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What's Your Financial Readiness Score? (Quiz)
How'd You Do? (Quiz Results)
Simple Ways to Stay Ready
Don't Stress — You’ve Got This!
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Life throws curveballs from time to time — surprise car repairs, unexpected medical bills, an AC unit that goes out during the hottest week of summer.
Let’s give your current financial plan a quick “stress test” to see how ready you are for sudden surprises.
Grab a pen (or just keep track in your head). Answer each question honestly, add up your points, and check your score at the bottom.
What's Your Financial Readiness Score?
1. If a $500 expense popped up tomorrow, I would …
A. Cover it with my emergency fund. (3 points)
B. Pay it and adjust my budget for the coming month. (2 points)
C. Put it on a credit card and figure it out later. (1 point)
D. Definitely have to phone a friend. (0 points)
2. I currently have an emergency fund with …
A. 3-6 months of expenses. (3)
B. $1,000 set aside. (2)
C. A few hundred dollars. (1)
D. More good intentions than money. (0)
3. My budget is …
A. Reviewed monthly and up to date. (3)
B. Mostly accurate, but sometimes I wing it. (2)
C. Made up of best guesses and ballpark figures. (1)
D. Budget? Like the car rental company? (0)
4. When it comes to insurance (home, renters, auto, health), I …
A. Know exactly what’s covered and how much my deductibles are. (3)
B. Have coverage, but I don’t really know the details. (2)
C. Hope the coverage I chose years ago is still fine. (1)
D. Pick the cheapest plans and keep my fingers crossed. (0)
5. If I suddenly lost income, I could cover my bills for …
A. Several months without stress. (3)
B. A little while, but I’d need to make changes fast. (2)
C. A couple of weeks, at most. (1)
D. About an hour and a half. (0)
6. My debt situation looks like …
A. Everything’s under control — steady payments, low balances. (3)
B. It’s manageable, but sometimes things get tight. (2)
C. I’m always playing catch-up. (1)
D. My bills have bills. (0)
7. A major life change (new job, new baby, moving to a new house) would mean …
A. Updating my financial plan right away. (3)
B. Adjusting my plan … eventually. (2)
C. Waiting until the dust settles to even think about money. (1)
D. Focusing on everything BUT my finances. (0)
How'd You Do?
Add up your points. Let’s see how solid your financial plan is.
18–21 points: Rock-Solid & Ready To Win
You’re built for whatever challenges come your way. Storms, surprises, sudden expenses — you’ll stand like a champion through it all. Your preparation gives you confidence, flexibility, and peace of mind. Review your plan at least once a year to stay strong and current.
13–17 points: Strong Foundation, Growing Stronger
You’re in a good place with healthy habits and a dependable base to build on. With a few focused upgrades — like boosting your emergency savings or tightening your budget — your financial readiness will give you the strength you’re looking for.
7–12 points: Work in Progress (With Plenty of Upside)
You’re handling things as they come, but a little structure could make emergencies feel a whole lot less stressful. Focus on one win at a time: start a small emergency fund, review your insurance, or set up spending categories you can actually stick to.
0–6 points: The Financial Free Spirit
You know how to live in the moment … but a financial safety net would make things even more enjoyable. Think of a financial plan as a fresh start, not a cage. A few intentional steps can make a huge difference — and set you up to spread your wings and soar!
Simple Ways to Stay Ready
Whether your score topped the chart or has room for improvement, these steps help you build confidence and control for whatever comes next.
1. Build (or grow) your emergency fund
Start small if you need to — even small amounts like $10 or $25 a week add up. Aim for three to six months of expenses over time.
2. Review your insurance coverage
Double-check your deductibles, coverage limits, and renewal dates. Take time to make sure your insurance policies still fit your life, and adjust as needed.
3. Track your spending
You don’t need a complicated system. A simple monthly review can help you see where you’re overspending and free up cash for savings.
4. Reduce high-interest debt
High-interest balances make emergencies more stressful. Consider a Spero balance transfer card to save on interest and help you pay off your balance faster.
5. Making saving automatic
Turn savings into a habit. Automating a small weekly transfer into your emergency fund makes it painless and consistent.
Don't Stress — You’ve Got This
Nobody likes to think about financial emergencies, but preparing for them lets you overcome them like a champion. No matter what your score is, small changes today can make your future brighter — and Spero is always here to help you build a financial game plan that works for you.
This material is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
