knock on wood

Here's how much money Houstonians need in case of emergency

How many hundred-dollar bills do you need?

With nearly 40 percent of Americans living paycheck to paycheck, many Texans are scrambling to afford their basic needs. A new study on how much money you need in your emergency fund should be a wake-up call.

The report, from personal finance website GOBakingRates.com, suggests that residents living in Houston should be stockpiling a minimum of $17,461 to cover six months' worth of expenses in the event of an emergency.

The report analyzed the annual average expenditures and cost of living in the 50 most populous U.S. cities, and ranked them based on the estimated minimum emergency savings needed for three to six months to cover basic living expenses.

According to the study's findings, the average Houstonian's total expenditures add up to $34,828 per year. That includes the average cost of groceries, housing, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and other miscellaneous costs.

The minimum emergency fund estimates in Houston are:

For a 3-month emergency fund: $8,707
For a 4-month emergency fund: $11,609
For a 5-month emergency fund: $14,512
For a 6-month emergency fund: $17,414

Houston ranked No. 37 out of all 50 U.S. cities with the highest projected emergency funds, so it could be a lot worse. In San Francisco, for example, which is No. 1 on the list, you'd need to put aside $52,000-plus for a six-month emergency fund.

Since these estimates are "minimum," the actual figures for Houston could tick slightly higher. But even so-called affordable cities present a challenge.

"While the emergency savings you need will vary depending on the cost of living where you live, even in the most affordable major cities in America, $500 won’t be enough to keep you afloat for one month, let alone six," the report said.

In the event of a real emergency, Texans should search 211texas.org, the online database for Texas Health and Human Services, featuring information on food banks, electric bill assistance, domestic violence resources, and more.

Around Texas

The Texas city with the highest six-month emergency fund is, predictably, Austin (No. 13) where annual expenses average $52,052, or $17,224 more than Houston. In Austin, the minimum six-month emergency found would need to be $26,000.

Texans living in Arlington (No. 30), Dallas (No. 31), and Fort Worth (No. 32) would need nearly $19,000 saved up to cover six months of expenses.

In San Antonio (No. 38), the estimated six-month emergency fund adds up to a little more than $17,000. El Paso (No. 48) is the Texas city with the lowest amount of money needed for six months, at $15,005.

California cities dominated the top 10 with the highest annual expenses and highest emergency funds. San Francisco took the No. 1 spot, with average annual expenses at $104,729, and an emergency six-month fund of $52,365.

The top 10 U.S. cities with the highest estimated minimum six-month emergency funds are:

No. 1 – San Francisco, California ($52,365)
No. 2 – San Jose, California ($46,258)
No. 3 – Oakland, California ($38,106)
No. 4 – Los Angeles, California ($35,160)
No. 5 – Seattle, Washington ($34,455)
No. 6 – San Diego, California ($34,396)
No. 7 – New York, New York ($32,363)
No. 8 – Washington, D.C. ($32,132)
No. 9 – Long Beach, California ($31,528)
No. 10 – Boston, Massachusetts ($31,297)

GOBankingRates.com collected its data from the U.S. Census American Community Survey, cost of living indexes from Sperlings BestPlaces, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey.

The report and its methodology can be found on gobakingrates.com.

austin reports finance

Animal News

Bird flu is hitting Texas, especially in Houston and Galveston areas

CDC

Roosters

Bird flu is hitting Texas, and especially in the Houston area. According to a release from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the National Veterinary Services Laboratories has confirmed the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in multiple locations, with the most recent detections found in Wharton, Galveston, and Harris counties.

Disease experts indicate that HPAI is circulating among wild birds in Texas as waterbirds and waterfowl are on their wintering grounds.

HPAI is a highly contagious virus that transmits easily among wild and domestic birds. It has been detected in all states across the U.S. The virus can spread directly between animals and indirectly through environmental contamination. It can also be passed from person to person.

When birds contract it, the symptoms include lethargy, circling, lack of coordination, tremors, seizures, twisted neck, swelling of head or eyelids, nasal discharge, cough, sneezing, and diarrhea.

On December 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the first severe case of bird flu in a human. The patient lives in southwestern Louisiana and is currently hospitalized, according to the Louisiana Department of Health.

Although some experts such as veterinarian Dr. Crystal Heath have raised concerns about the potential danger, but the spread to other species is finally ringing some bells.

California Governor Gavin Newsom recently declared a state of emergency following an outbreak among dairy cows in Southern California, and two cats died from the virus after drinking raw milk. (A reminder not to give your cats raw cow's milk.)

Because of the ease of transmission, Texas Parks and Wildlife is recommending that wildlife rehabilitators remain cautious when intaking wild animals with clinical signs consistent with HPAI. They also advise quarantining animals to limit the potential for HPAI exposure to other animals within the facility.

The public should limit all contact with wild birds.

Bird feeders and water sources should be cleaned at least every two weeks with a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water. Change water in birdbaths every few days and regularly remove wet feed and seed from feed and water sources.

Hunters should consider precautions such as:

Disposing carcasses properly
Wearing gloves when processing
Avoiding consumption or processing of any sick bird
Cleaning and disinfecting tools between carcasses
Cooking meat to proper temperatures

Currently, the transmission risk of avian influenza from infected birds to people remains low, but the public should take basic protective measures if contact with wild animals cannot be avoided. The public and health care professionals can find more information about HPAI in humans from the Texas Department of State Health Services.

If you had contact with an HPAI-positive animal and develop signs of illness, immediately contact your health care provider and let them know about the exposure.

animals bird flu