Emergency Fund Calculator
Find out how much you need as a safety reserve
Publicidade
Rent, bills, food, transportation, etc.
Entertainment, non-essential purchases, etc.
Children, spouse without income, elderly parents
Amount already reserved for emergencies
What is an Emergency Fund?
An emergency fund is a financial reserve to cover unexpected expenses or periods without income. It's the foundation of any healthy financial plan.
Without this reserve, any unexpected event can turn into debt.
What is it For?
Cover expenses during unemployment
Health emergencies
Urgent repairs (car, house)
Family emergencies
Take advantage of unexpected opportunities
How Much to Save?
The general rule is 3 to 12 months of expenses, depending on your situation:
- •3-6 months: Stable income (employee), no dependents
- •6-9 months: Moderate income, with dependents
- •9-12 months: Variable income (freelancer, business owner)
- •12+ months: High instability, sole provider
Where to Keep It?
The fund needs to have:
- 1
Liquidity: Immediate access to the money
- 2
Safety: No risk of loss
- 3
Some return: At least beat inflation
Recommended Options
Recommended Options
High-yield savings account
Money market funds
Short-term CDs (with no penalty)
Treasury bills
Avoid
- •Regular savings (very low return)
- •Stocks or risky funds
- •Investments with lock-up periods
How to Build Your Fund
- 1
Set a target amount using the calculator
- 2
Start small - you don't need to save it all at once
- 3
Automate monthly transfers
- 4
Keep it separate in a dedicated account
- 5
Don't touch it without real need
What IS and ISN'T an Emergency
✓
Job loss
Illness or accident
Urgent car repair (if needed for work)
Structural home problem
✗
- •Flash sale
- •Last-minute trip
- •Phone upgrade
- •Holiday gifts
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I start investing before having the reserve?
Not recommended. The reserve is priority. Without it, any unexpected event can become debt.
Should I use the fund to pay off debt?
Depends. High-interest debts (credit cards) should be priority. Keep a minimum 1-2 month reserve while paying off.
What if I use part of the fund?
Replenish as soon as possible. Resume saving until you reach the ideal amount again.
Should the fund earn returns?
Yes, but liquidity and safety are more important than returns.
Should couples have joint or separate reserves?
Can be joint if financially united. The important thing is having the total adequate amount.
What if my income varies a lot?
Consider the average of the last 12 months as a base. And increase the reserve to 12 months.
Do I need to update the amount?
Yes, review annually or when changing jobs/having children/getting married.
Does regular savings work as a reserve?
It can work for liquidity, but returns are very low. Prefer high-yield accounts or money market funds.