Emergency Fund Calculator
Estimate the right size for your emergency fund based on monthly expenses and how many months of cushion you want. Also computes how long it’ll take to build at your current savings rate.
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About Emergency Fund Calculator
How much is enough?
3 months = minimum, for stable jobs with multiple earners. 6 months = standard recommendation for most people. 12+ months = freelancers, single earners, anyone with cyclical or commission-based income.
Where to keep it
High-yield savings account or a money market fund. Avoid stocks (volatility), CDs (lockup), or anywhere you can’t access in 1-3 business days. Earning 4-5% APY makes the buffer essentially free.
Build it first, invest later
For most people: pay off high-interest debt (credit cards) and build 1 month of expenses, then invest while building the rest of the fund. Don’t skip emergency savings in favor of higher-return investments — the peace of mind is worth more than the missed return.