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• The big flood, and my emergency fund ark

  Posted Dec 05 2007, 08:34 AM by Donna Freedman
  Filed under: Saving, Emergency, Donna Freedman
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  Heavy rain flooded half my North Seattle block on Monday. After a dozen chaotic hours -- eight of them without power -- at the apartment building I manage, I really, really did not want to sleep on a Red Cross cot.
  

  Yet another reason to have an emergency fund: a hotel room with privacy and unlimited hot water.
  

  Sure, I could have bunked at the emergency shelter. I chose not to do so. Choice is one of the luxuries that an EF affords us.   Read More...

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• A cache of cash

  Posted Oct 12 2007, 07:27 AM by Donna Freedman
  Filed under: Saving, Emergency, Donna Freedman
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  Hidden in my apartment is a slowly growing collection of small bills. I’ve been setting aside ones and fives toward the goal of having cash on hand for emergencies.
  

  Some Smart Spending message board readers do this, too. Whether they call it pin money, bail money, “gittin’ out of town” money or just a collection of presidential quarters, having a little ready cash makes them feel, well, ready.
  

  The U.S. government wants us to be ready. One of the Department of Homeland Security’s Web sites, www.ready.gov, recommends keeping some folding green on hand, right alongside the food, water and bucket toilet.
  

  After all, some emergencies mean power failures -- bye-bye, ATMs.   Read More...

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