If You Don't Have an Emergency Fund, You're in the Minority

According to a just-released study from Principal Financial Group, 56 percent of workers and 69 percent of retirees have an emergency fund. That's up from 50 percent and 67 percent last quarter, respectively.

Nearly a third of those workers say their rainy-day stash could cover more than six months of living expenses, should they get laid off or hit with a big, unexpected expense. Retirees are even more responsible: 52 percent say they've saved up six months of expenses.

If you haven't started saving yet, check out this nifty emergency-fund calculator (courtesy of blogger Money Under 30). Also, see my post on Emergency Funds 101.