Molly’s Money | Saving for a SUNNY Day

*This post is sponsored by Suntrust Bank*

If this is your first time here, Molly’s Money is a regular series I write on this blog that includes ALL things personal finance – debt management, budgeting, home buying, savings, investment, etc. I am NOT a financial advisor, but I am married to one! These are just things that I have learned over the years as I struggled with my own personal finances and ultimately, became debt free in 2012. Got a question about money that you want answered? Leave it in the comments below or email me!

When I was working to become debt free, working on my savings was something I really de-prioritized. I am not even 100% sure that’s a real word, but I like it and I’m sticking with it. Let’s just say, savings weren’t a priority because every dollar that came in was PRECIOUS and needed to go towards something right that very second.

Once I really started working on my budget and working on changing the way I viewed money and interacted with money, I realized that I desperately needed to start saving. Why? Well, because life happens. Stuff happens. Your engine breaks or you need new tires on your car or the heat pump or air conditioning goes out or your dishwasher goes kaput… you just never know and so I really learned the importance of that emergency fund – aka: that “rainy day” fund.

But, as someone who lived in the trenches of severe broke-ness for many years, I knew how depressing it was and completely unmotivating to pour every penny towards debt and towards the emergency fund. It feels kinda “womp womp,” if you know what I mean. You just always feel like you’re living for the future and the “oh no!” moments.

It’s not very fun.

And let me emphasize this right quick… I realize that I got myself into debt and I had to pay the price, literally, to get out of it. I made too many financial mistakes because of impulse purchases and things I wanted to do or buy but couldn’t ACTUALLY afford. So, let’s get it straight that it’s important to learn from those mistakes so that you don’t make them again.

With that being said, one of the things that John and I have started trying to do is create a separate savings fund… for the SUNNY days.

You know, the things in life that you look FORWARD to!

• Like a trip across the country
• Like a Dave Matthews Band concert… at Red Rocks in Colorado! (Life dream… :))
• Like a trip to Africa
• Like a shopping spree on Fifth Avenue in New York
• Like a shiny new car
• Like COLLEGE for your children… seeing my daughter walk across that stage to get her diploma would be awesome
• Like a new set of golf clubs
• Like a missions trip
• Like a family vacation to Disney World! (I’ve ALWAYS wanted to go!)
• Etc…

Why don’t we SAVE for those days?

Come to think of it… why don’t we LIVE for those days?

Let’s be honest…. no one saves and looks FORWARD to the day your car breaks down. No one saves and looks forward to the rainy days.

So, let’s flip the whole idea on it’s head and start saving for the SUNNY days. I’m not saying you shouldn’t save for the rainy days… you absolutely should… but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy life and LIVE for the sunny days either.

If we constantly live in this world where we treat money like it can only be spent on life’s horrors… well, then we’ll start to build up a sense of bitterness towards it and that doesn’t do you any good, now does it?

So, it’s time I think we all start living and saving for the sunny days.

What do YOU think?

• What would “living for a SUNNY day” mean to you? How is it different from saving for a RAINY day?
• How would “living for a SUNNY day” make you feel?
• What steps would you take to live for a SUNNY day?
• What SUNNY day are you living for?

In the meantime, if you’re looking for more great financial tips, tricks, money inspiration and motivation… sign up to receive the Suntrust Bank SHINE Newsletter! It’s a great resource that will help you to set a plan to achieve your financial goals!

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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Want to get your sunny day started now? Visit the SunTrust resource center anytime for help achieving your financial goals.

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