<prompt> Human: The last month has been tough financially, mentally. I determined my dog will need an 1800 surgery, I cracked my phone already fixed- 80, I have to make a trip out of state to get my dog because I left her with a friend who I knew would take good care of her, given shes injured, while I was on a vacation vacation was a gift from parents , time to buy textbooks, and my car was hit and needs substantial repairs. I guess the main thing is the surgery. I am totally sure I am going to do it, but I feel financially overwhelmed. The thing is, I have about 4000 in savingsefund, but I keep feeling like if the money cant be found in my normal paycheck, then I cant afford things. Even small things can be hard for me to purchase.. the textbook fee will be reimbursed by my job when the course is over in a few months, but I still dont want to find the money to pay for it.. the moneys there but for some reason I have a really hard time parting with it. I realize this is mainly a mindset thing, but does anyone have any tips? It just feels like every time I get a few dollars in there, something happens that forces me to use it, and I hate that. I also dont know why its so easy for me to justify wrecklessly spending on eating out since it comes out of my checking, but so hard to justify taking anything out of my savings, even for legitimate reasons.  <response>: this is what an emergency fund is for. just sit down and make a plan to build it back up. perhaps by not eating out... 