Miranda is an award-winning freelancer who has covered various financial markets and topics since 2006. In addition to writing about personal finance, investing, college planning, student loans, insurance, and other money-related topics, Miranda is an avid podcaster and co-hosts the Money Talks News podcast.
As a 30+ year member of the AICPA, Nancy has experienced all facets of finance, including tax, auditing, payroll, plan benefits, and small business accounting. Her résumé includes years at KPMG International and McDonald’s Corporation. She now runs her own accounting business, serving several small clients in industries ranging from law and education to the arts.
What should you do before a financial emergency strikes?
Build an emergency fund that covers several months of expenses, and familiarize yourself with safety nets like unemployment benefits or food assistance. Knowing your options before trouble hits can help you avoid taking on costly debt later.
When should you use your emergency savingsâand when should you borrow?
Tap your savings for true emergencies such as job loss, medical bills, or urgent car repairs. If savings arenât enough, consider a low-rate loan or hardship program, but avoid payday loans, cash advances, or other high-interest debt that can worsen your situation.
How can you manage cash flow during a financial emergency?
Reduce spending by pausing subscriptions, negotiating bill extensions, and contacting lenders about hardship programs. Careful cash flow management helps stretch savings and may keep borrowing to a minimum.
âExpect the unexpected,â so the old saying goes. But when it comes to financial emergencies, thatâs easier said than done.
When trouble strikes, itâs usually twofold. Thereâs the actual emergencyâa car repair, medical issue, job lossâthat needs immediate attention. The other component, the financial part, might come second. Thatâs why itâs important to be prepared. Know what resources you have available and how to keep your finances on track.
Key Points
Take stock of your resources before an emergency strikes.
Use an emergency loan in a pinch, but look for low-rate or even family loans.
Prioritize your spending and cut the unnecessary stuff first.
Before an emergency, know your possible resources
Be prepared for any emergency before it happens. You should already have emergency savings in place. In the back of your mind, know the various resources that might be available to you, depending on the type of emergency:
Unemployment benefits. If your financial emergency is a job loss, apply for unemployment benefits as soon as possible. These are benefits youâre entitled to, from a system you have been contributing to throughout your working life, so taking them when needed is common sense.
Food assistance. Your municipality, local government, or nearby college or university likely has a food bank or pantry that will allow you to replace or supplement trips to the grocery store. Check for charitable soup kitchens and other non-profit meal resources as well. If your emergency prompted a loss of income, be sure to apply for government-run food programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Other emergency assistance. Check with non-profit agencies regarding help with utilities, housing, and other bills. This relief can help you focus on getting back on track.
Friends and family. Loved ones might be willing to help by providing gift cards, needed food, or even a short-term loan.
Other financial resources. In some cases, you might be able to liquidate stocks or other assets in order to manage your financial emergency. (But note: if you have capital gains from selling assets, youâll owe taxes at the end of the year.) If you have a 401(k) plan from a current or previous employer, check to see if you are allowed a hardship distribution. But know that youâll have to pay taxes and possibly a 10% penalty. Check with your plan representative for options.
Understanding these resources and using them during a financial emergency can help you stretch your emergency savingsâand help you avoid going deeply into debt.
Cash flow management during your emergency
During your emergency period, pay close attention to your cash flow. Start by looking for ways to cut back on expenses. Cancel recurring subscriptions and services you donât need. Donât forget about strategies to save money on things you do need by comparison shopping, using coupons, and shopping at thrift stores. You might get in touch with your local âbuy-nothingâ group that specializes in repurposing and redistributing items of use.
Then, reach out to creditors and utility companies. Some have hardship programs, or might allow you to adjust the due date on your bills, giving you some breathing room as you weather the storm. However, interest still accrues on loans and credit cards that are in deferment or forbearance. You still need to pay the money back, but getting help now can alleviate your immediate emergency.
Using emergency savings
Emergency savings are just thatâmeant for financial emergencies. Before you tap into your emergency fund, consider whether itâs a true emergency. After a job loss, an unexpected medical bill, or an appliance breakdown, you might need access to emergency savings quickly. Repairs for the vehicle that gets you to work definitely require access to your emergency savings.
A new game console or a bachelorette party in Nashville? Not so much. Avoid using money in your emergency fund for unnecessary purchases.
If you can use other resources, consider turning to those first. If you do tap into your emergency fund, work to rebuild your emergency savings as quickly as possible once the situation passes.
BNPL allows you to pay off purchases in installments over time, but there are risks to watch out for.
Taking out an emergency loan may make sense if, for example, you have an introductory zero annual percentage rate (APR) on a credit card, and you know you can pay it off before the promotional period ends. This type of emergency loan is appropriate for an appliance or car repair emergency. It might get you through a short-term financial crunch.
A personal loan, especially if it has a low interest rate, can also help. Check the terms of the loan and choose a monthly payment that you can afford. And try to pay off the loan as quickly as possible.
Payday loans. These come with high fees and can trap you in a cycle of debt.
Title loans. In addition to coming with high fees and interest, a title loan also puts your vehicle at risk. If the emergency becomes worse and you canât make loan payments, you could lose your means of reliable transportation.
Cash advance. You might be able to get the money quickly from your credit card, but a cash advance usually comes with a higher interest rate and a fee as high as 5%.
401(k) loan. Your 401(k) plan might also allow a loan (if you are still employed), but tapping into your future for a current problem is risky. Youâll also have to pay the loan back to your 401(k) account and will incur penalties if you donât do it on time.
Other high-interest debt. Some personal loans and credit cards come with high interest rates. You can become stuck in debt without a way to pay it down effectively.
These types of debt are a last resortâto be used only after you have exhausted your other community, family, and personal resources.
Personal loan vs. emergency savings
Deciding between taking a personal loan and tapping into emergency savings can be tough. If you can get a low-rate loan with a manageable payment to supplement using emergency savings, this can be a logical hybrid approach. However, borrowing moneyâparticularly when you have a gap in your incomeâcan be dangerous. Some people fall into a debt trap thatâs hard to escape. But if the emergency is severe enough that your emergency fund canât handle it, and your other resources are inadequate, it might be your best option.
The bottom line
Financial emergencies are a sad fact of life. But the best way to prepare is by heeding another old saying: âAn ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.â
In other words, plan ahead. Remember those fire drills from grade school? They were all about knowing what to do and where to turn during an emergency.
Financial emergencies are similar, except the planning and prevention involve bolstering the ârainy dayâ fund, learning about resources available in your community, and getting access to a cheap line of credit if you need it. On that last point, itâs important to monitor your credit score and do all you can to raise it when times are good. Thatâs the best way to get favorable credit terms when you need them.
And be sure to prioritize your spending. List your expenses from least to most important. Those items at the top can be the first to go during an emergency, making your decision process a little easier.
Letâs face it: Itâs never a good time to deal with an emergency. But if you take steps ahead of time, you can deal with the actual emergency, knowing youâve got a handle on the financial side.
