By Zach Barton

Have you ever come down with a case of shingles, needed a knee replacement, or undergone emergency surgery? Let’s hope not – for the sake of your finances. Many people don’t realize just how much an illness can impact their financial lives.

Independent contractors, business owners and even employees who need to miss work due to a non-job-related illness or injury may have to shoulder a serious financial burden. In today’s increasingly gig economy, you are not...