And start-ups can feel that much more volatile. They aren't, really, I was once laid off by a huge bank two weeks after Christmas, and that with my wife on bed

And start-ups can feel that much more volatile. They aren't, really, I was once laid off by a huge bank two weeks after Christmas, and that with my wife on bedrest for complications in her pregnancy. I'm at early days with consulting but I feel a lot more secure with my skill set than I ever did at some large company. But the advice elsewhere about getting to six month's expenses is realllll good advice. I'd keep the spending thin until hitting at least that point -- and yeah, that can take a while.