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Eve had a problem.

A tuition bill was due, and it was significantly higher than she had expected. Even worse, her checking account balance was low. Dangerously low.

"If I don't do anything, I'll definitely overdraft," she said, clearly stressed. "Or I could put it on my credit card. Ugh. I don't know what to do."

I gave her a look. I knew that Eve had spent a good part of the summer tucking away over $2,500 in an emergency savings account. She'd worked hard to build it up, cutting corners, saying no to extras, taking on extra work, doing everything right.

So, I asked the obvious question. "Why not use some of the money in your emergency fund?"

She froze, like I'd suggested something outrageous. "I can't use that money. What if I have an emergency?"

I blinked.

But... isn't that exactly what this was?

"Eve," I said. "Let me ask you three questions. Do you have to pay this bill?" She nodded. "Okay, and you have to pay it before your semester starts in a few weeks?" More nodding. "And you don't have enough in your checking account to cover it?" The nodding continued, this time with tears.

"Then move some money over from your emergency fund. That's what it's there for!"

I'm not going to lie to you; Eve's intense resistance to my suggestion was a bit of a head scratcher. So, I did a little research on the subject. And what I found genuinely surprised me.

A lot of people are terrified to dip into their emergency savings. Even for genuine no-way-to-see-it-coming emergencies. I've now read dozens of articles and forum posts by people describing their fear, guilt, frustration, even grief over having to use money from their emergency funds. One person even wrote that they felt irresponsible and like "a failure" because he had a life-threatening medical emergency and then had to take some (not even all!) of the money from his emergency fund to cover the medical bills.

He had money set aside for an emergency... used that money to pay for a genuine, life-threatening emergency... and, as a result, avoided taking on thousands and thousands of dollars of debt. And he feels like an "irresponsible failure."

Like, my guy! You did it all right! Is it frustrating that you had a surprise medical expense to the tune of $8,000? Absolutely. But you were prepared to handle it. Compared to the 49% of Americans who can't even afford a $1,000 emergency, this guy is crushing it. And he can always replenish what he had to spend.

So, consider this article a little PSA from me... The point of having an emergency fund is to use it.

What Your Emergency Fund Is — And What It's Not

Okay, first things first. Let's talk about what "emergency savings" is, what it's for, and what it's not for.

According to financial experts, your emergency savings fund is a dedicated pool of money set aside for the unexpected. Its purpose is to create a financial cushion that can absorb life's surprises without throwing your budget or plans into chaos. In other words, it's your safety net for the "what ifs" that pop up when you least expect them.

Ideally, your emergency fund should cover three to six months of essential living expenses — things like rent or mortgage, utilities, groceries, and insurance. The exact amount depends on your circumstances: if your job is stable, three months might be enough. If your income fluctuates or you're self-employed, aim for closer to six.

And here's the key: this money needs to be accessible. That means keeping it in a high-yield savings account or another low-risk, easily reachable place — not tied up in stocks or a retirement account where accessing it could take time or come with penalties.

Not Every Emergency Is Life or Death — And That's Okay

Now, I have a real problem with the way most people are told to think about their emergency funds.

When experts talk about why it's important to have emergency savings, the examples they give are almost always dramatic — a trip to the ER, a tree crashing through your roof, or losing your job unexpectedly. And while these are valid emergencies, framing it this way can make smaller but still urgent expenses feel unworthy of tapping into your fund.

It's no wonder people hesitate. They're waiting for the "big one," even when a smaller crisis is already throwing their budget into chaos.

But does that mean your emergency savings is only meant to cover trips to the emergency room? I'd argue no.

Your emergency fund isn't just for catastrophic events like a burst appendix or a totaled car. It's for those moments when an unexpected expense threatens to push you into overdraft territory or force you to take on debt.

Say your college textbooks cost $400 more than you budgeted for, and you don't have the cash in your checking account. Is it a life-or-death emergency? No. But if the alternative is putting that $400 on a credit card with a high interest rate or risking a bounced check, then yes — it's absolutely an emergency worth using your fund for.

It's not about waiting for the biggest, most dramatic emergency. It's about preventing smaller financial issues from snowballing into much larger ones.

The ultimate goal of an emergency fund is to provide stability and accessibility. Think of it as your financial first responder, ready to step in and handle the unexpected so you don't have to rely on debt. It's specifically reserved for life's surprises, the ones that demand immediate attention.

Is This Really an Emergency? Ask Yourself These Questions

So, what counts as an emergency? Here are a few questions to help you decide:

- Is this expense urgent? Does it need to be handled right now, or can it wait until you can adjust your budget?

- Is it necessary? Is this something you can't live without — like housing, transportation, or utilities?

- Will it cost more later if you don't pay it now? For example, overdraft fees or credit card interest could make delaying the payment much more expensive.

