Free tool

Emergency Fund Sizer

The buffer that turns a crisis into an inconvenience. Size yours to your real essentials — not someone else's rule of thumb.

Essential monthly costs

Rent / mortgage

Bills, groceries & essentials

Transport

Debt minimum payments

Other must-pays

Months of cover

Saved so far

You can add per month

Your target fund

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Essentials / month

—

Still to save

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Fully funded in

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First £1,000 still ahead of you? Start there — it does most of the emotional heavy lifting. The free Savings Goal Tracker was made for exactly this.

How to size it honestly

Count only the essentials — what life costs in survival mode, not your normal spending. If income stopped tomorrow you'd pause the extras anyway, so a fund sized on essentials goes further than it looks.

Three months suits steady, dual-income households; six or more earns its keep when income is lumpy, singular, or self-employed. Keep the money in an easy-access savings account earning real interest — this is the one pot where boring is the entire point. It's not an investment; it's insurance you pay yourself.

This calculator is a general educational tool. It uses simplified assumptions, isn't personalised financial advice, and shouldn't be the only basis for a money decision — see our Disclaimer. For decisions that matter, consider speaking to a suitably qualified, regulated adviser.

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