To start an emergency fund from scratch, follow these steps:

1. Set a Goal: Determine how much you want to save for your emergency fund. A common recommendation is to aim for 3 to 6 months' worth of living expenses.
2. Create a Budget: Track your income and expenses to identify areas where you can cut back and allocate those savings to your emergency fund.
3. Open a Separate Account: Consider opening a high-yield savings account or a money market account specifically for your emergency fund. This separation can help prevent you from dipping into the fund for non-emergencies.
4. Automate Your Savings: Set up automatic transfers from your checking account to your emergency fund account on a regular basis, such as every payday.
5. Adjust as Needed: Revisit your emergency fund goal as your financial situation changes. If you experience a major life event or increase in expenses, you may need to adjust your savings target.

By following these steps, you can establish a solid emergency fund to provide financial security in unexpected situations.