Totally agree. I would say closer to a year, but some would disagree. Less than 6 months is not enough, especially for freelance/consulting types.

Hell, make it at least a year. If you can't plan this far ahead, either your expenses are too high or you're doing something that is not sustainable. At least a year should be a long-term goal if you're doing something which is at all exposed to random acts of God.

> At least a year should be a long-term goal if you're doing something which is at all exposed to random acts of God.

You mean like being a human being who is currently alive on the planet Earth?

I tend to forget the number (is it 6 months? 9?) and just say, oh hell, make it 18 months.

It won't kill you to have more dry powder rather than less. But then, I tend to be a bit conservative and paranoid about money. :)