Good points @emerald24
Well over twenty years ago I had to have a Financial makeover. The Economy was different and more stable then. Having a long term goal of owning a home for my young children to grow up was a very formidable goal. I was a newly graduated Nurse, so with stable prospects of work and a disciplined but frugal lifestyle I did reach this goal three years ago.
Key was establishing an Emergency fund, I can't begin to list all the times I depended on this fund I built by working overtime, moonlighting and side gigs over and above savings. Rules to draw from this account are strict but comprehensive, any amounts above the target threshold can be committed to my Long termed savings. (My favorite being in Gold & silver).
Getting here required a lot of thought, good choices, sacrifices and sometimes some luck.
And don't forget to put some aside for weekly fun expenditures with the family.
!LADY