Oh man, have I been there before! The only advice I can offer is the advice that's hardest to take: you have got to build that 'cushion'. No matter how hard it is, you simply have to put aside a set amount each payday for savings until you DO have a cushion, even if it does mean the ramen route, no CDs, etc. If you don't have an emergency fund, you just aren't in control of your own life.
Although if I'm totally honest with myself, the best economic move I ever made was finding a woman with better 'money sense' than I have...