PF
Pennywise Finance Editorial
UK personal finance team. Emergency fund guidance follows widely-accepted UK personal finance principles.
Fact-checked
Reviewed August 2026

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Your numbers

£
Rent/mortgage, bills, groceries, transport, insurance, minimum debt payments.
£
£

Your target

Recommended emergency fund£7,600.00
Amount still to save£6,600.00
Months to reach target27 months
Recommended months of expenses4 months

How much emergency fund do you actually need?

SituationRecommended cover
Dual-earner household, both stable jobs3 months
Single-earner household, stable job3–6 months
Commission/bonus-dependent income6 months
Self-employed / freelance6–12 months
Very variable industries (hospitality, seasonal)9–12 months

Where to keep an emergency fund

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General guidance based on widely-accepted UK personal finance principles. Individual situations vary — consider your own risk tolerance, debt situation and dependants.