I was sitting in my car outside the post office last Tuesday when my check engine light came on. Figured I'd dip into my savings like usual, but when I checked my account I only had $87 set aside. I thought I was being smart but I was just putting spare change in there. That mechanic bill was $340 and now I'm actually keeping a real emergency fund.
I keep a simple spreadsheet. Just dates and project names. Saw the number today and had to double check. Felt weird. Like it snuck up on me. Never thought Id get past 50 back when I started. Anyone else got a number like that? Something you just looked up one day and it stopped you cold.