There is no day in the month when a family emergency is welcome, but having it coincide with the time your rent or other bills are due is especially inconvenient. Here are 4 tips to help you handle those family emergencies and the unexpected financial turmoil that can accompany them.

1. Buy only the essentials. When your family does experience a costly emergency, remember that this is a time for tightening the familial belt. Try to cut back on the little luxuries that can eat up so much of your money without your realizing it.

2. Make a budget and stick to it. After the emergency has happened, you may have hospital bills or other emergency-related payments you will need to make. If you didn’t have a household budget beforehand, you will need to make a budget and stick to it. Include these new bills in the budget.

3. Ask friends for help. If you have friends who might be able to help you out temporarily, consider asking for their help. Think carefully about this option, however, as money troubles can ruin a friendship. Use these tips when asking a friend for money.

4. Consider getting a loan. The idea of borrowing money can sound daunting, but there are actually many viable options to make the process less painful which can help get you out of the financial trouble your family emergency has put you in. Look for installment loans online that can meet your needs without giving you more troubles.

While dealing with a family emergency is taxing, handling the financial aftermath does not have to be. You have options, and you will be able to make it through the tough times.