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This emergency spending measure is certainly only the beginning, since we here in Washington will continue to work closely with the president and emergency agencies to ensure they continue receiving the funding they need.

If we know there is enough money in there for nine or ten months, we won't worry too much. They can come back and get more-not all they want, but a large piece of it. So you always have the supplemental as a safety valve.

And I think it's a prudent, responsible way, given the scale of the emergency, the scale of the damage still facing America, that we finance these additional support for the unemployed as well as the support for small business. We think there's a good case for doing it now. We want to do it in an overall fiscally responsible way.

If the only way you can build an emergency fund is to pay the minimum due on your credit card, that is what you need to do.

If you're not paying for it through the health plan, you pay for it in the emergency room.

It may take you months or even a few years to build up an adequate emergency savings fund. That's okay.

Every one says: 'Listen, I'd love to reinvest. I'd love to hire people. But I have no idea what this healthcare bill is going to do to my bottom line. I have no idea what this financial reform bill is going to do... I'm not going to step out a limb and do any of those until I know what this government is going to do to me.'

Your goal should be to pay off your credit card bills in full at the end of each month and set aside money toward your emergency savings.

Anytime a large, emergency spending bill makes its way through Congress, the potential for mischief is great.

Make it a priority to have at least eight months of living costs set aside in a federally insured bank or credit union account.