How long will my savings last?
If your paycheck stopped today, how many months would your money hold out? Fill in what you have and what you owe. The calculator runs in your browser and doesn't send what you enter anywhere.
Savings
Monthly bills
Debt payments
Months left: how many payments remain. Leave it blank if it won't end soon. Loans that end free up cash later.
Money still coming in
Benefits vary by state, usually replace part of your pay, and often last up to about 6 months. Check your state's unemployment agency. Leave at 0 to plan for the worst.
One-time costs ahead
A car repair, a move, a dental bill. Pick the month it hits (1 = next month).
Your balance over time
Ways to make it last longer
How this calculator works
It plays your finances forward one month at a time. Each month it adds up your bills, debt payments and any one-time costs, subtracts the income still coming in (a partner's pay, a side job, unemployment), and takes the difference out of your savings. Your runway is how many months pass before the balance reaches zero.
Debts with a set number of months left stop costing you when they end, so a loan that finishes in four months doesn't drag your result down forever. It does not model interest on savings, inflation, or taxes on withdrawals, so treat the answer as a planning estimate.
Frequently asked questions
How many months of savings should I have?
A common rule of thumb is three to six months of essential expenses, and more if your income is irregular or your industry is unstable.
Should I count unemployment benefits?
Benefits vary by state, usually replace only part of your pay, and last a limited time. Start with them at zero, then add them as a best case.
What counts as cash I can use?
Checking, savings, and money you could reach quickly without big penalties. Retirement accounts usually don't belong here, because early withdrawals can bring taxes and penalties.
Is my information saved?
Not on a server. What you enter stays in your browser. The Copy link button creates a link that contains your numbers, so only share it with people you trust.
Your first week after a layoff
- File for unemployment as soon as you're eligible. Check your state's rules, since waiting can delay or reduce benefits.
- Read any severance agreement carefully before signing, and ask how long you have to decide.
- Sort out health coverage. Losing job-based coverage generally opens a special window to enroll in a marketplace plan, often about 60 days, and COBRA is another option.
- Contact lenders and your landlord early. Many offer hardship options if you ask before missing a payment.
- Pause the recurring costs you can, then rerun your numbers above.
- Avoid pulling from retirement accounts until you've priced the taxes and penalties.
General information only, not legal or financial advice. Rules vary by state and situation.