When working towards financial goals

[thegooser]

And funneling all extra money towards that goal...

When something unexpected comes up, do you pull from savings and keep working towards the goal, or divert from the goal to keep savings intact?

I am $1200 from paying off my car. Had a few unexpected expenses this month. I charged wine to my CC today (no prior balances!) because I'm broke until payday. One. Paycheck. Away. From. Paying. Off. Car.

Meet the goal and replenish savings after, or paint the whole financial picture?

[thelongroad]

For something small I meet the goal first. I need that sense of accomplishment sometimes.

[Deleted]

leave your savings! it's too easy to get in trouble that way (feeling like you're meeting financial goals when you're really in the hole that month).

but congrats on being so close!

[Balki.Bartokomous]

We never pull from savings.

[chessie]

I only take from savings unless I really have to. So divert right now.

[vmars]

It depends on the expense. This month we had intruders in our backyard & with so many break-ins in our area we bought an alarm system. I had the money to pay for the alarm system and didn't think it was wise to wait until I saved that money again.

I also don't think there is anything wrong with using a credit card. I would rather charge my expenses, earn rewards and pay balance in full each month. This also gives your money a chance to earn more interest, albeit not a ton of interest in this economy.

[lys]

Divert from goal.