I have 3-6 months buffer, depending on lifestyle (can probably stretch it a bit more). I'm sure it's better than it would've been otherwise, but my stress isn't gone still. I still struggle with whether I'm good enough to get another contract. Do I network enough? Do I go to meet-ups enough? Do I read up on industry developments enough? And this from someone who has his own company and doesn't answer to anyone but clients, and have never been fired from a job.

Confidence and security I guess can never come externally. I'm better at it than when I was younger, but I haven't arrived yet.