Plan Your First Emergency Fund in Simple Steps

An emergency fund is one of those things everyone agrees is sensible and approximately no one has set up deliberately. This explains what amount to aim for and why it is not a fixed rule, where to keep it, what stops most people starting, and how to set it up so it runs without a monthly decision.

You have no emergency fund yet and want to build one. Provide a plain-English plan covering:
1. Why three to six months of expenses is the standard target and why that number is not fixed
2. The right amount to start with if three months feels impossible (and why starting matters more than the amount)
3. Where to keep the money (what type of account and what to look for)
4. The one thing most people do that delays starting indefinitely
5. A simple way to automate it so it does not require monthly decisions

Assume no prior financial knowledge. Under 250 words. No financial product recommendations by name.