How to save $1000 for my emergency fund
How I did it: Followed a strict budget and cut away any nonessentials...but leave room for "fun" & miscellaneous since stuff comes up & you'll go crazy without any release.
Lived way below my means (ie eat generic brands v name) and didn't feel any different.
Looked for deals and renegotiated rates (ie insurance)
Tried to get extra money from whatever sources possible (surveys, odd jobs, gifts).
Kept the end goal in mind.
Also, having a different bank account with high interest (tough in this economy but they exist) helps....check out bankrate.com for starters
Focus, focus, focus!
Lessons & tips: Keep a different bank account that I can draw on in emergency (money market with checks/debit card) but always left these at home so I wouldn't be tempted to use or use by accident.
Focused on acheiving this goal and how I'd be prepared for emergencies.
Read a lot about how to save money creatively. And do these lessons learned. Even just one will make a difference.
Live below your means.
Intensity makes it possible.
Ignore your spendthrift friends. This is your money & your life here!
I was unemployed (now I'm just underemployed) so if I can do it so can you!
Resources: The Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyzyn
A Million Before 30 by Alan Corey
Anything by Dave Ramsey
Any book on finance you can find (keep learning!)
Various Financial sites/blogs (fool.com, mint.com, for example)
A bank account with a high rate of interest (not much especially right now but bankrate.com helps & every cent counts towards the goal!)
Knowing that having this will keep you out of trouble and exorbitant finance charges in case an emergency happens down the road.
Survey sites which pay:
surveyspot.com
greenfieldonline.com
your2cents.com
testspin.com
erewards.com
