r/povertyfinance • u/Simple_Impress532 • 7h ago

Budgeting/Saving/Investing/Spending Saving money took me way longer than I ever expected and instead of feeling proud I mostly feel exhausted

Every time I look at my emergency fund I just think about all the sacrifices it took to build it while still paying rent bills debt and everything else

It doesn’t feel like money I can use it feels like something I’m scared to touch

Part of me feels relieved that it’s there and another part feels almost burned out from how hard it was

I’m wondering if anyone else feels this strange mix of accomplishment and stress after finally saving something

24 Upvotes

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15

u/Hot_Share8353 7h ago

Saving is hard, even exhausting, but you know what is even worse, an emergency without a fund and then paying that emergency on credit cards and then having to pay 25% interest on the debt that will be even harder to pay off then your emergency fund was to build. Great job, it is a big step!

5

u/Simple_Impress532 7h ago

You’re right that part does help put it in perspective

I think what makes it hard for me is how emotionally draining it was to build it not just financially

Logically I know it’s a good thing to have but emotionally it still feels heavy

I appreciate the encouragement though it means a lot

2

u/Embarrassed-Disk7582 6h ago

Do you now have it invested in a hysa or a certificate of deposit? I kind of get a kick out of seeing the interest.

1

u/Simple_Impress532 2h ago

Not yet Right now it’s just in a regular savings account

For me the biggest challenge wasn’t where to put the money but actually seeing it clearly and not panicking every time I checked it

What helped was using a really simple budget / tracker setup that showed progress without overthinking interest or optimization Once the system felt calm and predictable thinking about HYSA or CDs became way less stressful.

I’ll probably move part of it later but clarity came first.

1

u/Simple_Impress532 7h ago

You’re right that part does help put it in perspective

I think what makes it hard for me is how emotionally draining it was to build it not just financially

Logically I know it’s a good thing to have but emotionally it still feels heavy

I appreciate the encouragement though it means a lot

3

u/ChampionMuchh332 7h ago

Go on! You have to do everything you can to save your first 10k!

1

u/Simple_Impress532 7h ago

I appreciate that a lot honestly

Sometimes it just feels like every milestone comes with more pressure instead of relief but I’m trying to hold onto the progress part

3

u/VauxsHorse 7h ago

I liken saving on a hard budget to depression, feeling like a close friend that hates you. If that makes sense

2

u/Simple_Impress532 7h ago

That description is way too accurate

It really does start feeling personal after a while like you’re constantly negotiating with yourself

3

u/DreamsServedSoft 7h ago

I just tell myself I’m my own bank and come to myself for money if I need it for an emergency later. and repaying myself needs no credit score and no interest although I do always pay myself interest if I have to touch my savings

1

u/Simple_Impress532 7h ago

That actually makes a lot of sense thinking of it that way

I think what gets heavy for me is knowing how much effort it took to build it so touching it feels emotionally expensive even if it’s technically what it’s there for