Whether you consider yourself to be financially responsible, or you always seem to come up short on cash, there are a few key indicators that may indicate you are living beyond your meansĀ and being aware of them can save you loads of money woes in times of a cash emergency. Clients frequently underestimate lifes uncertainties and discount the need to have cash available for unexpected events like unemployment, illness, disabilities, and family emergencies, he says. If you have a less-than-stable career or youre self-employed, he recommends saving as much as 12 months worth of income.