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• Want to save? Join the 'Dollar Bill Challenge'

  Posted Sep 22 2008, 09:04 AM by Donna Freedman
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  Filed under: saving, emergency, Donna Freedman, budgeting
  Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money

  Starting in January, Smart Spending message board reader "Pepperdoo" vowed to save all her singles. Thus far, her "Dollar Bill Challenge" has netted her $615.  The money will probably pay for vehicle insurance or a new front door, but she might also just bank it for any unforeseen expense.
  

  Pepperdoo isn't alone. Some readers have been doing this for months, some just started, and all have progress to report. "Shadow2103" has almost $800, even after buying her daughter's college textbooks, and is dreaming of a cash-only Christmas. "Yoopergramma," age 67, is $161 closer to a trip to next year's motorcycle rally in Sturgis, S.D.   Read More...

  Discuss ( 24 comments) 6,710 Views Digg this | Email this | Link to this

• The big flood, and my emergency fund ark

  Posted Dec 05 2007, 08:34 AM by Donna Freedman
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  Filed under: saving, emergency, Donna Freedman
  Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money

  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...

  Discuss ( 5 comments) 1,192 Views Digg this | Email this | Link to this

• A cache of cash

  Posted Oct 12 2007, 07:27 AM by Donna Freedman
  Rating:
  Filed under: saving, emergency, Donna Freedman
  Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money

  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...

  Discuss ( 261 comments) 273,869 Views Digg this | Email this | Link to this