Basics

Emergency Fund

An emergency fund is cash set aside for unexpected expenses like job loss, medical bills, or car repairs. Experts recommend 3–6 months of essential expenses in a high-yield savings account. It prevents selling investments during a downturn.

Example

If you spend $3,000/month on essentials, aim for $9,000–$18,000 in an emergency fund.

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Emergency Fund — Definition & Example | Investors Lab | Investors Lab