Valerie E. Rumbough, CPA, CFP
Vice President of Finance
I know I should save for a rainy day, but it seems that I can never get ahead of the "little emergencies" that come up. Do other people have this problem? How do you overcome it?
This is a very common occurrence. There are several things that you can do, though, to move toward "getting ahead." First of all, review your budget. Your goal should be to always spend less than you make. If this is not the case with you, you should review your spending habits and make adjustments where necessary. Track your spending habits for a few weeks if you are not sure where the money goes. This can be very revealing, causing you to find ways to cut back.
Second, start with something, even if it is only $5 a month. This is better than doing nothing. Then, as your income increases and/or your monthly obligations decrease, you can add to your savings account. One good way to do this is to split your additional cash 50/50, between your regular budget and your savings account. You'll find that before long, you will begin to build up a small nest egg that you will become very protective of.
Most important, remember that it is God's will that you be financially responsible. The Bible talks more about money than any other subject, except love. Commit your finances to God, and He will give you wisdom and resources to accomplish His will for your life.