DEAR ABBY: While I was growing up, my parents taught me and my siblings to always keep a year's salary (pre-taxes) in a savings account that one never touches.
The problem is my bride and I feel that we're ready to buy a home, although we don't have enough in our joint savings to make a down payment. She feels I should use my savings to make the down payment.
I don't feel right about it because this savings technique has saved me twice in my life. Once when I was a child and my parents lost their jobs, and again when I lost my job in the recession. Am I selfish for wanting to keep my savings off limits? -- MR. SAVINGS
DEAR MR. SAVINGS: No. I happen to agree with your fiscally conservative philosophy. You learned from experience how important an emergency fund can be. Because buying a home is not an emergency, wait until you and your wife have saved enough for the down payment. Also, because the money in that savings account was yours before marriage, it may not be a joint asset, and it could save you a third time if you don't spend it.