Emergency Fund Calculator
An emergency fund covers life's surprises — job loss, car repairs, medical bills — without going into debt. Most experts recommend 3–6 months of essential expenses.
How to size yours
- Add up essential monthly expenses: housing, utilities, food, transportation, insurance, minimum debt payments.
- Multiply by 3 (starter) or 6 (full).
- Save into a separate high-yield savings account.
Pair this with the zero-based budget to fund it consistently.
Frequently asked questions
How big should an emergency fund be?
A common starter goal is $1,000. Then aim for 3–6 months of essential expenses once high-interest debt is under control.
Where should I keep it?
Somewhere safe and accessible — typically a high-yield savings account separate from your checking account.
Should I save or pay debt first?
Many people start with a small emergency fund (~$1,000), aggressively pay down high-interest debt, then grow the fund to 3–6 months.
Plan your emergency fund
Add a savings goal in Dollarboard and track your progress.
Open Dollarboard