Last reviewed: 24 September 2026
Start with the first milestone
£100 or £500 can still make a difference when starting from zero. Then work toward one month of essential spending and a larger target if appropriate.
Keep emergency money accessible
The purpose is resilience, so consider access and protection as well as interest.
Choose a sustainable contribution
A smaller amount you can maintain is more useful than a target that forces you to borrow again for normal expenses.