First $1,000

Before you aggressively pay off debt, before you invest a dime, you need a starter emergency fund of $1,000. This isn't a savings goal — it's a financial fire extinguisher. Without it, every car repair or medical bill goes straight onto a credit card, and you're back in the debt spiral.

One thousand dollars covers most common emergencies: a blown tire, urgent dental work, an unexpected flight home. It won't cover a job loss or major medical event — that comes later. Right now, $1,000 is your buffer between "manageable setback" and "financial crisis."