How big should your emergency fund be?

Sized against your actual job stability and dependants — not a one-size-fits-all rule of thumb.

Essential spending per month

Income earners in household

Job stability (1 = contract/commission, 5 = very secure)

People who depend on this income

Already saved in cash

—

Recommended months of cover	—
Target fund	—
Still to save	—

Why "three to six months" is the wrong answer for most people

The usual rule ignores the two things that actually drive how long you would be without income: how replaceable your job is, and how many people are relying on it. A single earner on commission supporting two children needs a very different buffer from one of two salaried earners with no dependants. This calculator adjusts for both, and sizes the fund against your essential spending — rent, food, utilities, minimum debt payments — not your total budget, because discretionary spending is the first thing to go.