Today’s Financial Message Just for you, {{ first name | friend}}
Remember when we were promised flying cars? Building an emergency fund is less exciting, but way more likely to actually happen.
Real financial stability builds month by month, paycheck by paycheck, over years. It's not how much you make; it's how much you keep… Continue Reading
According to Bankrate’s 2025 Annual Emergency Savings Report, only 10% of Gen Xers feel ‘Very Comfortable’ with how much they have saved in theirs.
Are you winning the Emergency savings game - or are you in the 90? Who feel more like they’re looking at something like this? →
Let’s Get Practical
Okay, {{first_name}} we all know that we need an emergency fund, but if you’ve missed that bit of financial wisdom, look no further, we’ll cover why, and how you can start to build your own emergency fund.
Look, the goal of an Emergency Fund is that you’re covered in case.
The top 5 reasons for having one?
Losing your job.
An unexpected medical emergency.
Avoiding high-interest debt.
Surprise home maintenance or repairs.
Having actual financial security.
If and when the inevitable poop hits the fan, you do not want to:
Put everything on your credit card.
Ask people for money.
Borrow more from the bank.
Lose sleep and maybe hair because you are freaking out.
So, does it sound impossible to go from having an empty jar to the coveted 3-6 months in your Emergency Fund? Sure it does.
If you live in Connecticut** and have average monthly living expenses of $4,445, that means your jar needs $13,335 - $26,670 worth of coin to meet the suggested amount.
But before you give this up as impossible, think about it this way:
If you put away $20/week in a high-yield savings account*** for a year without touching it, you’d have $975.
Doesn’t sound like a lot, but bear with me, there’s a point.
If you do this for 3 years, you’ll be at $3,025. For 5 years? $5,217.
Bump up your weekly savings to $30 after Year 1? $5,615 by 2028.
The point? Start the habit. Right now.
Once you see your little nest egg growing, you’ll have the added psychological benefit of a win - which will make you want to keep going.
And even if you decide to keep $1,000 on the side once you get going to cover things like a blown tire or a crazy light bill - that’s still better than charging it to your credit card and eating the 20% interest until you pay it off.
Go Deeper - Frequently Asked Questions on Building an Emergency Fund
“I Don’t Know How to Get Started.” This is why you signed up for this email. We’re here to help.
“How Much Do I Actually Need to Save?” Extremely short answer with no context: 3-6 months worth of living expenses.
Long answer: Start with $1,000 and grow from there.
It really depends on:
A. Your financial situation.
B. If you rent or own your home.
C. If you have 1 or 2 household incomes.
It won’t take you long to go from an empty jar to this!
“I can’t Save $20 a Week” Yes you can. And without skipping your Triple Whip Cinnamon Macchiato.
Helpful Resources
The $50 Emergency Fund offers a revolutionary approach to personal finance. It proves that building financial security doesn't require a high income or complex strategies. It requires the right starting point. That starting point is just $50.
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