Brighter futures hinge on what we do today. One important strategy for avoiding financial disaster is to have money put aside for those proverbial rainy days; but how to save when you're still struggling? Lauren Lyons Cole, a CFP, says a financial disaster can have the positive side effect of jump-starting your budget.
"The hardest part about being on a budget is being realistic," Cole says.
When budgeting, Cole advises building in savings in order to create a financial cushion. "Saving even $50 a month in a high-yield savings account can go a long way toward keeping you on track the next time something unexpected comes up," she says.
For help, she suggests online account aggregators such as Mint.com and LearnVest.com.