Financial security.. have an emergency fund

Mint.com's blog has some excellent personal finance information. I especially appreciate its simplicity.

When I was 22 and selected my own health insurance (self-employed), I thought, "well, I never get sick so..." I did not consider that I could have an accident. I blew my knee out playing soccer and ended up having ACL reconstruction surgery. Based on the insurance I had, I still spent approximately $10,000 in total.