Want an Emergency Fund But Don’t Know Where to Begin? Here Are 5 Tips to Get You Started

An emergency fund isn’t just for major disasters. It’s for life’s everyday surprises: a flat tire, an unexpected medical bill, or a layoff you didn’t see coming. And while the idea of saving up months of expenses might sound overwhelming, getting started is easier than you think.

“An emergency fund is what stands between you and high-interest debt when things inevitably go wrong with your home, car, health, or life in general,” says Jeremy Zuke, a financial planner at Abundo Wealth. As a result, having some savings tucked away can help keep that surprise expense from becoming a shockingly big one.

Here are five practical tips for getting your emergency fund off the ground—no big budget overhaul required.

1. Set a Realistic Goal for Your Emergency Fund

Yes, the gold standard for emergency funds is saving enough to cover three to six months of expenses. But that’s not where you need to begin.

“An emergency fund of a few thousand dollars is an amazing start,” says Zuke. That alone can cover unexpected car or home repairs, medical bills, or emergency travel.

Rather than fixating on a massive number, break it into milestones: $500, then $1,000, then a month of expenses. This makes the process feel doable and gives you quick wins to stay motivated. From there, build toward the longer-term goal of weathering a job loss or other major disruption.

2. Start Small—It’s About Consistency, Not Amount

You don’t need hundreds of dollars a month to build an emergency fund—you just need to begin.

“Setting up an emergency fund is simple—don’t overthink it,” says Zuke. “Most high-yield savings accounts have no minimum, so you could start with as little as $50 or $100.”

Start with whatever you can afford—even if it’s $10 or $25 a week. Consistent progress adds up quickly. And if you get a bonus, refund, or cash gift, consider setting aside a chunk toward your fund before spending the rest.

3. Automate Your Contributions

Automating your savings can help ensure you stay on track with your goals. “I strongly recommend automating your monthly contribution because when you never see the money, it’s easier to avoid accidentally spending it,” Zuke says.

Set up recurring transfers to a dedicated high-yield savings account so your savings can keep working for you. Better yet, Zuke suggests routing part of your paycheck directly into savings via your employer’s direct deposit system. “That way, you truly never see the money as available to spend,” he notes.

4. Consider Keeping Some Savings in Your Own Name

Joint accounts make sense for many shared expenses, but your emergency fund shouldn’t be entirely communal.

“Each partner or spouse in a relationship should have a little bit of savings in their own name,” says Zuke. “If for any reason someone needed to leave a relationship, having all the funds in a joint account is risky because any joint owner could take all the money.”

Having individual access to at least a portion of your savings ensures personal security in case of relationship changes, urgent needs, or any other unexpected emergency.

5. Having Trouble? Find Small Ways to Boost Income

If your current budget is stretched too thin, consider small, manageable ways to earn extra cash, just enough to funnel into your savings.

This could be as simple as tutoring, pet sitting, or freelancing a skill you already have. Side income doesn’t need to be permanent or time-consuming. Even $100 per month from a few quick jobs can snowball into a $1,200 cushion by year’s end.

The Bottom Line

You don’t have to be wealthy to build a financial safety net. Set a small, manageable goal that you can work up to over time. Automate your savings, and direct them into a separate high-yield account where they can grow quietly in the background.

The most important part is getting started—because the next emergency isn’t a question of if, but when.