Good plan and one tweak that helps with swings: set your fixed paycheck using the average of your lowest three months from the last year rather than 80-85% of the overall average, then revisit quarterly. Add a stage-zero target of one month's rent plus utilities so housing is locked in first, then build to one month bare-bones, three, and six. After three months, tack on a small move fund or laptop-replacement cushion, since those are common "emergencies" for renters and freelancers.
