Build Your Financial House on the Rock

You’re past the basics. You’ve started saving. You’ve paid off some debt. But if you’re like most young adults today, you’ve likely hit a wall right at the "fully-funded emergency fund" point. It’s not for lack of wanting financial independence—it’s because we’ve built our plan on sand instead of rock.

Let’s change that. It’s time to build your financial house on the rock, not shifting sand.

Why the Emergency Fund Step Matters More Than You Think

According to the Dave Ramsey's 7 Baby Steps—popularized through Ramsey’s books and supported by SmartVestor Pro advisors—the first steps are simple but foundational:

1. Save a $1,000 starter emergency fund

2. Pay off all debt (except the house) using the debt snowball

3. Build a fully-funded emergency fund (3–6 months of expenses)

4. Invest 15% of your income for retirement…and further steps beyond.

   
   

Here’s the truth: many young adults stall at Step 3. Without that safety net, you cannot confidently move into Step 4—investing 15% of your income for retirement—and beyond. That next step stays locked.

The Most Common Setbacks (And Why They’re Really Emotional)

Their are emotional roots behind financial “stalling.” The data tells a clear story:

📌 A 2025 study by LendingTree found that:

• Almost half of Americans admit they make purchases to try to improve their mood.

• Nearly 49% reported emotional spending to feel better, with stress and other emotions influencing buying behavior.

• Women are more likely to engage in this kind of spending than men.

  
  

📌 Substance Use

• Substance use problems:About 11.1% of U.S. adults report ever having a substance use problem in their lifetime. ScienceDirect

• Lifetime substance use categories among young people among ages 12–25:

  • Lifetime alcohol use ~79.7%

  • Cannabis ~51.5%

  • Tobacco ~55%

• Many people turn to numbing rather than navigating tough emotions like fear, overwhelm, or loneliness.

Without addressing the emotional patterns underneath, you can budget perfectly and still miss your financial goals.

Your Next Step: Make Your Foundation Unshakeable

This week, review your emergency fund status:

👉 Do you have three to six months of essential living expenses saved?

👉 Are you avoiding hard emotions with spending?

👉 Have you paused retirement investing until your safety net is firm?

If not—reset. Make your financial house on the rock. And let everything you build from here be anchored in strength, confidence, and discipline.

🔹 Lean into discomfort

🔹 Choose discipline over distraction

🔹 Build your emergency fund before anything else

🔹 Invest from strength—not stress.

Because a house built on sand can’t withstand storms. But a house built on rock stands.