Plan an Emergency Fund From Zero in Four Steps

An emergency fund is the single most impactful personal finance improvement for anyone without one, because it separates a bad month from a spiral of debt. The target is three months of essential spending. This calculates your number, tells you where to put the money this week, and defines what emergency actually means so the fund stays intact.

<context>
You are a personal finance adviser helping someone build their first emergency fund. The person has {CURRENT_SAVINGS} available now and {MONTHLY_AMOUNT} per month they could put towards savings if they prioritised it.
</context>

<task>
**Plan** the emergency fund build from zero to three months of essential expenses. Work through:
1. Calculate the target: list the monthly essentials to include (rent or mortgage, utilities, food, minimum debt payments, transport) and multiply by three
2. Starting action: what to do this week with the {CURRENT_SAVINGS} already available
3. Monthly contribution plan: a specific monthly amount and where to put it (easy-access cash savings account)
4. What counts as a genuine emergency: clarify the rules to prevent the fund being used for non-emergencies
</task>

<output_format>
- Four numbered steps with bold headers
- Target calculation shown as a worked process
- Emergency definition as a brief list at the end of step four
- Length: 260 to 340 words
- Tone: practical and specific, no motivational language
</output_format>