An unexpected financial hit can take a chunk out of your budget, including your savings. From a financial perspective, preparing for an unexpected emergency is essential.
That’s why money expert Clark Howard recommends everyone have an “oops” fund for unexpected expenses.
In this article, I’ll list seven unexpected expenses that can bust your budget and share Clark’s advice on preventing that.
Unexpected Expenses You Should Plan For
If any of these unfortunate events happen to you, you might have to pay — quickly — to get them fixed. Even if you make an insurance claim, you’ll almost always have to pay a deductible.
Let’s take a look at some things that could happen to anyone and how much those things could cost you out of pocket.
Note: The prices listed below are for illustrative purposes only and will vary based on many factors including where you live.
7 Small Emergencies That Can Break Your Budget
| Emergency | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Child care (one week) | $192 to $766 |
| Cell phone screen replacement | $70 — $400 |
| Cracked car windshield | $60 — $125 |
| Dryer repair | $107 to $249 |
| Pet Surgery (Cat) | $1,500 to $3,000 |
| Tree Removal | $200 to $2,000 |
| Water heater repair | $220 – $978 |
Of course, there are many more. But as you can see, unexpected expenses, even the kind that happen all the time, can add up quickly. So how can you make sure you’re prepared?
Clark’s Solution: Build an ‘Oops’ Fund
When it comes to dealing with unexpected expenses, Clark says the key is to practice something we should be doing anyway: saving.
“If you don’t have savings then you’re not prepared for the ‘oops’ in life,” Clark says. “Because oops happen — all different types and sizes — and a lot of times we’re not in a position to deal with them.”
To be prepared for the unexpected, Clark wants you to follow this two-step process:
- Save Money
- Create an Oops Fund
How To Start: Save Money
The very first thing you need to do is get out of debt. After that, begin saving money by putting away small amounts of your paycheck. Even $10 a pay period is a starting point. As the weeks and months go by, see if you can double that to $20 a paycheck.
Track your progress by writing it down. Create a budget to help you stay on track.
Once you’ve got some money saved, you can open a savings account that allows you to gain interest over time.
Final Thoughts
Clark says the numbers show that if you’re not saving, the risk of financial difficulty is much higher.
“Surveys show, no matter how the question is asked, that roughly half of Americans cannot handle a simple financial hiccup in their lives — some part of our car breaks, or something in your home needs repairing or replacing or whatever it is that’s a surprise,” he says.
“That’s why having savings in an oops fund or emergency fund is so important.”You may be wondering how to go about building an oops fund. Read our in-depth guide on how to create an emergency fund.
