The word “savings” doesn’t usually make people light up with excitement. It sounds responsible (and it is), but let’s admit it—it can also sound a little... dull. Especially when all the focus is on what might go wrong. Emergency funds, while important, are rooted in fear-based planning: “What if I lose my job?” “What if my car breaks down?” “What if life flips me upside down?”
But here’s a shift worth exploring: What if we saved not just to avoid disaster—but to build delight?
There’s another side of saving that often gets overlooked: saving for joy. Yes, joy. Fun. Freedom. Self-expression. Creativity. Growth. The kind of things that don’t make your financial advisor’s spreadsheet but absolutely make your life richer.
And no, this isn’t about reckless spending disguised as “self-care.” It’s about setting aside money for the moments, memories, and meaning that actually make life worth living.
So let’s talk about it: why your emergency fund shouldn’t be your only fund—and how saving for joy can be just as essential to your financial well-being.
The Joy Fund: More than Just a Piggy Bank
What exactly is a "joy fund"? In essence, it's a savings account earmarked not for emergencies, but for happiness—think vacations, that guitar you've been eyeing, or even classes that fuel a passion. This isn’t indulgence; it’s investing in experiences that enrich your life. The joy fund is your ally in ensuring you don’t just survive, but thrive. Many of us are so focused on savings that alleviate anxiety—like retirement accounts, healthcare savings, and safety nets—that we forget to save for what genuinely uplifts us.
According to a study by Princeton University, spending on experiences rather than material goods leads to greater satisfaction and happiness. So, why not allocate a portion of your income to the moments that build memories?
Why Happiness Is a Worthy Investment
Contrary to popular belief, a joy fund is not frivolous; it’s a testament to sound financial planning. Research from Harvard Business School suggests that experiential purchases leave longer-lasting imprints of happiness than material ones. Think back to your fondest memories—they likely involve experiences rather than objects.
Setting aside money specifically for joy is an investment in your mental health. In our bustling lives, moments of joy are essential—fueling creativity, bolstering relationships, and even increasing productivity at work. When you save for joy, you’re not just planning for a rainy day; you’re crafting sunny ones.
So, What Is a Joy Fund? (And What It Isn’t)
A Joy Fund is a personal savings stash intentionally created for things that bring you fulfillment, growth, fun, or freedom. It’s not just for big-ticket items like vacations or concerts—it could be for smaller but deeply personal things, like:
- Taking a sabbatical to work on your art
- Paying for a writing workshop or yoga teacher training
- Building a home music studio
- Traveling solo to recharge and reconnect
- Helping a friend with their small business launch
- Taking unpaid time to volunteer, rest, or reset
- Investing in therapy, coaching, or personal development
- Finally upgrading your 10-year-old laptop—not because it broke, but because you’re worth the smoother workflow
What it’s not: an excuse to bypass bills or overspend impulsively in the name of “treating yourself.” It’s not reckless—it’s radical self-respect, backed by strategy.
Okay, But Isn’t That What a “Fun Fund” Is?
Not quite.
Fun Funds are often short-term. Think: weekend trips, new outfits, splurging on a fancy dinner. Joy Funds go deeper. They’re rooted in long-term values, personal dreams, or goals that require more patience, intention, or emotional investment.
Joy doesn’t always equal immediate gratification. Sometimes, joy looks like saving for a year so you can take a month off to write your novel. Or finally saying yes to a passion project that never fit into your “practical” timeline.
The difference? Fun spending delights you now. Joy spending shapes your future.
Creating a Joy Fund: How to Start (Without Overhauling Everything)
No need to throw your entire budget into chaos. This isn’t about abandoning financial fundamentals—it’s about layering in purposeful priorities.
Here’s how you can start, without making your wallet cry:
1. Give It a Name
There’s power in naming things. It helps make the abstract feel real. Instead of a generic “Joy Fund,” you might call it:
- “Europe 2026”
- “Freedom Sabbatical”
- “Studio Dreams”
- “Self-Investment Fund”
This helps you stay emotionally connected to why you're saving. Your savings app or spreadsheet should remind you of you—not just your bills.
2. Decide on the Feel, Not Just the Goal
Think beyond the number. Ask yourself:
- How do I want to feel when I use this money?
- What kind of memory or moment will this fund help me create?
- What would this make possible for my life?
Let that emotional clarity guide how and why you contribute. It could make all the difference when temptation strikes or progress feels slow.
3. Pick a Method That Works for You
You don’t need a fancy financial setup. Just pick a system you’ll stick to. Options include:
- Creating a sub-account in your bank for each fund
- Using cash envelopes or digital sinking funds
- Automating a tiny transfer weekly—$5 counts
- Rounding up purchases and funneling the spare change
The goal? Make it as easy and low-friction as possible.
Other Kinds of Purpose-Driven Funds to Consider
Not every fund needs to be “fun.” Some are just deeply you. Here are a few outside-the-box savings goals that are worth thinking about:
- Exploration Fund – For trying new things without pressure. Maybe that pottery class, dance lessons, or building your own newsletter.
- Pause Fund – For when you need a break that isn't about burnout, but about breathing room.
- Legacy Fund – Not just estate stuff—this can mean gifting someone a trip, helping someone through school, or passing on an experience that shaped you.
- Mismatch Fund – For when you want to break your own routine and do something that doesn’t “make sense” financially, but does emotionally.
Joy isn’t always logical. Sometimes, it’s just deeply personal.
What If I Don’t Have “Extra” Money to Save Right Now?
That’s real—and that’s okay.
You don’t need to be in a financial sweet spot to begin building toward joy. In fact, starting when things are tight can build serious confidence. It says: Even when life is hard, I’m still allowed to hope.
Some ways to start small but strong:
- Reallocate windfalls like tax refunds or bonuses—don’t send all of it to bills
- Save your raises—even just part of the increase
- Reduce guilt-spending—redirect that $25 impulse buy to your Joy Fund instead
- Barter joy—can you trade skills, time, or services in exchange for experiences that fuel you?
It’s not about the amount. It’s about anchoring your money to meaning.
Avoiding the “Joy Guilt” Trap
There’s a subtle shame that can creep in when you spend on yourself—especially if you’re used to putting everyone else first. You might ask, “Do I really deserve this?”
Short answer: yes.
Longer answer: If you’re already working hard to meet your responsibilities, budgeting intentionally, and not sabotaging your financial future—then joy is not indulgent. It’s intelligent. You’re not being selfish. You’re being a whole human.
A financial life that’s all structure and no soul is a blueprint for burnout.
The Wink List
- Saving isn’t just about protection—it’s about possibility. A Joy Fund can be a blueprint for your future self.
- Small steps are still direction. You don’t need big bucks to begin; you just need intention.
- Fun and freedom are not financial opposites. You can be financially wise and still plan for a good time.
- Joyful saving is sticky. When you connect your money to what matters emotionally, you’re more likely to stick with it.
- You don’t need permission to want more from your money. You’re allowed to save for beauty, wonder, healing, fun, peace—or all of the above.
Make Room for More Than Just “What If”
Here’s the truth most financial advice skips: money is about trade-offs, but it’s also about truth. The truth of what you want. Who you are. What you value when nobody’s watching.
You’ve probably already thought about your emergency fund. Maybe you’ve even built it. That’s solid. That’s smart.
But don’t stop there.
You’re not just here to prevent worst-case scenarios. You’re here to build best-case ones, too. So make room in your budget—not just for life’s storms, but for its sunshine.
You’re allowed to plan for joy. And honestly? You probably should.
