When you make your budget, consider a contingency plan or a rainy day account. Many of us who live paycheck to paycheck, can't even conceptualize a rainy day account. Every day is a rainy day when it comes to our finances. But remember what I said about thinking differently about our finances? Well, part of thinking differently is looking at our financial situation more positively. It's hard but if you think more positively about your money management skills, you will make more positive decisions toward reaching your goal of being debt free.
The contingency could simply be a few dollars set aside in a savings account. In fact, if you make "paying yourself first" a priority and list it right along with your creditors, you'll begin to build a decent rainy day account.
We are only human so please allow for slippage. On occasion, and perhaps more often in the beginning until you get more disciplined, you will overspend. That should not be a license to toss everything we're working toward out the window. When it happens, simply make an adjustment so that it is covered by the end of the month.
