Isn't that a surprise, jack? It costs more and more each day to see the doc and feel better. In fact, healthcare costs rose more than inflation in 2006, to the tune of 7.7 percent. It's gettin' so bad that some companies are dropping healthcare coverage plans for their workers. Sad news.

This is a reason why it's so important to have a full emergency fund in place. If you have a big pile of cash saved up, you can choose the medical plan with the Manhattan-sized deductible. Do that and you'll have lower monthly premiums. If bad luck hits you and you go to the hospital, you'll need to pay a big deductible, but that's exactly what the rainy-day fund is there for, bub. You'll have low prices for the premium and dough for the deductible. It's a win-win setup ... just like Dave Ramsey teaches.

Make sure to save the moolah so you can be ready when life deals you a bad hand. Being able to control your cash will be your ace-in-the-hole. Make it happen, baby.