[davidamcclain]

I agree that some sort of cushion/runway is very important. But why do you suggest 12 months? Is the idea that you can spend 6-8 months making no money chasing around contracts and then you've got 6-4 months to find a job?

[base]

Although you might start making money soon it can take more than one year to be able to consistently go above the $3k per month. Also, in the beginning you might need to put some money in the business like buying new computers, new cellphone, costs of creating a company... Last but not least you should have an emergency fund for unexpected events and to able to find a job again if in need.

Of course this is not science, but I think most entrepreneurs (including me) are overoptimistic about the time it takes to reach certain goals.