Establish an emergency fund

You can't predict an emergency, but you can prepare for one. The best way to do so is to set up an emergency fund of 3-6 months of living expenses.

Common financial emergencies include job loss, natural disasters and car, house and health issues.

63% of Americans cannot afford a $500 emergency.

That means the average American would have to resort to high-interest credit card debt to pay for surprise expenses.

Do your future self a favor and save 3 to 6 months' worth of living expenses.

Many singles don't have a strong enough backup plan to cover the costs of a major illness or other problems.

Ensure you have enough cash on hand to cover emergencies. For singles, the aim is between nine and twelve months of living expenses in a savings account. As you nea...