re: How much of an emergency fund do I really need?

shite will add up like a mo-fo when you move out.

Even renting at $500-$600 a month puts a massive dent in your pay check. Plus utilities, plus TV and internet etc etc.

It's really sad and shocking, be prepared and save as much as you possibly can while you live at home. Then create a spreadsheet style budget and follow it until you're making enough to comfortably not be so anal.

I wasted about 2 years living in LA after graduation, working for a big CPG and not having a decent budget. I saved pretty solid in my 401K, but my cash savings were pretty pathetic. I have since moved to STL, have a lot more free money and focus a lot more on savings. But even in an affordable market, living on your own and paying for everything will destroy a solid paycheck pretty quickly.