# 3-6-9 rule: calculate your emergency fund savings goal 2026-08-07T17:46:46+00:00 | Business & Economy | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The 3-6-9 rule is a thumb rule for building an emergency fund, livemint.com reports. For a single person with steady income, save three months of expenses. If you have dependents but a regular job, save six months. Freelancers or those with irregular income should save nine months, or 12 if they have dependents. To calculate, list non-negotiable monthly costs such as rent, EMIs, school fees and groceries. Multiply by the required months. Start small, even Rs 500-1,000 a month, and automate deposits from bonuses or side income. Keep 30-40% in a savings account or fixed deposit for immediate access, and 60-70% in liquid or overnight mutual funds for slightly better returns. ## Coverage - livemint.com Tags: 3-6-9 rule, emergency fund, financial planning, personal finance, savings Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/3-6-9-rule-calculate-your-emergency-fund-savings-goal/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/3-6-9-rule-calculate-your-emergency-fund-savings-goal/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.