As much as we’d like to be able to anticipate every expense that comes our way, we also know it’s just not possible. Cars can unexpectedly break down, a storm can cause a costly home repair, or we might need to travel on short notice to visit an ailing family member. Any of these things can stress your finances beyond a comfortable point.

It’s difficult to prepare for every possibility, but creating and maintaining an emergency fund will provide peace of mind when surprise expenditures pop up. Elevate Wisconsin, a free financial resource for all North Shore Bank employees, has a 10-minute webinar called “Emergency Funds—How to Prepare for the Unexpected” that offers strategies for creating and contributing to an emergency fund.

If one of your goals in 2025 is to improve your personal finances, building an emergency fund that helps you avoid the stress and consequences of unexpected expenses can be a positive step.