Let's tackle a specific scenario: You overspent your budget and now don't have enough money to cover rent this month. Should you take from your emergency fund to pay it? Absolutely.

Keeping a roof over your head is non-negotiable, and using your emergency fund to avoid eviction or late fees is a smart move. Just make sure to figure out where your budget went wrong and fix it right away, so this doesn't become a recurring issue. And, of course, commit to replenishing your emergency fund as soon as possible.

What doesn't count as an emergency? Let's say a new video game console you've been eyeing goes on sale for 20% off, but you don't have the extra cash in your budget this month. Should you dip into your emergency fund?

Nope.

While the sale might feel urgent, it's not an emergency — it's a want, not a need. Your emergency fund is there to protect you from financial hardship, not to score a good deal on something that can wait.

The same goes for things like an impromptu weekend getaway or a fancy dinner out because "you've had a rough week." These are expenses that can and should be planned for, not pulled from your emergency savings.

But here's the catch: Even when people face a real emergency, they often hesitate to use their savings. It's not just about the money — it's about the emotions tied to it.

Why is it so hard to use something we've worked so hard to build? Let's explore.

Why Using Your Emergency Fund Feels So Hard

It's clear that many people treat their emergency funds like they're sacred, something to protect at all costs — even at the expense of going into debt, paying overdraft fees, or stressing themselves into a breakdown.

And I get it; I really do.

You've built this savings account with care. It's a safety net, a security blanket, proof that you've done the work to prepare for life's curveballs. So, when an emergency hits, why does it feel so wrong to use it?

Part of it is fear — plain and simple.

Fear of what's next. Fear of spending the money and not being able to replace it. Fear that if you let go of even a little, you'll lose the sense of stability you've worked so hard to create.

And I'd wager there's also a little bit of shame baked in there — shame over not being able to avoid the emergency in the first place. It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking, "If I'd been smarter with my money, maybe I wouldn't be in this situation."

But life happens. No one can plan for everything, and that's exactly why emergency funds exist. Using yours isn't a sign of poor planning; it's a sign that you've planned well enough to handle the unexpected.

Debt or Savings? Why Using Your Emergency Fund Is the Better Move

Using your emergency savings to prevent taking on high-interest debt isn't irresponsible or reckless or shortsighted — it's smart.

Instead of pulling out a credit card (or worse, some form of pay-day loan) and racking up interest, you've got cash set aside. No borrowing. No stress. No wondering how you'll scrape together next month's minimum payment.

Imagine you have a $1,000 expense, and instead of pulling from your emergency fund, you put it on a credit card with a 26% interest rate. Over the course of a year, that balance grows to $1,260 if you're only making minimum payments. That's $260 gone — just in interest — because you felt like you couldn't touch your savings.

Now let's consider another approach. You take $1,000 from your emergency fund to pay the bill. You avoid credit card interest entirely. Sure, your savings account takes a hit, but you've protected your financial future by avoiding unnecessary debt or credit dings.

And that's fantastic! In fact, it puts you in the perfect position to move forward without the weight of debt dragging you down, keeping you in a financially healthy place where you can focus on rebuilding (and then building more) instead of digging yourself out of a hole.

Let Your Emergency Fund Do What It Was Made For

So, we've now acknowledged that (1) emergency funds are meant to be used, (2) using them is financially smart and responsible, and (3) the biggest roadblock to this is often due to our emotional attachment to money.

Unfortunately, me telling you all of this isn't nearly as powerful as you believing it for yourself. So, let me share three simple steps to help you overcome the hesitation and give yourself permission to use your emergency fund the next time you need it. This is going to help you move past the fear and shame so you can start using your emergency fund for its intended purpose, guilt free.

How to Give Yourself Permission to Use Your Emergency Fund

1) Redefine "Security." Your emergency fund isn't about how untouched it is — it's about how effectively it protects you when it counts. Remind yourself that using it isn't a setback; it's a smart and intentional way to avoid bigger financial problems like debt or overdraft fees.

2) Run the Numbers. Before you hesitate, do a quick calculation: What's the financial cost of not using your emergency fund? If it means taking on debt with high interest or penalties, spending your savings will almost always leave you in a stronger position overall.

3) Plan for the Bounce-Back. Using your emergency fund isn't the end of the story — it's part of a cycle. Once the crisis passes, focus on rebuilding, whether through automated deposits, temporary budget shifts, or funneling extra income like bonuses or tax refunds. Knowing you have a clear plan to replenish your fund can take the guilt out of using it.

Using your emergency fund doesn't have to feel like a loss. It's an investment in your stability, your peace of mind, and your ability to handle life's surprises without falling behind. Because here's the truth: A healthy emergency fund isn't one that's always full — it's one that works when you need it.

And when you let it do its job, you're protecting your future self in the best possible way.