good point above about what constitutes an "emergency." if you know it's coming, ala the pet bills (which I share) that were mentioned, then that shouldn't be an emergency. you should have planned ahead of time and have the money ready...well, as close as you can foresee, a concept I learned this year when my buddy's $120 annual checkup turned into about $500 because he needed an operation. fortunately I paid for it out of "daily" cash and it didn't dent the e-fund....cool what you can do with no cc or car payments!


I currently have $3000 with GMAC for my fund, that would keep me afloat for about 4 months if I should need to get by without a job (yes of course things would be cut in that eventuality).

I now send $50 per paycheck to that account as a "trickle."

I doubt I'll ever stop, at least in the foreseeable future since I've become so accustomed to the deduction, I no longer miss it.

yes, it's nice having your biggest concern each check being, should I send some to GMAC, or to Vanguard?

it's still new to me (after many years of stupidity) and I'm still wallowing in the satisfaction so please forgive me.