Hate to break this to you, Donald Trump, but the dreaded words "You're fired" were around and unpleasant long before you tried to trademark them, baby. Getting fired, laid off, alternatively employed or whatever other load of bull you wanna call it is scary. It's happened to me, so the smart money is talking here. The worst part is the feeling you get when you get the axe. Your world is turned upside-down worse than a loan on a totaled 2007 Mercedes.

It's times like that where it's important to have an emergency fund. You never know when life is gonna throw a Sugar Ray-sized roundhouse and slug you a good one. I know what you're thinking ... 'I've got job security and bills to pay.' Lemme clue you in, jack; if you're not ready when life hits, the only one who's going to pay is you.

Dave Ramsey says to get yourself a rainy-day fund. And he's seen his share of rainy days. Have your umbrella ready and waiting, jack.