Getting used to a commission-based income in a HCOL area: How much do you keep in short-term savings? I’m 29 and was in grad school for STEM until recently. By the grace of God I have no debt from my education, but on the other hand it’s not like that adventure left me with a ton of cash or job experience. I work in scientific sales now for an established company on an established team. My “probationary” starting arrangement was a base of $110K …