Hey Sara. Building an emergency fund when you're scraping by is tough, but it's doable if you start small and stay consistent. First, track every dollar you spend for a couple of weeks to see where your money's really going. Use a simple app like Mint or just a notebook to log expenses, and you'll probably spot leaks like that daily coffee that adds up to $50 a month. Once you have that insight, create a bare-bones budget that covers rent, food, and debt minimums before anything else. Aim to set aside that $20 to $40 per paycheck automatically into a separate high-yield savings account & like one from Ally Bank, so it's out of sight and earning a bit of interest.
I remember when I was in a similar spot, sharing an apartment and juggling debt - I started by cutting cable and cooking cheap meals with my roommate, which freed up about $30 extra each month. Be realistic with your energy during busy seasons. don't overhaul everything at once, or you'll burn out. A pitfall I hit was ignoring irregular bills like car repairs, so now I always add a buffer for those surprises. If you're in a small town with limited options, focus on local gigs like pet sitting through community boards to boost income without much time commitment. Over time, those small wins build up, and before you know it, you've got a cushion that gives real peace of mind.
