Build A $1,000 “Pa’ Lo Que Sea” Fund

Payday lenders prey on our Latino community with sky-high interest rates. But you don’t have to fall into that trap. Creating a smaller emergency fund, like a guardadito , is the perfect first step to get you ready for life’s little surprises–like if your lavadora stops working out of nowhere. This isn’t your typical 3-6 month emergency fund—this is a more manageable savings goal, typically between $500-$1,000, that’s easy to build and gives you a quick safety net.

Here are simple steps to create your own “Pa’ Lo Que Sea” fund:

1. Set Your Goal: $500 to $1,000

This fund is meant for the smaller emergencies—esa llanta ponchada, a medical co-pay, or the vet bill when your perrito Nacho gets sick . Start by picking an achievable goal—$500 is a good starting point, and you can work your way up to $1,000.

2. Automate Your Savings

The easiest way to reach this goal is by setting up automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings. Even if it’s only $20-$50 cada quincena, you’ll build it up faster than you think. Set it and forget it, and your guardadito will grow!

3. Keep It Separate from Your Main Account

Don’t let it get mixed in with your day-to-day spending. Open a separate savings account—something you can access easily if needed but won’t dip into for non-essentials. That way, sólo lo tocas when it’s truly a “pa’ lo que sea” moment.

4. Use Extra Cash to Boost It

Whenever you get a little extra dinero (tax refund, birthday cash, a bonus), put it directly into your guardadito. Bonus points, if you keep it in a high-yield savings account because you can get a dinero boost every month just through interest alone! It’s an easy way to grow it faster without having to change your regular budget.

5. Prioritize It

Treat this fund like an important bill that needs to be paid. Make it a priority, even if you can only save $10 cada semana. Every little bit gets you closer to your goal. Like my abuela used to say “con el tiempo y la paciencia se adquiere la ciencia” –which really meant patience, time, and money accommodate all things.

6. Only Use It for Real Emergencies

Make sure this fund is strictly for real emergencies, not for las compras a Ross, or dinner con la comadre. Things like car repairs, unexpected medical bills, or fixing something at home are good examples of when to dip into your $1,000 guardadito.

With these tips, you’ll be able to build your $500-$1,000 Pa’ Lo Que Sea fund in no time, giving you a small but powerful financial cushion to handle whatever comes your way, sin tanto estrés.