Six months used to sound like a fortress. It felt solid, responsible, even a little impressive. Financial advice repeated that number so often that it turned into a rule, not a suggestion. Hit six months of expenses, breathe easy, move on.
That number doesn’t hit the same anymore. Costs stretch further, job markets shift faster, and recovery takes longer than it used to. The idea of “enough” has quietly changed, and clinging to the old benchmark can leave a gap that only shows up when it’s too late. In 2026, eight months doesn’t sound excessive. It sounds prepared.
