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This is a guest post from former GRS staff writer Donna Freedman.

According to the U.S. government, all citizens should have enough supplies to survive for at least three days in an emergency. Depending on where you live, “emergency” could mean tornado, earthquake, blackout, flood, wildfire, hurricane, ice storm or zombie apocalypse.

How ready do you feel?

It is possible to put together an emergency kit without breaking the bank. In fact, you may already have some (or much) of what you need already.

Use this list of basic needs and frugal hacks to be ready for the worst. Best-case scenario: The worst won’t happen. Second best-case scenario: The worst happens, but you’ll be as ready as anyone can be.

This article is by staff writer Holly Johnson.

Unless you are born with a silver spoon, the journey toward financial independence will most likely be arduous. Even those who’ve reached the happy state of retirement have stories to tell about the ups and downs they experienced, their mistakes and triumphs, and what it really took to get there. And most of us — especially those who regularly read this site — are still in the midst of our own journey and trying to enjoy the ride as much as we can.

This is a guest post from former GRS staff writer Donna Freedman.

There’s no such thing as a free puppy. Or kitten. Or hamster, lizard, fish or rabbit. Even if someone hands you a critter outright, you can expect to spend between $580 to $875 a year for basic expenses, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Oh, and that doesn’t count things like purchase price/adoption fees, collar, leash, crate, spaying/neutering and other “capital costs.” Or for any of the myriad (and sometimes silly) ways we profess love for our animals. The American Pet Products Association says that U.S. pet owners spent a little over $58 billion last year on our critters; this year the estimate is $60.59 billion.

Who says you can’t put a price on love? But keep in mind that:

This article is by staff writer Lisa Aberle.

What do you do when you want to pay off your debt but you calculate it will take 25 years to do so on your current income?

Well, if you’re Adrienne Dorison, you start a side business and start shoveling yourself out of debt faster!

Another reason to get out of debt

Before her income grew, though, she still had a large student loan when she started dating The One. She explains that he was a Dave Ramsey fan and, consequently, good with money. The thought of bringing debt into their marriage (now that they’re engaged!) embarrassed her.

But her fiancé was supportive. When she told him of her debt, he said, “We can deal with that.”