Free tool
How big should the buffer be, and how long will it take?
Two numbers do most of the work: essential monthly spending and the number of months you want covered.
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Why essentials, not income
The fund exists to cover the bills that continue when income stops: housing, food, utilities, insurance, transport and debt minimums. Building it from take-home pay produces a target that is too large to reach and too vague to use. The calculator multiplies essentials by the chosen number of months.
The fill time is the gap divided by the monthly amount you can actually set aside. If that number is uncomfortable, either the target or the saving rate has to move; the arithmetic does not negotiate.
Progress is the useful number
A percentage of the target is easier to track than an absolute balance, because it survives changes to both income and expenses. Recalculate after a rent change or a job change, and only count money that is genuinely liquid and not invested in something that can fall.
Frequently asked questions
How many months should I aim for?
Three months is a common floor for stable salaried work; six or more is common for freelance or single-income households. The right number is the one that lets you sleep through a bad month.
Should the fund sit in a savings account?
It should be liquid and stable. A high-yield savings account or a money-market fund fits better than equities, whose value can drop exactly when you need the money.
Does the calculator count existing savings?
Yes. Enter what is already set aside and the gap shrinks; progress shows how much of the target is already covered.
What if I cannot save anything this month?
Enter a small monthly figure to see the realistic timeline. The calculated months will show why a smaller target or a higher saving rate may be needed.