PERSONAL FINANCE Laura McMullen NerdWallet June 8, 2026, 12:00 a.m. ET View Comments For many people, a surprise expense isn’t just a setback — it’s an unsolvable puzzle. How can you pay the mechanic or doctor if you simply don’t have the money? That’s the reality for millions of people. Thirty-seven percent of adults couldn’t completely cover a $400 expense with cash or money in their bank account, according to the Fed’s Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2025 report, released May 13.