Index funds have short term risks. bartvk was giving the basic advice of putting it into savings since 6-9 months is a very appropriate cash buffer. Always keep

Index funds have short term risks. bartvk was giving the basic advice of putting it into savings since 6-9 months is a very appropriate cash buffer. Always keep in mind, that reasons for needing cash and down markets tend to be highly correlated (think losing your job because the stock market lost 40% of it's value in less than a month).