But the alternative, having a $2000 expense and no cash, would be a emergency. You can pay off $4000 in debt (and that doubling is probably hyperbole, but what

But the alternative, having a $2000 expense and no cash, would be a emergency. You can pay off $4000 in debt (and that doubling is probably hyperbole, but whatever), If you can handle small emergencies that will come up. Read Chapter 6 of Dave Ramsey's "Total Money Makeover" for a more thorough analysis.