<prompt> Human: Every so often theres a discussion of where to store your emergency fund. Ive always been of the opinion that something like an online savings account was just fine, and the naysayers that claim it isnt worth the time it takes to withdraw in an emergency were being silly. Well thanks to my habit of buying shady project cars, I have officially changed my stance. I pull out cash for a used project car that came up unexpectedly, drove two hours with my brother to get it. On the road home the crankshaft pulley decided to cut loose and we were dead on the road. Had to have it towed 40mi home. Between pulling cash out for the car itself, and paying cash for the tow got a discount, my checking cash reserves were down to only a couple hundred bucks. And the fund transfer I had initiated 48hrs earlier still hadnt cleared. Everything ended up working out for me in this situation. If I had something else go wrong and needed more cash on the spot- I would have been screwed. I was stressed the next day until that transfer cleared. I will be shuffling my account, and holding at least half of my allotment of emergency fund, rather that the 10 I was previously, in my checking. You never know how quick you need cash until you need cash quick!  <response>: My personal guideline is to never allow my checking account balance to go below 1 month worth of expenses. 