calculator
Emergency Fund Calculator
Works out how much you need for emergencies and how long it will take to get there.
R27 000
You need R27 000 more. At R500 a month that takes about 54 months. A first R1 000 buffer already protects you from most small emergencies.
Want help interpreting this? Talk to a person
What you will need
- Essential costs each month (housing, food, transport, utilities, school, minimum debt) (R)
- Emergency savings you already have (R)
- What you can put aside each month (R)
- Your income: salary | variable or commission | self-employed or informal | single income with dependants
How it works
months_target = 3 for salary; 6 for variable, self-employed/informal, or single income with dependants. target = essential_monthly * months_target. starter_goal = min(R5000, essential_monthly) shown first as 'Step 1'. gap = max(0, target - current_savings). months_to_goal = ceil(gap / monthly_saving) if monthly_saving > 0 else null. months_covered_now = current_savings / essential_monthly. Suggest keeping it in a separate, easy-access account (a savings pocket or notice account), not an investment that can fall in value.
What you get
- Emergency fund target
- Months you could cover now
- Months to reach your target
What it means
- Start with a small starter goal; even R1 000 can stop one surprise from becoming debt.
- You have a full emergency fund; now you can focus on other goals.
- This will take a while; the Budget Builder may find extra room.
Next step: Want help interpreting this? Book a money coach to find room in your budget.
Runs on the device. Nothing is saved unless the member chooses.