Emergency Fund by Income Type
Income stability drives fund size more than income level. Two steady paychecks tolerate a smaller cushion; one paycheck or variable income needs a larger one.
- Dual-income, stable jobs: 3–6 months of essentials.
- Single-income household: 6–9 months, since one job loss removes all income.
- Self-employed / freelancer: 9–12 months, because gaps between contracts can be long.
Use the calculator and switch the risk profile to compare targets side by side.