 TITLE: 5 Bad Money Habits and How to Break Them CONTENT: 2\\. Not Setting Aside Money for Emergencies\n-------------------------------------------\nEmergency expenses have a way of popping up when you least expect them. Whether it's a broken leg, two flat tires or a sick cat, an emergency can easily set you back thousands of dollars. If you haven't built up much of an emergency fund, those costs could affect your budget for years to come.\nThe lack of an emergency fund can put you in a difficult financial situation. It might, for instance, require you to pay a hospital tab with a high-interest credit card or put you behind on your rent. Ultimately, it can force you to decide which bills to pay and which bills to skip, which is never a good position to be in. But don't beat yourself up if you lack an emergency fund. It's estimated that 25% of Americans don't have a single penny in emergency savings. END