You know more than anyone that life as a freelancer can be unpredictable. Not only can your workflow fluctuate, and clients can pay late, but you also have fewer safety nets than the average salaried worker.

If you lose a contract the same month you need dental x-rays, you may be less prepared for these unpredictable challenges due to the nature of your work. That’s why you need to set aside quality emergency savings. This special stash of cash can help you take on the unknown — whether it’s a lull in work or extra medical expenses.

Here are five simple ways you can prioritize these savings right now.

1. Choose a Savings Target

First of all, you need to decide how much you need to save before you feel protected against the unexpected.

Putting a number on security is a personal decision that reflects your lifestyle and risk tolerance.

A common rule of thumb for the average worker is to save three to six months of living expenses. However, you may need to increase this target to feel safe as a freelancer. Some business owners aim to save as much as a year’s worth of expenses in savings.

2. Set Aside at Least 10% of Each Invoice

Once you set a target, now it’s the hard part: you need to figure out how to achieve this goal. As a baseline, you should save roughly 10% of each invoice or paycheck. This is a considerable contribution that still leaves behind most of your earnings for expenses, taxes, and other essentials.

You may have to play around with your budget to ensure you can handle saving this much. Sacrificing some non-essentials can help you save even more.

3. Find a Safety Net

What happens if your roof leaks this spring or your dog needs stitches after a fight at the off-leash park? Emergencies like this can be hard to predict, and sometimes, they happen before you’ve managed to sock away enough in savings.

Knowing you have a safety net can help you stay cool and collected, even in an emergency. Some freelancers choose online personal loans to be their safety nets when their savings fall short. To see if you qualify, you can apply for a small personal loan online using your phone or laptop.

Searching for these loans online makes your job easier, as you can easily compare lenders’ websites to find the best option available to you today.

4. Automate Your Contributions

Assuming you don’t need a quick personal loan online to fill in for savings, you need to focus on saving every month. Set it up so that your bank automatically moves this money into your account of choice.

Consistency is important when building a reliable emergency fund. After all, your savings will grow steadily when you save on schedule compared to saving sporadically whenever you manage to remember.

5. Select a High-Yield Savings Account

It’s in your best interest to research a high-yield option, as you’ll earn more interest on your balance. You have plenty of options when it comes to high-yield accounts. Just remember you must be able to withdraw money in an emergency, so watch out for withdrawal limits, balance minimums, and other restrictions.

And there you have it — five tips to help you accelerate your emergency savings.