In uncertain times—whether it’s the looming threat of a recession or the personal shake-up of a job loss—having a bare-bones budget (BBB) ready can be a game-changer. Think of it as your financial fire drill: not fun to think about, but absolutely essential.
We’ll be the first to admit: we’ve only sketched out our BBB mentally, never actually written it down. But putting it on paper is powerful. It forces clarity. It also gives you a clearer target for your emergency fund—maybe 6x your monthly BBB, plus a little extra cushion for things like insurance deductibles or unexpected home repairs.
This recent post from How to Money [link] dives into the why and how of creating a bare-bones budget. It’s a solid reminder that preparing for the worst doesn’t make you paranoid—it makes you resilient.
One question we’re still debating: would you cut your gym membership right away? Or use the extra time during unemployment to double down on fitness as a free stress-reliever? Let us know where you’d trim and where you’d invest.
