An emergency fund cushions you against surprise financial setbacks. Use our emergency fund calculator below to help you pinpoint your savings goal.
How much emergency fund should I have?
Sudden car repairs, medical emergencies or job loss can all lead to unexpected debt if you're not prepared. It's difficult to predict how much these or other emergencies could cost — but three to six months' worth of expenses is a good goal.
If that seems too steep, start with a number that seems more reasonable. For example, having access to $500 in a savings account could help pay for a surprise car repair or medical bill without debt, so that could be a goal. If you put $10 a week into savings and don’t have to dip into the funds, it’ll add up to more than $500 after a year.
Keep in mind that it’s ok if you have to use the funds for emergencies before you reach your first goal. An emergency fund is meant to be tapped and replenished. After you reach your first goal, you can set another one to be prepared for more unexpected expenses later.
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Where to stash your emergency fund
A savings account is the best place to keep your emergency fund — it provides easy access to cash if you need it. And a high-yield savings account will help you grow your balance by paying a higher-than-average interest rate.
FAQs
A $20,000 emergency fund might cover close to three months of bills, but you might come up a little short. On the other hand, let's imagine your personal spending on essentials amounts to half of that amount each month, or $3,500. In that case, you're in excellent shape with a $20,000 emergency fund.
What is a good amount of money to have in an emergency fund? ›
While the size of your emergency fund will vary depending on your lifestyle, monthly costs, income, and dependents, the rule of thumb is to put away at least three to six months' worth of expenses.
Is $10,000 too much for an emergency fund? ›
Those include things like rent or mortgage payments, utilities, healthcare expenses, and food. If your monthly essentials come to $2,500 a month, and you're comfortable with a four-month emergency fund, then you should be set with a $10,000 savings account balance.
Is $5,000 enough for emergency fund? ›
Saving $5,000 in an emergency fund can be enough for some people, but it is unlikely sufficient for a family. The amount you need in your emergency fund depends on your unique financial situation.
Is 100k too much in savings? ›
There's no one-size-fits-all number in your bank or investment account that means you've achieved this stability, but $100,000 is a good amount to aim for. For most people, it's not anywhere near enough to retire on, but accumulating that much cash is usually a sign that something's going right with your finances.
Is 20k a lot of money in savings? ›
Is $20,000 a Good Amount of Savings? Having $20,000 in a savings account is a good starting point if you want to create a sizable emergency fund. When the occasional rainy day comes along, you'll be financially prepared for it. Of course, $20,000 may only go so far if you find yourself in an extreme situation.
Is $100 K too much for an emergency fund? ›
It's important to have cash reserves available, but $100,000 may be overdoing it. It's important to have money available in your savings account to cover unforeseen expenses. Plus, you never know when you might lose your job or see your hours (and income) get cut, so having cash reserves at the ready is important.
Is a 1 year emergency fund too much? ›
More often than not, financial experts will advise you to save between three to six months of living expenses. But it's not uncommon to hear even larger numbers, like six to 12 months, or, for those nearing retirement, one to two years' worth of emergency savings.
What is the 50/20/30 rule? ›
The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.
What is too big for an emergency fund? ›
Your emergency fund could be too big if it exceeds three to six months' worth of expenses. That said, everyone has a different financial picture. Some people keep up to a year's worth of savings in an emergency fund, while others might find that sticking to closer to three months frees them up to pursue other goals.
Most of us have seen the guideline: You should have three to six months of living expenses saved up in an emergency fund. For the average American household, that's $15,000 to $30,0001 stashed in an easily accessible account.
How much should a 20 year old have in emergency fund? ›
Aim to have three to six months' worth of expenses set aside. To figure out how much you should have saved for emergencies, simply multiply the amount of money you spend each month on expenses by either three or six months to get your target goal amount.
Is having $15,000 in savings good? ›
Generally, having at least three to six months of living expenses can offer a safety net if you experience job loss or a medical emergency. For example, if you have monthly expenses of $5,000, aim to save $15,000 to $30,000 in your emergency fund.
