The simple question Dave Ramsey says you must ask yourself to determine if you have enough savings right now

You need an emergency fund, especially in trying times like these, but just how much should go in that fund? For his part, financial guru and best-selling author Dave Ramsey says he recommends between 3-6 months of expenses in your emergency fund. (Good news on that front: many savings accounts are now paying more than they have in a decade; you can find some the best savings account rates here.)

Ramsey gives this advice to help you figure out just what that that 3-6 months of expenses means for you personally: “The easiest way to figure it out is to ask yourself this: If I was out of work, how much money would it take to get me through three to six months? Think of things like the necessary, regular expenses you have (food, housing, utilities, transportation, etc.) and not the $400 you’d like to spend on a free-for-all shopping spree—that doesn’t count.”

How much do other pros say you need in savings?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but six months of cash set aside is a good starting point, many pros say. But there’s a lot more nuance than that. For one, “the recommended size of an emergency fund varies by household,” says Paul Collinson, certified financial planner of Legacy Planning Advisors. 

“If they have a spouse working in a separate industry, they may not need to have six months and can err towards three months. If you’re single or the primary breadwinner, then you’ll want to lean towards six months,” says certified financial planner Jeanne Sutton. Adds Collinson: “Households that rely on income from self-employment should hold 6-9 months of reserves.” 

You can find some the best savings account rates here.

Where you work can make a difference, too. “Public sector employees can typically bank their sick days and receive the economic value of them at retirement [up to 180 days for teachers in New York State]. This can also replace an income that’s temporarily interrupted,” says certified financial planner Anthony Ogorek of Ogorek Wealth Management .

It’s also about your risk tolerance: “Consider your unique ability, willingness and need to take risk when determining whether it may be right to have more or less in an emergency fund,” says certified financial planner Elliot Dole of Buckingham Strategic Wealth.