How much cash must be available before arrival?

Put payments on dates

List booking payments, travel, rent, deposits and setup charges on their actual due dates. Record confirmed income and refunds separately, with their expected availability dates. The monthly cost of living does not tell you whether you can meet a large payment before the move. Include only money you can access when needed, not an unconfirmed reimbursement.

Track the running balance

Starting with available cash, subtract each outgoing payment and add each confirmed incoming payment in date order. Illustration: 2,000 available minus 1,200 rent and 1,000 deposit leaves a 200 gap before a later salary arrives. The deposit may be refundable, but that does not remove the immediate gap. This example is a cash-timing calculation, not advice on how much savings everyone needs.

Test a delayed payment

Move an uncertain reimbursement or deposit return to a later date and recalculate the lowest balance. Keep an explicitly chosen contingency separate from known bills; there is no universal buffer implied by this guide. Verify transfer times and access to your own funds through your provider. Avoid posting account statements or identifying financial documents in a public discussion.

Sources and further reading

• Lifovra — methodology and limitations