The TL;DR
A common rule of thumb is three months of essential costs — rent, bills, food and travel. If that feels huge, the first £500–£1,000 covers most surprises.
The detail
- 10% of UK adults have no cash savings, and 21% have less than £1,000 (FCA Financial Lives).
- Keep it somewhere instant-access so you can get it the same day.
- A weekly pot makes it automatic.
Your 5-minute move
Your 5-minute move
Use the tools and explainers below to check your own numbers.
Related questions
Receipts · checked 9 November 2026