It may or may not be hurricane season, but don't tell that to Dean. As in Hurricane Dean, which is making a beeline for the Tex/Mex coast. With all the drama that happened with Katrina and Rita a couple of years ago, everyone is bracing for a big one. It's a shame when you have to see the worst to know that you need to prepare for the worst. And I'm not just talking about Mother Nature, see? Life can hit you with a car wreck, a sick relative and a job loss ... and that's just before breakfast. So be ready for life's little curve balls.

Here are some quick tips for when an emergency is due to hit, jack. Have an emergency fund ready. Be debt-free. Spend less dough than you make. Wait ... those are things you should be doing anyway. And it doesn't even take a hurricane to make it happen. Get my point, jack?