I understand that not everyone can, but I also understand that people commonly over extend themselves by attempting to "keep up with the jones" or to project their status as a "high earner" but getting that large home, or brand new luxury car.

I also attempt to make myself very marketable by being a generalist instead of specializing in any one area, I have a wide range of skills that can be applied to a large number of industries.

I also live a somewhat minimalist life style so if needed I could massively downsize my expenses, currently my "Must have to live" expenses total about 60% of my income (and that is high because in the last year I acquired some new assets normally I run less than 50%) , that is my mortgage, utilities, auto expenses, food, etc. I could in theory take a 35% pay cut, it would impact my ability to save for retirement, and my hobbies but not my everyday life.

I think most people could have that level of security as well, with proper budgeting and self control, most people however want the nicest home that they pay 5-10x their annual salary for (my home is under 2x my annual salary), most want the fancy new car, I drive a reasonable used car cheap to maintain, and insure. I do not eat out often, I grow some of my own food, in fact for 2019 my goal is to get down to a food budget of less than $7 per day, I am much higher than that right now.

the point is, having a rainy day fund for job loss should be a higher priority than it is for people, i wish I would have learned that less in my 20's instead of in my mid 30's it would have saved me lost of pain.

Anything less than 6mos of expenses should be alarming to people. 3mos being the absolute bare minimum, and should be kept in a high yield cash savings account.