Why Saving For The Sunny Days Is Just As Important As The Rainy Ones

If you’ve read any sort of personal finance book or blog in the last few months, you know the importance of saving for a rainy day in an emergency fund. A small bad day, can be totally catastrophic when you don’t have the money saved away. A flat tire could set you back $180, and if you’re not prepared, it can be an overwhelming and stressful situation that ruins your week and your ability to pay off debt in time.

Right now, I’m working on building up my emergency fund. After graduating to no jobs in the recession, I had to skate by on limited income and luckily, had saved up a small cushion while I was an undergrad by working, using library books instead of buying, and commuting to campus instead of living in school housing. That cushion, though it was small, saved me- but the feeling of not knowing when things would turn around and money would be less of an issue stuck with me. If I were to lose my job or I needed to make a last minute trip back to California to take care of family, I want to be prepared. There are so many unknowns in this world, my ability to financially handle them shouldn’t be one of them.

Two years ago, I set up an automatic savings account, and each paycheck, whatever I could afford- 10-20%, was put away. When I was barely earning chicken scraps, it wasn’t much- but it gave me piece of mind. Whenever I get birthday money or an unexpected side hustle payment, I usually put half in the emergency fund, and then half towards a fun goal or something immediate to keep me motivated.

Speaking of fun goals- why not save for sunny days too?

Staying motivated when you’re being financially responsible is key to sustainability. Initially, I couldn’t afford to save for “fun,” so I just worked on building my emergency fund and paying off my student loan debt and for a time, that was a huge boost- just to feel prepared! Now that I’ve been saving for two years, I’ve started an “Adventure Fund.”

This is Tokyo Disney…yes, I would travel across the world to see something from home, but this will be a part of bigger tour of Japan! (source)

My Adventure Fund gets me really excited, and though I just started it a few months ago- I have $700.42 put away…eek! It’s really a sunshine fund since, if we have another crummy winter next year, if I am over it, I can easily use the money to book a flight to a tropical beach, or I can put it towards my big trip to Japan. What I love is that it will afford me the freedom when I need it most. If next February I want to turn over a table because the temperatures are in the 20’s, I can book a flight down to Florida or a cruise to the Bahamas. If I want to surprise my dad on his birthday with a trip, I could afford that too.

Freedom and adventure, that gets me excited!

I have never used my passport. I have never crossed the Atlantic. I have never visited a tropical island. There is so much that I haven’t done, and I cannot wait to get started- but when the time comes, I will be ready.

This is the Hilton at Bora Bora. (source….since it will be some time before I can photograph this place in person!)

Bora Bora. OMG OMG. This is the ultimate lux destination for me, and something I would be saving for on a future honeymoon- now I need to just find the groom, ha! Looking at pictures of Bora Bora just take me away. Though I’m excited about Japan beyond belief- there is something about Bora Bora that would be the ultimate “sunny day” for me- when I can afford to visit there, I will know I’ve arrived. Until then, I’m going to be working, saving and dreaming- isn’t that the beauty of life? The journey is just as joyful as the day you arrive at your destination!

At SunTrust Bank their purpose is lighting the way to financial well-being. When you feel confident about your money, you can save for your goals and spend knowingly on what matters most to you. They know we all live for the sunny days and want to you help you live yours.

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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of SunTrust. The opinions and text are all mine.