Emergency Fund: The Exact Amount You Need (Based on Your Situation)
The 3-6 months rule is outdated. We built a calculator using income stability, fixed costs, and insurance coverage to find your real number.
Marco Oliveira, CFPPersonal Finance Editor
6 min readFact-checked
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Why 3-6 Months Is Wrong
The standard advice ignores your actual risk profile. A government employee with tenure needs far less than a freelancer.
Risk-Adjusted Emergency Fund Formula
| Employment Type | Multiplier | Example (R$5k/mo) |
|---|---|---|
| Government/Stable | 3x monthly expenses | R$15,000 |
| Corporate Employee | 4-6x monthly expenses | R$20-30,000 |
| Freelancer/Self-employed | 9-12x monthly expenses | R$45-60,000 |
| Commission-based | 6-9x monthly expenses | R$30-45,000 |
Where to Keep It
Your emergency fund must be: liquid (access in 24h), safe (no market risk), and inflation-protected.
Best options ranked:
Build It in 90 Days
Automate transfers. Start with 10% of income. Increase by 2% each month until funded.
About the Author
Marco Oliveira, CFP
Personal Finance Editor
CFP, MSc Economics
Certified Financial Planner with 12 years helping individuals build wealth systematically. Published researcher on behavioral finance and savings optimization.
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