I'm turning 40 next month, and the overlap with the fall season and the changes that come with it make me reflect on the feeling of being unprepared.

My windows may be insulated with plastic, but in the long run I am not ready for the cold just yet. But when are any of us ever ready, really, for anything?

I'm sure we've all had those moments where something breaks on the car while we are between paychecks, or maybe the washing machine goes out at the same time.

To us, those moments are just the worst timing, because we feel we are not ready to deal with even mini disasters.

There are times when big expenses seem to miraculously line up with our tax returns or some sort of a windfall. While those moments are great, we can't count on them.

More often than not, when the heavy beats of li

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