Great job with the break down--the numbers seem spot on. I just checked my spending for September and I spent $1600 for discretionary; and this was with larger

Great job with the break down--the numbers seem spot on. I just checked my spending for September and I spent $1600 for discretionary; and this was with larger family dinners where I paid, and also a weekend trip to LA with friends. I'm more on the frugal side, though. In regards to the 10% vs 25%, I believe most guidelines account for retirement saving. So with your numbers, we'd be at 28% which isn't too shabby. But yeah, in terms of getting six months worth of savings.. 1200 # rent 500 # student loans 1200 # discretionary =1900 1900 * 6 11400 / 1000 = 11.4 We'd need 12 months, which isn't unrealistic either. I figured one can easily live on $1200 for discretionary when unemployed. $300 for utilities, $600 for food ($20/day), $300 for whatever else. Just can't be blogging from Sightglass every day.