The pandemic was a timely reminder that one cannot take finances lightly. While some lost their jobs overnight, others faced pay cuts, and almost everyone bore the brunt of a stagnating economy during the lockdown. In times of such crisis, having a sizeable emergency fund can help us to sustain even without income. Building a rainy day fund is a basic financial practice. This fund should be built over time and in a gradual manner. Even if you have such a fund, this year you should aim to strengthen it further through additional savings. Crises like the pandemic are times of grave uncertainty, and a decent emergency fund can be the much-needed reassurance in such scenarios.