Emergency fund on a single income: how much is enough?
With one income, there's no second paycheck to fall back on if you lose your job, so aim for 6 months of essential expenses, not 3. Example: $2,800/month in essentials means a $16,800 target. Starting from $1,500 and saving $350 a month, that takes 3 years 8 months.
Make it faster
- Start with a $1,000 starter fund, then pay down high-APR debt, then finish the fund.
- Keep it in a high-yield savings account (about 4%+ APY in 2026), separate from checking.
Want the full debt payoff planner?
Spreadsheet with up to 10 debts, snowball/avalanche switch, debt-free date, charts, and printable trackers. Works in Excel and Google Sheets.
Not financial advice. These tools are for planning only. Numbers are illustrative; your lender's statements control.