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On December 23, 2014, my world was abruptly shaken. I received the heartbreaking news that my grandfather had passed away unexpectedly. This news came at a time when my husband had just graduated from college, accepting his first professional position in Texasover 1,000 miles away from my family home. Given our recent cross-country move and the financial strains of a fresh graduate's lifestyle, our budget for last-minute flights was essentially nonexistent, especially during the Christmas holiday season.

Faced with the urgency of needing to travel to Utah for the funeral, my family and I engaged in a thorough brainstorming session. We wanted to determine the most cost-effective method of transport to ensure I could be there for my beloved grandpa's final farewell. Ultimately, it was the extraordinary generosity of a family friend that made our journey possible. He lent us his large four-wheel-drive vehicle and provided a gas card, allowing us to traverse the snowy mountains and reach Utah in time. This act of kindness remains etched in my memory and has profoundly influenced my approach to financial management.

Since that moment, I have adopted a more strategic approach to managing my finances, particularly when it comes to setting aside emergency funds. While I maintain a traditional emergency fund in a bank account for unexpected expenses such as household repairs or medical bills, I have also established a substantial reserve of Southwest Airlines points specifically for emergency travel. Unlike a cash emergency account which can be drained by various household needsthese airline points serve a distinct purpose. They remain untouched unless a family crisis arises.

In fact, I view my Southwest points as a type of sinking fund. While I occasionally redeem them for leisure trips or family vacations, I prioritize keeping a balance between 50,000 and 100,000 points. This balance is crucial for emergencies. One of the key advantages of Southwest points is their flexibility. They do not expire, leading to a stress-free accumulation process similar to that of a bank account. I can earn and store my points until I am ready to use them, alleviating the pressure to spend them quickly.

Another significant benefit is that when I book a flight using Southwest points, I can cancel the flight up to 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time without losing my points. This feature proves invaluable during unpredictable life events, such as a medical emergency or family crisis when plans may shift at a moment's notice. In contrast, cash-purchased flights typically incur change fees or only offer flight credits instead of refunds. With points, I have the peace of mind that my travel plans can adjust as needed.

Traveling unexpectedly due to a death or medical emergency can be financially burdensome. Costs like hotels, rental cars, and meals can quickly accumulate, adding to the emotional stress of the situation. With my Southwest points at my disposal, I can significantly reduce my expenses. This financial cushion allows me to focus on supporting my family member or friend, rather than worrying about the costs of travel.

There have been instances when my cash emergency fund was quickly depleted due to unexpected expenses. For example, I once faced a staggering $2,400 bill for car repairs in just 24 hours. If another emergency had arisen requiring urgent travel, my lack of points would have left me feeling anxious about affording the necessary arrangements.

Additionally, the beauty of using Southwest points is that they can be redeemed 365 days a year, with no blackout dates. This flexibility proved crucial last Christmas when my sister received tragic news. Her mother-in-law passed away unexpectedly in the early hours of the morning. Although her husband managed to secure a standby ticket from a friend working in the airline industry, purchasing a separate ticket for her to fly from Utah to New York would have posed a significant expense. Fortunately, my points balance was over 100,000, allowing me to buy her a ticket quickly. She was able to depart the very next day to support her husband and his family with minimal financial impact.

Moreover, I have actively utilized my Southwest credit card since 2014, the year of my grandfather's passing. I make consistent use of it to earn points on every dollar I spend. Southwest Airlines also offers a shopping portal, enabling me to earn additional points through online purchases, functioning similarly to rebate sites like Rakuten or TopCashBack. Instead of receiving cash back, I accumulate more points, which significantly enhances my ability to secure free flights simply through my regular purchasing behaviors.

As long as I diligently pay off my credit card each month, I am continuously earning points toward future travel, reinforcing the importance of financial planning and preparedness in times of need.