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?

4 comments

4 Comments

vera_robinson362mo 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.

jason_lewis32mo ago

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.

vera_robinson362mo agoMost Upvoted

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.

the_taylor17d ago

Take that phone case trick a step further and tape the bill to the back of your phone with a piece of blue painter's tape. The tape leaves no sticky residue and you have to peel it off intentionally every single time. Makes it feel like you're actually stealing from your future self if you spend it on dumb stuff. Plus when you're at the register you look like a total weirdo fumbling with tape so you'll only do it if you're really desperate for a tow or whatever. I tried it for three months and only touched the cash once when my kid needed medicine at 2am.