Emergency Fund Flow
Build a practical cash runway for layoffs, medical events, and surprise expenses.
Get your 3-month and 6-month safety targets with timeline.
Why this flow matters
An emergency fund is not about size - it is about months of runway. This flow targets time, not a dollar amount, because $20,000 means very different things to a $3k/month and $6k/month household.
Your diagnosis
6-month runway in 13 mo.
- NowAutomate monthly transfer the day after payday
Removes the willpower from the loop.
- Later3-month minimum: $8,400 - 6-month full safety: $16,800
Your inputs
Edit any value - the diagnosis above updates instantly.
How the math works
The exact rules and formulas this flow applies - no black box.
- 1.3-month target = essential monthly expenses x 3. 6-month target = essentials x 6.
- 2.Month-by-month simulation: balance(t) = balance(t-1) x (1 + APY/12) + monthly contribution.
- 3.Capped at 600 months. If unreachable, the contribution is effectively zero relative to target growth.
How to read your result
- 3-month target hit: minimum safety. You can survive a typical job loss in a single-income household.
- 6-month target hit: real resilience. Add 12 months for variable income (freelance, commission).
- Unreachable result: contribution is zero or expenses are growing faster than savings. Cut a fixed cost.
Common questions
Where should I keep this money?
High-yield savings or money market. Not stocks, not crypto. The job of this fund is to be there in a bad month.
Should I count credit cards as backup?
No. Credit can be frozen exactly when you need it (after a job loss, medical event). Cash is the only emergency-proof asset.
3 months or 6 months?
3 if dual-income or stable salary. 6 if single-income, sole earner, or in a layoff-prone industry.