5 Ways to Stay on Top of Unexpected Expenses
Life has a way of surprising us — and not always in a good way. A boiler breaks down. Your MOT fails. You suddenly remember that annual bill you meant to cancel.
You're not alone. In fact, over 1 in 4 UK adults have no emergency savings at all, and nearly half would struggle to cover an unexpected £300 bill without borrowing.
Source: MoneyHelper – Emergency Savings Report
The good news? You don’t need to be a financial expert to build resilience. Here are five practical strategies to help you stay one step ahead — even when life doesn’t give you notice.
1️⃣ Track Your Spending Weekly 📊
Budgeting might sound dull, but the results are powerful. People who regularly track their spending are more likely to stay within budget, avoid overdraft fees, and feel in control.
It doesn’t need to be fancy — a notebook, app, or spreadsheet will do. The key is consistency.
Why it works:
Budget awareness can reduce financial stress by up to 22% according to behavioural studies by the Money and Pensions Service.
Source: MaPS Financial Capability Survey
2️⃣ Build an Emergency Buffer (Even £5 a Week Helps) 🛟
Emergency funds don’t have to be huge. Even a small buffer can save you from turning to high-cost credit when a bill or crisis hits.
Setting aside just £10 a week adds up to £520 a year — enough to soften most unexpected blows.
Why it works:
Having even £100 in emergency savings significantly reduces the risk of falling into problem debt.
Source: StepChange Debt Charity – Emergency Fund Research
3️⃣ Plan for “Predictable” One-Off Costs 🧾
Many “surprise” expenses are actually predictable — we just forget about them.
Think:
Annual insurance premiums
School costs
Car servicing
Subscriptions
Practical tip:
Make a list of annual costs, divide by 12, and treat them like monthly bills. Automate savings into a separate pot if possible.
Why it works:
Smoothing out irregular costs avoids budget spikes and reduces the temptation to use credit when bills bunch up.
4️⃣ Avoid High-Cost Credit — It Can Snowball Fast 📈
When you're under pressure, it’s tempting to reach for payday loans or max out a credit card. But this often leads to a cycle of debt.
Payday loans can carry APR rates of over 1,500%
Missed payments on buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) deals can damage your credit report
Why it matters:
High-cost credit disproportionately affects low-income households and leads to long-term financial harm.
Sources:
5️⃣ Keep CashWave in Your Corner 🥊
When the unexpected happens, having a safety net matters. That’s where CashWave comes in.
✔ Borrow up to £300
✔ Repay in 3 monthly instalments of £100
✔ Pay a simple flat fee of £30/month — no interest, no hidden charges
✔ Nothing to repay unless you actually use it
✔ Repay early? The fee stays the same.
Unlike traditional credit, CashWave uses open banking to assess your real financial situation — not an outdated score. That means more fairness, more access, and more control.
Why it’s different:
Open banking gives lenders a live view of your income and expenses, making affordability checks more accurate and inclusive.
Source: Open Banking UK – How It Helps Consumers
🛟 Stay prepared. Stay in control.
Because life won’t always give you notice—but you can still be ready.
📲 Download the SteadyPay app and apply for CashWave today