The 6-Month Rule is a Lie

Every personal finance article says "keep 6 months of expenses as emergency fund." It's a starting point, not the answer.

What They Don't Tell You

• Job loss in tech: Average job search in 2024 takes 4-8 months. 6 months barely covers it.
• Medical emergencies: A single hospitalization can cost ₹5-15 Lakh even with insurance (co-pay, non-covered items)
• If you have dependents: Your emergency fund needs to cover their expenses too

The Real Formula

Emergency Fund = (Monthly Expenses × Job Search Buffer) + (Insurance Deductible) + (One Major Repair)

For most salaried professionals, this works out to 9-12 months of expenses, not 6.

This is a draft article. Personalized emergency fund calculator coming soon.