Size the cash cushion you should hold against job loss or an unexpected bill, and see how many months of saving it takes to get there from where you are now.
The target is simply monthly expenses multiplied by the months of cover you want to hold. The calculator then subtracts what you have already saved and divides the shortfall by your monthly saving rate to estimate how long the gap takes to close.
Three to six months is the usual guidance for a stable salaried job with dual household income. Six to twelve is more appropriate if you are self-employed, on variable income, the sole earner, or in a sector where finding a new role takes longer.
Somewhere liquid and stable — a sweep-in savings account, liquid fund, or short-term FD. The point is availability at short notice without capital loss, not returns. Equity is unsuitable because the moment you need it may coincide with a market fall.
Generally yes, at least a basic buffer. Without one, an unexpected expense forces you to redeem investments at whatever price the market offers that day, or to borrow at high interest — which usually costs more than the returns you gained by investing early.
This calculator is for information only and is not investment, tax, or financial advice. Figures are estimates based on the assumptions you enter and are not a guarantee of future returns. Consult a SEBI-registered adviser or a qualified tax professional before acting.