Ever felt that pit in your stomach when your car needs a repair, your child’s birthday sneaks up, or the holidays arrive—and your bank account isn’t ready?

That’s the emotional tax of living in survival mode.

In this episode of the Wealth Para Todos Podcast, I walk you through one of my all-time favorite money tools that helped me go from financial anxiety to peaceful, joy-filled spending: sinking funds. Whether you’re saving $10 a month or $700, sinking funds are how you prepare for the predictable and spend without guilt.

💡 What Are Sinking Funds?

A sinking fund is money you intentionally set aside, poco a poco, for expenses you know are coming. Think:

• Car repairs
• Holiday gifts
• Family vacations
• Kids’ birthdays
• Dental work
• Back-to-school shopping
• Annual subscriptions or insurance premiums

They’re different from emergency funds because they’re for predictable, non-monthly expenses—expenses that bring joy, not panic.

“Sinking funds are how we plan for celebration, not just survival.”

💖 Why Sinking Funds Are Dinero Self-Care

Sinking funds are a form of dinero self-care. They create:

• Peace: No more scrambling when life happens.
• Preparation: You’re not just reacting—you’re anticipating.
• Permission: To spend joyfully without guilt.

When I think back to 2024—traveling to Las Vegas, Costa Rica, Napa Valley, Scotland, and more—those adventures were made possible by planning ahead with sinking funds.

“I had a fund for solo travel, one for trips with Husbae, and one for family vacations. All of it planned for, all of it joyful.”

📈 How to Start Your Sinking Funds

If you’re just getting started, I recommend you begin with three or fewer sinking funds. Here’s how to set them up:

Choose Your Top 3 Categories

Pick the expenses that cause you the most stress or that you know are coming soon.

Set a Monthly Goal

Divide the total amount you’ll need by the number of months until the expense.

Example: $600 ÷ 6 months = $100/month.

Choose Where the Money Lives

• High-yield savings account (I love Ally’s bucket feature)
• CD, Series I Bonds
• Taxable brokerage account (for longer-term goals)

Track Your Progress

Use a spreadsheet (like the WPT Dashboard!) or a savings app with visual tools and goal tracking.

Be Flexible

Your priorities may shift. That’s okay! You can reallocate funds based on what your life and wellness need most right now.

“This is your financial system. You get to change it as often as you want.”

🧠 Common Mindset Blocks Around Sinking Funds

“Am I selfish for saving for joy when others are struggling?”

No. Your joy and rest matter. Community care starts with showing up from a place of abundance, not depletion.

“Saving feels slow and discouraging.”

Even $10/month is a signal to your nervous system that you’re safe and moving forward con tiempo.

“My partner thinks all savings should be for emergencies.”

Let them know: “This is how I prevent emergencies. I’m planning for joy, responsibility, and ease.”

“I feel guilty spending from my sinking funds.”

If you saved for it, spend it. That’s not dipping into savings—that’s being prepared.

🪄 Make It a Ritual

Whether you automate or transfer funds manually, make it a ritual. Light a candle, play music, and treat your monthly money date with cariño. This isn’t busy work—it’s you protecting your peace.

And yes, you’re allowed to change your mind about what you’re saving for. You can cancel a trip and redirect the money to a new mattress, a course, or something else that serves your current needs.

🎁 A Gentle Reminder…

You’re allowed to save for joy while helping your family. You’re allowed to build wealth that includes pleasure, not just sacrifice. And you’re allowed to take it slow.

“Sinking funds are how we build financial security without sacrificing our wellness.”

🎉 Join Me Live:

Want help building your sinking funds? Come to my free webinar on May 13th at 11:00 AM PT. We’ll dive deeper into the 10 stages of financial security and how sinking funds fit into your money system. One live attendee will win a 12-month membership to Wealth Para Todos Academy!

👉 Click here to register.

📌 Final Thought

This journey isn’t about perfection. It’s about preparation, peace, and progress. Sinking funds are your permission slip to spend joyfully and live well. Start small, stay consistent, and let money become a tool—not a threat.