Who said saving money and building up an emergency fund had to be difficult? It can even be a little bit of fun if you put some thought into it. There are tons of effective and creative ways to build your emergency fund.
Here are some of my personal favorites:
1. Ask the bank about savings programs
Most banks (and credit unions!) have some type of program that allows you to automatically save a certain amount. Others offer programs that round your purchase up and put the change overage in an account. Find out what your bank offers and join the fun. It adds up!
Related: Banish Fees & Overcharges From Your Budget!
2. Collect aluminum/metals
Taking the time to do this will not only help your emergency fund, it will also help the environment. That is a double win.
Related: How to Use Coupons
3. Have a yard sale
Why not get rid of some clutter while you save money? Yard sales are a great way to purge on occasion and putting the money into an emergency fund is a great motivator. Yard sales are also a ton of fun if you join in as a neighborhood.
4. Cut a particular spending habit
If you are having trouble finding money in your budget for emergency funds, pick out a spending habit you detest. For example, you may have a problem with buying single size drinks rather than larger bottles that are much cheaper. Cut that habit out and every time you get an urge for one, put that money in savings instead. You might be shocked at how much it piles up.
Related: Is Your Expensive Habit Ruining Everything?
5. Make one coin or bill an auto saver
This is a great way to save money and fairly easy to get used to. Pick out a particular coin or bill that you will save every time you get it back in change. For example, every time you get a dime, it will go into a savings jar. When it gets full, roll them up and add them to your emergency fund. If you can afford it you can do this with five dollar bills too.
Related: Make A Date To Go Over Your Budget Every Month!
6. Cut out a particular bill
Like spending habits, there are some bills that can be avoided. Cable is optional for most people and can be eliminated for an emergency fund. It might not be fun but it sure is effective.
Related: How To Watch Your Favorite Shows Without Paying for Cable (Legally)
7. Redo your budget
When you are trying to accomplish something like an emergency fund, you need to make sure you have a plan. Budgets are still the best way to create an emergency fund. Try it and you will like it….eventually.
Related: How To Create A Budget
8. Save your coupon savings
Although it is a mental thing, putting back money that you “would have spent anyway” is highly effective. Use coupons and special offers to save cash and then take that savings and deposit it into your savings account.
Related: Actually Save Money When You Save Money
9. Pick up an extra shift or two
Working a little more is not always possible but if it is, it is still the most efficient way to boost your income. If you can, add a shift or couple of hours to your work schedule for emergency savings only.
Related: How To Start a Money Making Mom Blog!
10. Save based on a day, month or week
This is a ton of fun and can really be effective if you stick with it. The premise is simple. Pick out daily, weekly or monthly to get started. The most popular choice is weekly. There are 52 weeks in a year and you should put back $1 the first week and $2 the next….right up to $52 during week 52.
Related: 10 Easy Ways to Build Up Your Emergency Fund
What are some of your favorite tips for saving up for your emergency fund? Do you already have your emergency fund saved up? How do you replenish it after you use it? Comment below!
Kent says
July 23, 2014 at 1:30 pmI just had to use my emergency fund when my poor dog hurt his neck and I had to take him to the vet. It was nice to know that the money was there when I needed it. Having an emergency fund literally saved his life.
It took me a long time to get that money together, but I will go back to saving it. I save all 5 dollar bills, all quarters and I also have a “no-spend” week every month where I don’t spend any money. I am determined to be debt free in three years and mortgage free in eight. I don’t make a lot of money, but I make a lot of life with the money that I have. Make it fun and it will get done!
Heather says
July 23, 2014 at 6:21 pmI love the idea of a no spend week. That’s awesome. How do you deal with groceries/gas during your no spend week? I’d love to learn more! And I’m so glad your dog is okay!
Elaine says
September 19, 2014 at 6:37 pmMy husband and I never give the exact amount for something. If the cost is $7.01 we give the clerk $8.00 and we always stash the change from that in a jar. You will be surprised how quickly that adds up for an emergency fund for a vacation or whatever..try it. it works.
Heather says
September 21, 2014 at 8:53 amthat’s smart! When I was younger and a cashier at Luby’s there was a man who told me he never spent change and had saved over $100,000 over the course of his life just by saving his change. Amazing!
Trish says
December 21, 2014 at 9:57 pmAs a couponer I love the idea of putting the money saved by couponing aside in a savings account. Our family has used the money saved by couponing to reach other financial goals such as getting a new car.
Heather says
December 22, 2014 at 4:25 pmThat’s great! A new car is such a BIG purchase. It shows that every little bit adds up!