Emergency Funds

[~bs]

The configuration of one's EF will depend on their situation...number of people working in the household, security of job, investable assets, etc.

We keep around $10K in cash. If I know we'll have a large purchase coming up, I'll increase that amount instead of investing our budget surplus. If, for some reason, we needed more than our cash balance immediately, we have short-term investments we could access (short term munis, CDs, I Bonds).

Exactly, the amount and configuration really depends on ones personal situation.

[dawnwes]

Several accounts that we could access at any time. ROTH IRA, savings account, Money Market account, etc....

We have enough to last a year without an income if we should need it.

[Fizgig]

I probably keep too much in cash, but it helps me sleep better at night and I don't mind missing some returns. I'm single and in a niche occupation, so I like knowing that I can take care of myself. A 2-3 year EF is overkill, but it might turn into a down payment for a house in future years. I've been moving around for the last few years and aren't planning to buy for a while, so I'm happy to just pile up cash in the meantime.

EF: $50k at an online bank
Misc cash: $25k - slush in checking, savings for my next car, "fun" saving's account
Roth: $30k, no intentions of touching it unless things get dire somehow

[Eagle]

We try to keep 25-30k in the bank between savings accounts and checking.

[Eagle]

I should also add, that I would never consider my ROTH IRA a part of my emergency fund. I've always believe one should NEVER touch retirement funds until retirement. EVER. I'd rather borrow money than touch that money. I think since I have this philosophy, I'm more likely to save and keep an actual cash emergency fund for the emergencies and cash needs for pre retirement needs.

I agree. We don't consider our 401k, Roth IRA, or even mutual funds as part of our emergency fund.

EF = Cash IMO.