Quick Checklist — Budgeting & Saving

Emergency Fund Checklist

Fill in your numbers, calculate your target, and set your milestones — all in one page.

Guides › Full Worksheet › Quick Checklist

Step 1 — Essential Expenses Only (No Luxuries)

Monthly Expense Snapshot

Essential Expense	My Amount
Rent or mortgage	$
Electricity / gas / water	$
Internet / phone	$
Groceries (essential only)	$
Car payment + insurance + gas	$
Health insurance / prescriptions	$
Debt minimums (loans, cards)	$
Renter's / homeowner's insurance	$
Other essential	$
Total monthly essentials	$

Step 2

My Emergency Fund Target

Monthly essentials (from above) $

3-month target (stable job, no dependents) $

4-month target (dual income or modest concern) $

6-month target (self-employed / variable income) $

My target (pick 3, 4, or 6 months) $

Step 3 — Reference

Savings Timeline

Save/month	To $1,000	To 3-mo (~$2,400)	To 6-mo (~$4,800)
$100	10 mo	24 mo	48 mo
$150	7 mo	16 mo	32 mo
$200	5 mo	12 mo	24 mo
$300	4 mo	8 mo	16 mo
$500	2 mo	5 mo	10 mo

Step 4 — Check Off Each Milestone

Milestones

Milestone 1: $1,000 Starter

Stops most emergencies from becoming debt

$1,000

Milestone 2: One Month

Handles short-term disruptions

Milestone 3: Three Months

Minimum full emergency fund

Milestone 4: Full Target

Done — redirect savings to next goal

Step 5

Automation Setup

Separate savings account opened just for emergency fundNot mixed with checking or regular savings
Auto-transfer set up on paycheck dayTransfer before you can spend it — not at end of month
Account named "Emergency Fund Only"
Transfer amount: $ / month
Calendar reminder set to increase amount in 6 months
Fund is NOT in stocks, mutual funds, or investment accountsEmergency funds need to be liquid and safe, not invested

My Plan

Savings Plan Summary

Current balance $

Full target $

Remaining gap $

Monthly savings committed $/mo

Target date to finish

TVACU Financial Wellness • tvacu.com • Educational use only, not financial advice.