An emergency fund is an essential financial tool that a surprising number of people don’t have.  Because you never know what life will throw at you – job loss, health crisis, car repairs – you need to learn how to expect the unexpected. The best way to do that is to have a healthy emergency fund in the bank that you can tap into whenever you need it.

But funding an emergency stash isn’t as easy as it sounds for most people. Here are some tips to nickel and dime yourself to a sizeable wad of cash.

Save Your Change

Any time you buy something by using actual cash and not a debit card, you should stick that change in a good old-fashioned jar as soon as you get home. Wait until the jar is full or until you’re feeling less than optimistic about how much money you’ve managed to save. When you reach that point, take the jar into the bank and have them add it to your savings account.

You’ll be surprised how much that change will pad your savings account and you’ll never miss it at home.

Trim Your Food Expenses

If there is one place in most people’s budget that has some wiggle room, it’s food. Most of us waste at least some hard-earned cash on eating out, grabbing convenience food on the go, or not shopping the sales at the grocery store.

Even if you can manage to save a mere $10 off of your weekly food bill, by the end of the year you’ll have more than $500. And if you combine this tip with the others, you’ll have even more than that.

Set Aside Those Windfalls

Whether you get a small tax return or you receive some birthday or Christmas money from a relative, most of us come into a little bit of money occasionally throughout the year. When that happens to you, try tossing it in your savings account instead of spending it as soon as you get it.

Part With Some Possessions

Jumpstarting your emergency fund will make you feel better. A good way to do that is by selling something you no longer need or really even want.

Whether you sell old clothes, jewelry, or tools, there’s a market for almost anything if you look hard enough. You might not get a ton of money for what you’re selling, but if you’re not using it anyway, why not part with it?

Remember Why It’s Called an Emergency Fund

Once you start seeing real progress with your emergency fund, the true work begins. It can be hard to keep your hands off of it. Whenever you feel tempted to raid it, ask yourself whether what you’re experiencing is a true emergency. You’re smart enough to know the difference.

An unplanned surgery is an emergency, but a weekend in Vegas isn’t. Don’t undo all your hard work and security by making one bad decision.