Worried about the economy in the midst of Trump’s rates? Building an emergency fund can help.

How much should I save in an emergency fund?

Vanguard, the large investment fund company, proposes to set aside $ 2,000, or half of the one month’s costsWhat is larger, as a buffer to cover unexpected but common “shocks”, such as a car or house repair or medical account. In order to protect against a possible job loss, it suggests that you continue to save a buffer of three to six months of living, so that you can pay your bills while you are looking for another job. (The average unemployment span was just under six months, according to the latter job report.)

With about $ 2,000 at hand, people can generally cover unforeseen costs without resorting to credit cards, who have double digits, said Paulo Costa, a senior behavioral economist at Vanguard, who is also a certified financial planner. “The first $ 2,000 is really what makes a big difference,” he said, by helping people to prevent people from being financially derailed by common, albeit unexpected costs. “Having it when you need it offers people a lot of peace of mind.”

Even smaller amounts can help, Dr. Costa. “Saving something is better than nothing to save.”

Some research has shown that for families with a lower income, savings from only $ 250 to $ 750 can significantly reduce the risk of serious financial misery, such as missing a deferred payment or being deported.

Also take into account the circumstances of your family, said Spencer Betts, a certified financial planner in Lexington, Mass. If you are married and both you and your spouse make good salaries, it might be enough to save three months of costs. But if you are in a niche or low-demand industry and it can take a while to find a new job, you might want to put enough money aside to cover six months or more. He advised to set up both a number and a time frame. “The more specific the goal is,” he said, “the easier it is to save.”

J. Michael Collins, a professor at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and a specialist in domestic financial resources, said that the guideline of three to six months can be too discouraging for many people. He suggested that people are considering these questions: “What do you keep awake at night? Do the rent or mortgage? A car payment?” Try to set aside enough to cover for a month or two of those expenses, he said.