Calculate your real bare-bones monthly number from actual bills, then track funded months toward it, instead of guessing at "3-6 months of expenses."
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Generic advice says "save 3-6 months of expenses," but most people don't actually know their real monthly bare-bones number, the amount they'd need if income stopped tomorrow. This tracker starts there: list rent, utilities, minimum debt payments, and groceries separately from your full comfortable budget, so you have two real targets instead of one vague one.
Each month, log what you added and the sheet totals your savings to date, calculating exactly how many months of bare-bones and full-budget coverage you've actually funded. Aim for 3-6 months of bare-bones coverage first, then work toward full-budget coverage once that's secured.
"Save 3-6 months of expenses" always felt like advice for someone who already knew their number. Most people don't, they're guessing at their full budget when bare-bones is what actually matters in an emergency. Splitting the two targets is what made this finally feel achievable.
— DaveWays
Calculate your true bare-bones monthly expenses from actual bills instead of a generic multiplier.
The sheet converts your savings total into months of bare-bones and full-budget coverage automatically.
Revisit your bare-bones and full targets every 6 months as your expenses change.
What counts as a "bare-bones" expense?
Rent, utilities, minimum debt payments, and groceries; the worksheet walks you through listing these separately from your full budget.
Where should I keep the actual emergency fund money?
This tracks your progress; a high-yield savings account is a common choice, but that decision is yours.
What if my expenses change partway through the year?
Revisit your bare-bones and full targets every 6 months and update the sheet; your funded-months total recalculates automatically.
Emergency Fund Quick-Start (Lite), yours free with this purchase (a $5 value): a simplified single-page version to calculate your bare-bones number today before committing to the full tracker.
Emergency Fund Builder is $12.99 USD, one-time payment, instant delivery, no subscription. Covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee. See our refund policy and terms.
