The unexpected happens.
Prepare some room.

Identify what you need to keep covering.

Add up essential expenses: housing, basic food, energy, necessary transport and other commitments you cannot stop. Separate them from flexible expenses you could temporarily reduce.

Choose the coverage.

Decide how many months you want to cover. Your choice depends on income stability, dependants, foreseeable expenses and available support. No number of months is a universal rule.

Calculate an initial target.

If essential expenses are €900 per month and you choose six months of coverage, the reference amount is €5,400. With €1,500 already set aside, the shortfall is €3,900. These figures are an example, not a recommended amount.

Build and review your reserve.

Choose a contribution that fits your budget. If you use part of the reserve, review your target and replenishment plan. Consider access to the money, costs and terms of where you keep it. Ravnu does not hold the reserve.

Try your own scenario.

Use the emergency fund calculator and the savings goal calculator to explore amounts and timeframes without assumed interest.

A reserve calculated from expenses.

If you decide to contribute €150 per month, this shortfall needs 26 contributions, without interest. If that contribution does not fit your budget, change the pace or initial target. Six months is this example's choice, not a required amount.

Accessible when needed

The purpose is to cover unexpected events. When choosing where to keep the reserve, check availability, terms, costs and risks with the provider. A Ravnu vault figure is only a record: the money stays wherever you keep it.

Mistakes to avoid.

Do not count uncertain income or a credit limit as available funds. Do not confuse a holiday reserve with an emergency buffer. Recalculate the reference amount if essential expenses change.

A common question.

Take the method with you.

Try the related calculator to check the example. For a paper review, use Print this guide.

Sources and method.

Editorial content: Ravnu team. Our own examples and templates, with calculations you can reproduce using the website's tools. We do not claim review by professionals or qualifications that have not been confirmed.

• Todos Contam — building a budget: income, expenses and planning
• Todos Contam — emergency fund: saving for the unexpected

The sources support budgeting and reserve concepts. Examples are not personalised recommendations. Referencing an organisation does not imply a partnership with or endorsement of Ravnu. For tax retention of receipts, check the rules for your circumstances with the relevant authority.

About this guide.

Examples are illustrative. Adapt the figures to your situation and verify information before deciding. This content does not replace financial, tax or investment advice.