Should I lower my emergency fund target if I have a big credit line or HELOC available?

Be cautious — a credit card limit or a home equity line of credit (HELOC) can be a backup, but it's not a substitute for real cash. Lenders can reduce or freeze credit lines exactly when the economy turns and you most need them, which is what happened to many HELOCs in past downturns. Borrowed money also comes with interest, and a HELOC puts your home on the line. It's reasonable to count a HELOC or credit availability as a secondary, last-resort layer behind your cash reserve, which might let you sit at the lower end of your range rather than skipping the fund. But the dependable safety net is liquid cash you actually own. Build the core cash cushion first, then treat any credit lines as emergency backup, not your plan A.