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Week two: Shore up cash reserves
Time it takes:15 minutes

You know you need an emergency fund; in fact, you may have even started one. But given how busy you've gotten, it likely isn't big enough.

This cash account, meant to tide you over during a layoff, illness or other turn of bad luck, should be stocked with at least three months' living expenses in good economic times, six in bad (read: now), says Karen Altfest, a New York City financial planner.

To get to that level without having to think about it, set up a recurring transfer from your checking account to a dedicated emergency account. Need a place to park the cash? Consider Vanguard's Prime Money Market Fund, which recently paid 2.35%, has low fees and is ultrasafe.

NEXT: Week three: Put the right price on your life

Last updated June 10 2008: 9:39 AM ET

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