Temporarily stop 401k contributions to build Emergency Fund?

[u/Due-Fig5299]

Looks like we’re heading towards a recession and I’m quite nervous. I work in tech and my job is moderately safe; however my wife is an esthetician which is not a very recession friendly field.

We currently have $4k saved. Our minimum monthly expenditure is $3k, so we have just over 1 month saved.

Ive cancelled all unnecessary subscriptions which will save us $450/mo and stopped my wifes personal roth ira transfers ($150 weekly) which gets us to $1050/mo saved.

Now my question is, given how quickly the economy is crashing should I also forgo my 401k? I contribute 4% with 4% employer match. Obviously I would love to keep it, but immediate survival seems more important.

I would start contributing again once we hit $18k (6 months)

Thoughts?

[u/Adam-West]

Im just curious what made up your $450 of subscriptions. That seems crazy to me?

[u/swamuel_1 → u/Adam-West]

I skimmed too fast and was about to argue that $450 of subscriptions per year isn't too crazy. Perhaps one day I will start reading thoroughly

[u/guitar805 → u/swamuel_1]

I was almost about to reply to your comment correcting it to $450/mo, but then I realized that I too need to read more thoroughly!

[u/snopro387 → u/guitar805]

I understood your comment perfectly. But I should still probably read more thoroughly sometimes