Two-thirds of Americans financially shaky

The National Foundation for Credit Counseling did an online poll in July and the results aren't pretty. If confronted with an unexpected bill of $1,000, only 36% of respondents would be able to tap an emergency fund.

I suspect a lot of us wouldn't be wild about forking over $1k. Ideally, we'd all be able to do it anyway. But that other 64% is all over the fiscal map, and heading into tragic financial territory.

Here's how those folks say they'd pay:

• Take out a loan: 9%.
• Borrow from friends/family: 17%.
• Cash advance on credit card: 9%.
• Disregard other monthly expenses: 17%.
• Sell/pawn assets: 12%.

• Kvetch about how much everything costs -- but keep buying?
• Scoff at coupons and meal planning?
• Won't even consider consignment stores?
• Never wait for sales or search out online coupons?
• Refuse to give up even a single creature comfort because they "deserve" such things?

• Bing: Who saves in America?

"Without adequate savings, consumers have poor resolution choices when an emergency arises. People often say they can't afford to save, but the truth is that they can't afford not to," says NFCC spokesperson Gail Cunningham. Post continues after video about a similar poll.

Current sacrifice, future gains
For a couple of stretches in my life I've been scarily close to the edge. The reason I made it through was that I was willing to go without certain things (i.e., pretty much anything nonessential) in order to meet certain goals.

Chief among those goals was to build an emergency fund. Having even a slim cushion of cash provided tremendous peace of mind and -- bonus! -- once established it kept my spending in check. Frankly, it had been so much work to build even a small savings account that I would move heaven and earth not to touch it.

And when I did draw down? I made it my business to put the money back as soon as possible.

The longest journey begins with a single step
If you haven't got any savings at all, start some. As Cunningham notes, you can't afford not to save.

Look really, really hard at your budget. Track your spending. If you could squirrel away even $2 to $5 a week, in a year's time you'd have $104 to $260 that might otherwise have gone to the dollar menu or a magazine when you went in to pay for gas.

It may sound pitiful to save just $2 a week. But you really do have to start somewhere, and once you see the numbers creep up, you, too, may work hard to keep them rising. You might pack an economical sandwich instead of having lunch out five times a week. Maybe temporarily cut the cable. Once your clothes wear out, hit the consignment stores or better yet, thrift stores.

When that $1,000 expense (or even a $100 one) pops up, being able to meet even some of it in cash means less damage to your credit card. Or, heaven forbid, your needing to disregard regular monthly expenses.

More on MSN Money:

• 4 fast ways to save money now
• The real reason you're broke
• Got $2,000 in a pinch?
• Calculator:Is your budget in balance?
• 8 quick ways to slash your bills
• How do your finances stack up?