying about the financial consequences. It's an emergency stash of money that can cover you for at least six months or more of living expenses. Having a F*** You Fund can help one stand up for themselves in any situation, whether it is a bad job, a bad boss or a bad relationship.

(Photo: Gian Cescon/Unsplash)

Why you need a F*** You Fund

It's essential to have a F*** You fund, especially in today's uncertain world, where anything can happen, and job security cannot be taken for granted. A F*** You Fund provides a safety net and can give one the confidence to make bold life changes. It can help alleviate financial stress and empower one to make decisions without having to worry about the cash flow. But what if you're already living paycheque to paycheque? That's where a F*** You Fund comes in! 

A F*** You Fund allows individuals to support themselves without relying on anyone else, should they find themselves in an emergency situation. It’s money saved specifically for those moments when you choose to put yourself first and decline a job offer or other opportunity simply because it doesn’t work for you. All in all, a F*** You Fund is an empowering tool that gives you independence and freedom when you need it most. 

When you need your F*** You Fund money

So when should you access your F*** You Fund? Well it's when there's things in your life that no longer serve you. Examples include:

- To walk away from a bad situation without needing to worry (too much) about the financial ramifications.

- To take advantage of an opportunity. 

- To leave a toxic work environment

- To leave a terrible roommate

- To walk away from a terrible landlord that refuses to fix issues around the property

- To leave a toxic or abusive partner

Your F*** You Fund is your financial freedom.

Others have used F*** You Fund Money to bring more positive things into their lives such as:

- Leaving work to travel the world

- Quitting their job to go freelance

- Building up a freelance business to become a digital nomad

- To take a 1 year sabbatical

How much do I need to save?

When building you F*** You Fund, there's a simple rule of thumb: aim for three to six months' worth of your take-home pay. If you're self-employed, it's a good idea to err on the side of caution and go for nine months. Of course, it's important to consider your unique circumstances. How stable is your income? Do you have a partner who could help support you? How easily could you find another job if you had to? By considering these factors, you'll be able to figure out what you need to feel secure.

If you already have an F*** You Fund saved up, consider adding to it. Maybe you started with three months' worth of pay, so why not go to six months? Or even push yourself further and aim for a full year of take-home pay. Remember, what works for one person might not work for another. 

(Image: Female Invest)

F*** You Fund vs Emergency Fund

Contrary to popular opinion, a F*** You Fund isn't just another term for having an emergency fund. An emergency fund is strictly for those unexpected expenses that life loves to throw at us - like the car that breaks down or the washing machine that packs in. A F*** You Fund, on the other hand, is money that gives you power. It's the cash you need to walk into your boss's office and quit without worrying about how you'll pay your bills. 

How to build your F*** You Fund

You don't have to sacrifice your entire lifestyle to save up your F*** You Fund. The trick is to reduce your expenses gradually, rather than all at once. 

One way to do this is to track your spending habits and allocate a portion of your income to savings. For instance, you could aim to spend 50% of your cash on essentials, 30% on things you want, and save the remaining 20% - we call this the 50/30/20 rule. The good news is, you can download our 50/30/20 budgeting template, which helps you carve out a concrete plan to building that F*** You Fund in a way that's tailored to your personal financial situation.

Additionally, you could explore ways to boost your income, pay off your debts, or invest your money wisely - all things we teach you how to do in our learning platform.

(Photo: Javier Allegue/Unsplash)

How to make F*** You money

As a business owner, you understand the importance of making a profit. But when it comes to achieving financial freedom, there's more to it than just increasing revenues or cutting costs. The key to true financial freedom is doing both simultaneously. Imagine having a million dollars in savings - how you choose to use that money will determine whether it's considered "fuck you money" or simply irrational spending. By adopting a mindset of empowerment and making smart financial decisions, you can achieve the financial freedom you've always dreamed of. 

A quick financial audit could reveal that you're spending way too much on streaming services and gym subscriptions that you hardly ever use. Don't let these unnecessary expenses eat away at your hard-earned cash. By cancelling them, you could already save about a thousand dollars this year! But why stop there? Take a closer look at your spending and find more areas where you can cut back. 

Where do I store my F*** You Fund?

Your F*** You Fund needs to be liquid, and therefore accessible at any given moment. Which is why storing it in a savings account, rather than having the money invested elsewhere, is your best move. Consider finding a savings account with a competitive interest rate. 

Keeping this emergency fund in a savings account is key because it offers a level of security that other investments may not. With easy access to your money in case of an emergency, you can be confident in your financial situation and continue to focus on your goals without any unnecessary stress.

Your F*** You Fund is your financial freedom

Your F*** You Fund is not just a safety net, but a declaration of financial independence. Having a pot of money set aside that you can use to say (hypothetically, not literally) "F*** You" to anyone who tries to manipulate you or make you feel trapped. It's the feeling of choosing how you want to live your life, rather than being dictated to by others. Whether you use it to take time off work, start your own business or simply to give yourself the freedom to say no, your F*** You Fund is your ticket to freedom. So start building yours today!