[balfirevic]

> If we were married, we could reduce our cash savings by 50% and instead invest that money into the open market.

How come you suddenly need 50% less emergency cash per person just because you're married?

[waterhouse]

I'm guessing they want enough emergency cash to last them for N months if all income disappeared, and that their expenses are dominated by rent and other things whose costs don't increase with a second person.

[balfirevic]

The original comment was comparing cash savings in situation where the couple lives together but is not married vs. when they marry. It specifically mentioned the possibility of breakup before marriage, but people divorce all the time and if you get into that situation you'll need those savings.