[USER]

I need advice! How am I supposed to save money if it’s one thing after another? I have a dedicated amount for savings each month but life keeps happening where I have to take out.

I really try to stick to it. But it feels like every time I start to make progress, something unexpected comes up—a car repair, a medical bill, a surprise expense—and I end up pulling money from my savings again.

It’s frustrating because I want to build financial stability, but life keeps throwing curveballs.

I’m not living extravagantly, and I do my best to budget, but these unplanned costs seem to happen too often. It feels like I’m just stuck in a cycle of saving and then dipping right back into it.

How do you deal with this? Have you found any strategies that actually help you keep your savings untouched, even when things pop up?

Should I be approaching my budget differently? Would love to hear how others manage this kind of situation.

[Nesha]

Your budget needs to include a realistic amount for “stuff that’s gonna happen”.

You’re always going to need new tires or have a vet bill or a dentist bill.

[Kimberly]

Try to decrease your other expenses….. whether it be your food budget, or netflix, etc…

[Rebecca]

What do you mean by the unexpected that keep happening?
Are you able to find a different job?

Or are you limited in options for that?

[Diane]

A temporary second job or a side hustle or a hobby that pays..til you get a good ER fund established.

Sell plasma 2 x month if need be.

[Marian]

Your budget may not be realistic if you are having a problem every month.

You should budget some margin.

[Elizabeth]

Don’t worry about what you can’t save, save what you can. The worst attitude, if you’ve saved $30 and need $25 for a necessity, is to say there’s no point in saving that paltry $5.

Save the $5, add to it from your next paycheck. That’s how it grows.

[Sara]

Give yourself some grace. Life happens to all of us. And then, sit down and figure out how much life has happened to you this past year, and then budget for it like it is all going to happen every year.

[Annette]

There are only two ways, decrease spending or increase income.

I had 2/3 jobs most of my life, then thankfully it all evened out.

[Christina]

Are you able to donate plasma? I have done it in the past, if I were go 2 times a week it pays in my area about 375 a month.

If I weigh more than 150, I could get paid more, because they can take more plasma.

I only do it when it is a must to get out of a bind, some donate regularly…

[James]

Don’t be discouraged! Life is a bit of a roller coaster and the best part is you’re not going into debt. You are covering these expenses with money on hand! W2G!

Nearly 40% of folks in our nation can’t do what you’re doing.

Keep your head up and you’ll see your savings grow.

[Condolita]

My mom once told me you can be happy you have it (savings to take care of incidentials) or you can be mad you have it (savings to take care of incidentials)..

you can’t be both…life happens.. be thankful and proud your disciplined enough to be prepared…kuddos!!

[Chanell]

Does your financial institution have Christmas club accounts? You can still save small amounts in a term account and then when the term ends if you haven’t had anything come up you can put it back in savings for another term.

The point is to have the habit and stick to it.

[Johnson]

Where is your written budget
Or a spreadsheet

Do you have a list of your expenses and debts
You need an emergency fund
Look up Dave Ramsey on YouTube

[Jeanne]

What specifically for you is life that keeps on happening? Illness, car or home repairs, vet bills? You need to see what you’re spending money on and how.

Are you repairing the same item day after day and month after month? Then buy a better part or replace that item.

You can also increase income. Look at current spending and see where you can cut – grocery costs ((what do you toss at the end of the month), electric cell phone, car and home or renters insurance.

Do you make unnecessary trips to places and can you bundle some things?

[Sue]

Maybe either cut back on something, like buy generic food, stop buying clothes, get part- time job, sell something online, get a roommate.

Go to the library instead of buying books

[Tommy]

You gotta stick with it. Sell stuff you don’t need, increase income and decrease spending.

[Coral]

Sadly, one of life’s realities is that we can expect the unexpected! It needs to be a line item in your budget, because either you, your house, your job or your car can be guaranteed to periodically throw a spanner in the works!

[Theresa]

Pat yourself on the back, you are doing good keeping up with life! It’s hard to save with the crazy prices these days, but at least you have been able to pay for the surprises that come your way.

The only thing I can offer is maybe consider using cash and keeping a change jar.

I know it sounds crazy but you’d be surprised how fast it adds up. Withdraw cash for your monthly groceries, gas, etc and put all coin change in the jar.

I do this and have been very surprised how fast it adds up! Best part is once you start dropping your change in the jar, it becomes habit and you forget about the reward it holds!!

[John]

If you’re working 60 hours a week, wirh low expenses you need to find a better job.

Could you find a lower cost place to live, lower priced vehicle?

[Amy]

Can you put an ad for a roommate (or 2) to help with utilities, rent & grocery bills?

Perhaps a friend that has a girlfriend or boyfriend & expenses can be split 3 ways.

[Author]

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