Emergency Fund Calculator

Include: rent or mortgage, utilities, groceries, transportation (fuel or transit), insurance premiums, minimum debt payments, and childcare. Exclude: dining out, entertainment, subscriptions, and other discretionary spending.

Keep it in a high-yield savings account — accessible within 1–3 business days but separate from your everyday account to reduce temptation. Avoid investing it in stocks or bonds as the value could drop just when you need it.

Build a small starter fund ($1,000–$2,000) first, then focus on high-interest debt (credit cards), then build the full 3–6 month fund, then tackle lower-interest debt and investing. Having no emergency fund means any unexpected expense goes straight onto credit cards.