I didn’t realize how broke I was until my car needed a $120 repair

This week was one of those “of course it happens now” moments.

My car started making a weird noise on the way to work. I kept hoping it was nothing, but I finally took it in and it turned out to be a small repair - $120 total.

Objectively, I know that’s not a huge amount.

But when the mechanic told me the price, my stomach dropped because I realized I didn’t actually have $120 available without messing something else up.

I ended up paying it, but now I’m doing that mental math of which grocery items I can skip and which bill I can push a few days.

It made me realize how fragile my situation still is. I thought I was doing a little better lately, but one small expense and I’m right back in stress mode.

Trying not to spiral and just focus on getting through the next couple weeks.

For people who’ve been here before -- what helped you build your first real emergency cushion, even if it was tiny?Writing

Title: I didn’t realize how broke I was until my car needed a $120 repair

This week was one of those “of course it happens now” moments.

My car started making a weird noise on the way to work. I kept hoping it was nothing, but I finally took it in and it turned out to be a small repair - $120 total.

Objectively, I know that’s not a huge amount.

But when the mechanic told me the price, my stomach dropped because I realized I didn’t actually have $120 available without messing something else up.

I ended up paying it, but now I’m doing that mental math of which grocery items I can skip and which bill I can push a few days.

It made me realize how fragile my situation still is. I thought I was doing a little better lately, but one small expense and I’m right back in stress mode.

Trying not to spiral and just focus on getting through the next couple weeks.

For people who’ve been here before -w hat helped you build your first real emergency cushion, even if it was tiny?