A new water heater. A last-minute vacation. A reduction in hours at your job. We’ve all experienced an expected expense or event that upends the best-laid plans (and budgets).

If you’re facing a shortfall, you’re probably eyeing your emergency fund. Our decision tree can help you decide when to use emergency funds.

Bottom line: Use your emergency fund only for those expenses that are truly unexpected, unavoidable, or urgent, so when a financial emergency does arise, you’re prepared. If you do use some of your emergency fund, make a plan to rebuild it, too.