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Rant: That stupid $30 "emergency fund" I blew on takeout
Last month in Austin, my car battery died outside the H-E-B parking lot. Had exactly $30 in my emergency envelope for towing. But I wasted it on greasy pizza three days before. Had to beg my brother for a jump start at 9pm. Never again. Anyone else fall for the "just this once" trap with their cash stash?
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vera_robinson361mo agoMost Upvoted
Get rid of the envelope system. Just keep a $20 bill tucked in your phone case for emergencies like that. Way harder to spend on pizza when you gotta pull your phone case off in the checkout line.
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Yeah I used to think the phone case trick was kinda dumb but honestly you might be onto something. Having to physically pull your case off in line would definitely make me think twice before spending it. Maybe having a little more friction is the key to keeping that cash safe.
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Phone case trick works because out of sight really is out of mind with cash. Having to fumble with the phone in a checkout line just feels too awkward to do for a quick treat. That physical barrier saved my emergency fund more than once when I was tempted to buy something dumb.
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