Traditional advice tells you to save a fixed amount every month, which is easy to ignore when your income swings from generous to thin. People who freelance, work on commission, or run seasonal businesses need a different approach.
Instead of a fixed monthly figure, save a fixed percentage of whatever comes in. In a strong month you set aside more; in a lean month you set aside less, but you never stop entirely. This keeps the habit alive without forcing you to overcommit during a slow stretch.
Aim first for a small buffer — enough to cover one modest emergency — before reaching for the larger goal of several months of expenses. A reachable target keeps you going; an intimidating one invites you to give up.
Keep the fund completely separate from the account you use to smooth out uneven months. Blending the two makes it impossible to tell whether you are handling a real emergency or just a normal dip in income.
