Sinking Funds: The Budgeting System Nobody Taught You
Chile, let me tell you about the year I cried over a car repair. The check engine light came on in October. The mechanic told me $400 — money I had earmarked for Christmas. I sat in the parking lot afterwards and cried, because I had known the car was making a weird sound for months. I had known the holidays were coming. Sinking funds are the budgeting system nobody taught us — the one that turns 'big surprise expenses' into a non-event. Here are the 10 sinking funds every rich girl needs, the simplest setup, and how to start with just three.
The 'Would I Pay Cash For This?' Test: My Petty Little Rule for Big Purchases
I joined a vacation club. Yes, me — the same woman always preaching about not getting talked into stuff. I sat through the pitch, did the math, signed the paper. And I'm not mad about it. The only reason I'm not mad? One petty little question I now ask myself before every big purchase: would I pay cash for this, today, in twenties, out of my actual wallet? It's the rule that's saved me thousands on the no's and given me peace on the yes's.