Try GOLD - Free
Best Sources of Emergency Cash
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
|January 2022
Even if you´re debtaverse, having a credit card to pay for emergencies could be an important lifeline

If you have an emergency fund, congratulations. But when emergencies pile up, should you drain the fund to cover every one of them? It’s a question I asked myself recently after I inherited a car from my mom. While having my own wheels has improved my life, the car has needed repairs that I didn’t plan on.
My emergency fund could have covered the work, but I would have been left without a backup fund to pay my rent if I lost my job. Fortunately, I had a credit card with a very low balance. Plus, it had a sufficiently high credit limit to cover the repairs without hurting my credit score.
Loans you can live with.
This story is from the January 2022 edition of Kiplinger's Personal Finance.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Your Protections With a P2P App
PEER-TO-PEER payment services such as Cash App, PayPal, Venmo and Zelle offer an easy way to transfer money to friends, family and businesses.
1 mins
October 2025

Kiplinger's Personal Finance
PROTECT YOUR SAVINGS IN TURBULENT TIMES
Don't let a shaky economy and volatile market derail your retirement. These moves will help ensure your money lasts as long as you do.
13 mins
October 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
PLAYING DEFENSE PAYS OFF
SOME bond market watchers say that high-yield bonds-those rated between double-B days.
1 mins
October 2025

Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Buy Now, Pay Later—With No Regrets
Extended payment plans can help ease the sting of a big-ticket purchase. But beware of costly missteps that can add to your price.
5 mins
October 2025

Kiplinger's Personal Finance
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT CHOOSING A TRUSTEE
Whoever you designate should act in the best interests of you and your beneficiaries.
2 mins
October 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance
HOW THE ONLINE BROKERS STACK UP
We scrutinized investment offerings, tools, mobile apps, advice and more to find the best broker for you.
16 mins
October 2025

Kiplinger's Personal Finance
You May Pay Extra to Share Your Streaming Subscription
IF you're among the majority of Americans who watch streaming services—83%, according to Pew Research Center—you may share your plan with family members who live both in and out of your home.
2 mins
October 2025

Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Over 50? Take These Steps When You Shop for Eyeglasses
Making a selection often gets trickier—and more expensive—as you age.
5 mins
October 2025

Kiplinger's Personal Finance
THESE CREDIT CARDS REWARD YOUR LOYALTY
If you have bank or investment accounts with your credit card issuer, you may qualify for extra cash back, waived fees and other benefits.
7 mins
October 2025

Kiplinger's Personal Finance
A Shopping Strategy That Reduces Waste
At this store, customers stock up on soap, laundry detergent and other household supplies with reusable containers.
2 mins
October 2025
Translate
Change font size