Family Emergency Fund Targets

Executive summary

Family emergency funds should account for dependent count, school costs, healthcare deductibles, and one full year of childcare disruption.

• Baseline: 6 months household expenses
• Add 1 month per dependent under 5
• Add health max-OOP × dependents

Key takeaways

• Baseline: 6 months household expenses
• Add 1 month per dependent under 5
• Add health max-OOP × dependents
• Refill within 90 days of any draw

Key strategies

1. Strategy 1

   Baseline: 6 months household expenses

2. Strategy 2

   Add 1 month per dependent under 5

3. Strategy 3

   Add health max-OOP × dependents

4. Strategy 4

   Refill within 90 days of any draw

Pro-tips checklist

• Hold in tiered liquidity (checking → HYSA → T-bills)
• Don't auto-invest the family reserve

FAQ