Let’s talk about something we all know we need but might not be too thrilled about: an emergency fund. Yeah, that stash of cash you hope you’ll never have to touch, but it’s there just in case life decides to throw you a curveball.

You’ve probably heard it a million times. “You need an emergency fund!” Here’s the thing. Actually building one can feel like a huge challenge, especially when money is tight, but what if I told you that you can build an emergency fund without feeling broke or sacrificing all the things that make life fun? Yes, it’s possible, and I’m going to show you how.

First off, let’s ditch the idea that you need to save up three to six months of expenses right off the bat. That’s overwhelming, and honestly, who has that kind of extra cash lying around? Instead, start small. Aim for one month of your current salary. It’s a solid cushion that can handle a minor car repair, an unexpected bill, or a last-minute trip home. Once you have one month of salary in the savings, move the goalpost to two months, and so on. Small steps lead to big results.

You know how sometimes you blink and your paycheck seems to disappear? That’s life, but here’s a hack that will help. Make saving automatic. Set up a small, regular transfer from your checking account to your savings account. It could be $10 a week, $20 a month, or whatever works for you. Over time, this adds up, and before you know it, you’ll have that emergency fund growing without even trying.

Saving doesn’t have to mean cutting out all the fun. Look for areas where you can trim a little fat without feeling like you’re missing out. Maybe it’s brewing your own coffee instead of hitting up Starbucks or having a movie night at home instead of going to the theater. Little tweaks like this can free up cash that goes straight into your fund. You’ll still enjoy life but just with a bit more financial peace of mind.

Life happens, and sometimes you’ll need to dip into your emergency fund. That’s okay. That’s what it’s there for. Don’t beat yourself up. Just start building it back up when you can. The key is to stay flexible and not stress out about perfection. As long as you’re making progress, you’re doing great.