Why Now Is the Time to Build Your Emergency Plan
If there was ever a moment to step back, breathe, and take a good look at your financial foundation, it’s now.
Many families today feel stretched thin, even the ones who make good money. And if you’ve been feeling stress, uncertainty, or even shame around your finances, let me say this clearly:
You are not alone. You are not failing. And you are not broken.
Life is heavy right now. Between a historic 43-day government shutdown, rising unemployment, record auto debt, and the cost of everything going up, families everywhere are carrying the weight of questions like:
“Are we going to be okay?”
“Are we prepared if something happens?”
“Why are we doing ‘fine’ on paper but still feel stressed?”
These questions matter. And the fact that you’re asking them means you care deeply about your family, your future, and the legacy you’re building.
And that’s why having an emergency plan…a real one, matters now more than ever.
The Warning Lights Are Flashing— And Your Feelings Are Valid
Let’s start with what’s happening around us:
- Unemployment rose to 4.4% in September 2025, the highest in more than two years. (BLS.gov)
- About 7.4 million Americans are currently out of work. (BLS.gov)
- Auto loan delinquency has climbed to the highest rate in nearly 30 years. (Reuters)
- Americans now carry $1.66 trillion in auto-loan debt. (Rising Auto Debt Sounds Alarm)
- Inflation increased 3.0% over the past year, raising the cost of nearly everything. (BLS.gov)
- 73% of Americans say rising prices have prevented them from saving.
- The personal saving rate dropped to 4.6%, near historic lows. (bea.gov)
If any part of that makes your stomach tighten or your chest feel heavy, that doesn’t mean you’re irresponsible, it means you’re human.
Most people were never taught how to prepare for uncertainty.
And most high-income families are simply too busy trying to keep up with life to stop and build a margin of safety.
But the truth is this:
Life doesn’t wait for us to get ready.
But we can decide to start preparing… today!
A Personal Story — And Why This Matters So Much to Me
In September, after 17 years in my corporate career, I suddenly lost my job.
Even with experience, work ethic, and a good salary, nothing could prevent that moment from happening. And for a second, it took the wind out of me.
But something was different this time.
This unexpected season didn’t break us. It didn’t throw our family into panic. We didn’t have sleepless nights wondering how long we could last.
And that’s because years earlier, my wife and I built an emergency plan.
A real one.
Slowly. Consistently. With intention.
We had:
- a fully funded emergency fund
- retirement accounts on track
- our kids’ education savings set aside
- organized finances
- shared communication and clarity
So when the storm hit, we felt the emotional weight, yes. But we also felt peace.
We took time to pray, reflect, think clearly, and plan our next steps.
We didn’t make fear-based decisions.
We didn’t scramble.
We didn’t fall into crisis mode.
And friend, that’s the kind of peace I want for you too.
Not perfection. Not pressure.
Just preparation and the confidence that comes with it.
What an Emergency Plan really Is
An emergency plan is your financial safety net, the cushion that keeps you steady when life gets hard.
An emergency plan is more than an account.
It’s safety.
It’s emotional margin.
It’s dignity.
It’s the ability to breathe again.
A real emergency plan includes:
- 3–6 months of essential expenses
- Money that’s easy to access
- A plan that both spouses can understand and agree on
- A sense of unity, not confusion
- Slow, steady, meaningful progress
And here’s the important part:
It’s not reserved for “perfect” families.
It’s built by everyday families, just like yours, one choice at a time.
What an Emergency Plan Is Not
It’s not your retirement fund.
It’s not your vacation money.
It’s not money invested in the market.
It’s not a credit card “you’ll pay off later”.
And it’s not something you will do “when life slows down”.
It’s protection — not punishment.
And it’s built for real emergencies: job loss, medical bills, major repairs… the things that knock the wind out of you when you aren’t ready.
If You Feel Behind, Please Hear This
High-income families often tell me:
“We make too much money to feel this stressed.”
“We should be further ahead by now.”
“I’m scared we’ll never really get traction.”
“I’m embarrassed we haven’t saved more.”
“We want to do better, but we don’t know where to start.”
These aren’t financial problems, they’re emotional burdens.
And you don’t overcome burdens with shame.
You overcome them with clarity, encouragement, and support.
You’re not behind, you’re beginning.
And beginnings are holy ground!
How to Get Started— With Grace for Yourself
- Calculate your real number.
What are your true essential expenses? (Most people guess wrong.) - Multiply that number by 3–6 months.
You don’t need to hit 6 right away.
You just need to know the path forward. - Open a separate “Emergency Fund” account.
Label it clearly. - Start small.
$25 a week.
An automated transfer.
A tax refund.
A bonus.
It doesn’t matter — just start. - Be patient with yourself.
Progress is what matters. Consistency is what changes everything.
A Simple Tool to Help You Start Today
I created this because I’ve sat across from countless families who feel overwhelmed and stuck. They want clarity — not complicated spreadsheets.
Here’s the tool I made just for you:
👉 Free Emergency Plan Preparedness Tool https://www.tjrfinancialcoaching.com/emergencycalculator
This quick calculator helps you:
It will help you:
- Calculate your emergency fund amount
- See how many months you could cover right now
- Identify your gap
- Build a simple, doable plan to close it
Clarity reduces anxiety.
Direction restores confidence.
This tool gives you both.
If You Want Support, I’m Here
Most couples don’t need someone to judge them — they need someone to guide them.
Someone who will sit with them, listen to their story, understand their fears, and help them build a path forward that actually works.
If you’re ready for clarity, unity, and peace:
👉 Book a Free 30-Minute Call
No pressure.
No sales pitch.
Just a conversation.
Just support.
Just the first step toward the life you’ve been wanting.
You Can Do This — And You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
No matter where you’re starting today, you can build:
- stability
- confidence
- peace
- unity in your marriage
- a foundation for your kids
- margin for what matters
- room to dream again
And I’ll be right here walking with you, encouraging you, and reminding you that you are capable of more than you think.
Dream Big. Live Free.
Your future deserves it.
About the Author
TJ Recinella (Owner/ Founder of TJR Financial Coaching)
TJ is a financial coach that helps couples who earn good money but feel like they have nothing to show for it. They’re unsure about their financial situation and frustrated that they aren’t where they should be. He provides a path forward and helps them believe in themselves so they can get unstuck, gain confidence, take control and change their financial future.
Let’s chat—book a free call:
.