A large number of Americans have no emergency funds. And now, because of the pandemic, around half of those who had a rainy-day savings have drained those funds, according to Magnify Money‡. This means many families are unprepared for an unexpected event that results in a significant expense, a loss of income, or both—like a trip to the emergency room, a car repair or unexpected taxes.

Budgeting for surprise expenses and planning

A key to saving is to understand how you are spending. Nerdwallet pointed out that by budgeting monthly income and expenses‡, it’s possible to get a clearer picture of where your money is going and to see where you can make small changes. Even incremental savings can add up quickly.

Some of the biggest and most effective ways to save for your emergency fund involve looking at the following common expenses:

Housing

If you’re a homeowner, mortgage payments make up a big chunk of your monthly expenses. Look into refinancing your mortgage at a lower interest rate to potentially reduce your monthly payment amount. If you rent, ask your landlord about resigning your lease and locking in a lower rent amount, which may be available for longer lease durations.

Insurance

Studies have shown that drivers and homeowners may be able to save on their insurance policies by comparing rates and switching rather than renewing. When comparing rates, consider getting quotes from regional companies as well as larger, state-wide companies.

Cut the cable

Consider dropping your cable plan and choosing one or more streaming services or reduce your channel package to save some dollars. You can also look into deals and promotions with a different provider and consider switching to a different service.

Know your rewards

To save as much as possible for your emergency fund, make sure you’re not missing out on tax credits, store discounts and other small saving opportunities that can accrue over time.

  • The most effective tax prep starts early. Make sure you are claiming all applicable tax credits and working closely with your tax professional to see all of your options.
  • Pay attention to sales, store discounts and credit card rewards, but use them wisely. A discount or coupon is only worthwhile when it’s for something you actually need. Don’t be lured by the potential “savings” on discounted items that are not in your budget.
  • Use apps or websites to shop around for the best prices on everything, whether it’s food, clothes or gas for your car.

A little bit of money saved every day can pile up faster than you think. With a little consistency, you may be surprised at how much you can save, and how easy budgeting for surprise expenses can be.

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