How big should your safety net be — and how fast can you build it?
Financial experts recommend 3–6 months of essential expenses. That sounds huge — so don't start there. Start with a $1,000 starter fund: it covers the vast majority of real emergencies (car repair, medical bill, broken appliance).
Keep it in a separate high-yield savings account — close enough to reach in an emergency, far enough that you won't spend it on a sale.