<prompt> Human: I have a small emergency fund that would cover 4-6 months of expenses. Ive also recently paid off my debts so its time to s a v e.The problem is I know that maxing out tax-deferred accounts is a great idea that will make me loads of money in the long run I plan to go the ol FIRE route. My problem is that, currently, maxing out IRA401k leaves me with about 200 a paycheck to throw into a taxable account.Reading The Simple Path to Wealth the author talks about having F-U money- having enough money saved that if an event happens recession, job less, etc, it isnt a problem. The author talks about losing his job for 1-2 years and being fine because, well, he had a bunch of money.This seems very attainable to me- if I wasnt contributing to tax-deferred accounts. Considering the penalties on those accounts, it isnt exactly the most liquid of money.Say we have a recession, and I lose my job for 2 years. The job market is really rough for a while. If I had been saving for a year, maximizing tax deferred accounts, that would leave me with 5200 in the taxable account less than that, really, thanks to the whole recession thing, and taxes... lets say after all its about 2300Which is a terrifying amount that would last me maybe 3 months.However, had I been NOT maxing tax-deferred accounts and had more in taxable accounts say, 1700 a month, then Id have a much more reasonable 20,400 in the bank, which is much easier to work with during a time of unemployment, or a time where I want to leave my job for a bit, etc.Is this just risk assessment, or is there something to deferred accounts that would help me in these situations?  <response>: First, a 6 month emergency fund is not small. Second, being out of work for 2 years due to a recession is not the norm. 