<prompt> Human: Like every good PF reader, I had a nice 6 month padding in case something went wrong. You know, like when the roof leaks, the water heater leaks, the dishwasher leaks, you get in a car crash, or you get laid off.Well, guess what happens when all of the above occur? I discovered that 6 months of savings was a pipe dream. As it turns out, on average it can take 18 months to find a new job. Yeah, sure, that wont happen to me, Im in demand! is what I was thinking. I work in IT, and can fit many different roles, and have almost 20 years of experience. It turns out there are lots of other candidates out there as well. It all started with a car crash, not at fault fortunately, but 13k in medical bills yes, we had insurance. Then you have to get a new car, and now suddenly we have a car payment. Ongoing medical co-pays of 100 here and 50 there add up. Having to hire a babysitter for our infant and toddler.Then the roof started leaking in the house we just bought. 2.5k to fix it. Inspectors suck.Dishwasher flooded the new kitchen floor. 4k to fix that, remediate mold, etc., and then 700 for a new one.Two months later, I got laid off. I filed for unemployment, food stamps, and medicare, which have been a godsend, but all my savings are gone. If not for state benefits, Id be completely and utterly screwed. Fortunately I got smart and pre-paid my electric bill, so I am good through next February. But if I cant pay my phone and internet bill, its going to be hard to apply for jobs.Ive paid for professional resume update services, but still no bites. I might have a job offer next week, but who knows.Then the water heater started leaking. Well, shit, I am out of money. I just hope it doesnt flood the basement. I have a little sump pump setup to handle the overflow, but thats not ideal. Now the power steering line on the minivan is leaking, emptying itself in an hour or two. Fortunately a good friend bought me a new line, and I have tools to install it, but it feels so lame to have to do that - Im a very self-sufficient person.Now my credit is toast. I have not been able to pay bills for 3 months now, and everything is going 30, 60, and 90 days past due. Im depressed, Im stressed, we might lose the house which we bought specifically to be in a good school district for our kids - and they are thriving. For the first time our neighbors have kids their ages, they play every day. Its crushing to think wed have to move away. And that is why 6 months of savings isnt enough. 18 months should be your goal. Dont end up like me.  <response>: Theres really no one-size-fits-all answer for emergency fund sizing. It does not take everyone an average of 18 months to find a job. It depends on your field, skills, level, and what job youre willing to accept. Also different people have different risks and needs.A single person who rents an apartment and can move back home with their parents doesnt need an 18-month emergency fund. Perhaps someone whos the sole-earner with a couple of kids at a high career level should.To put off investing in tax-deferred account to build a 12 month emergency fund doesnt make sense for most people. A 6-month emergency fund plus a decade of Roth IRA contributions will be able to cover 18 months of need if a situation gets desperate.If the situation is that you have a 6-month emergency fund and then didnt save anything in any form beyond that, that is indeed a precarious situation. Someone who is saving 15-20 every month but putting it into a long-term portfolio instead of adding more to their emergency fund will have plenty of options to access funds if shtf. 