[Fizgig]

2006 has been all about the emergency fund. It's gone from a big fat zero in January to $6100 at the beginning of October, and my initial goal for the year was $7200 (four months of living expenses). Once I got there I was going to split my savings contributions 70-30, with 70% going into the emergency fund to build up to six months of expenses, and the other 30% going into a splurge account so that I could buy furniture next year.

Up until now my living room has one couch, one lamp, one coffee table, a TV on cinderblocks, and the cable box and DVD player on the floor. I really wanted to buy a cushy chair and a TV armoir. I had my eye on one armoir in particular, and it cost $1000. I was hoping to talk them down to maybe $700 and buy it early next year.

Well, the furniture company went bankrupt and is liquidating everything, completely closing up shop in three weeks. I went to their clearance center, found the armoir that I wanted, and talked them down to $400. I LOVE IT, and I have an actual living room now. I can still make my EF goal by the end of the year.

Did I cheat on my emergency fund, or did I do the right thing by snapping up an awesome deal when I had the chance?

(By the way, if anyone is in the market for furniture, it's a Pottery Barn-like chain called "Storehouse". They're not in all states, but it's good stuff and WAY cheap right now.)