Avni Shah, a research fellow with the Behavioural Economics in Action Research Cluster at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, says, “There is no doubt that by increasing saving and using better purchasing habits, you reduce stress.” She points to a U.K. survey of 585 bank customers that found “having readily accessible sources of cash is of unique importance to life satisfaction, above and beyond raw earnings, investments or indebtedness.”

“There is constant stress from the mindset that you are screwed financially,” says Shah. “Then there’s the ‘What the hell effect’: you’re so underwater, you keep making worse and worse decisions.” But even when you’re not living close to the wire, having a nest egg confers peace of mind – savings positively impact every income bracket.

Cash management is the process of collecting and managing cash flows. Cash management can be important for both individuals and companies. In business, it is a key component of a company's financial stability. For individuals, cash is also essential for financial stability while also usually considered as part of a total wealth portfolio.

Emergency funds create a financial buffer that can keep you afloat in a time of need without having to rely on credit cards or take out high-interest loans. It can be especially important to have an emergency fund if you have debt, because it can help you avoid borrowing more.