How to cover an emergency expense this week

A car repair, a medical bill, a deposit on a new place. When an expense lands this week, it’s tempting to grab the fastest money available. The fastest option is often the most expensive one, and sometimes you don’t need to borrow at all. Work through this list roughly in order.

Start with the bill itself

Before you borrow, call whoever you owe. Many billers would rather set up a plan than chase a missed payment.

• Medical bills: ask for an itemized bill and check it for errors. Nonprofit hospitals must have a written financial assistance policy, and you may qualify for a discount or free care. Ask for an interest-free payment plan.
• Utilities: ask about payment arrangements. Your state’s LIHEAP office may help with heating and cooling bills.
• Rent: ask your landlord for a short extension or to split the payment, and get the agreement in writing.
• Car repairs: ask the shop whether it offers a payment plan, and get a second quote if the bill is large.

A credit union payday alternative loan

Federal credit unions can offer payday alternative loans (PALs), small loans with costs capped by the National Credit Union Administration.

Not every credit union offers PALs, and each sets its own approval rules. If you’re not a member, check whether you’re eligible to join one through your employer, where you live or a family member.

An advance from your employer

Some employers offer paycheck advances or earned wage access through a payroll app. Read the terms. Some are free; others charge a fee per advance or a monthly subscription, which can add up to a high cost for a small amount.

A card with a 0% introductory APR

If you already have good credit, a card with a 0% introductory APR on purchases can spread a cost over several months without interest, as long as you pay it off before the offer ends. After that, the regular APR applies. For context, the Federal Reserve reported an average credit card plan rate of 21.19% for all accounts in August 2026. Be careful with store cards that offer deferred interest: if you don’t pay the full balance in time, they can charge interest back to the purchase date.

A personal loan

A personal loan gives you a lump sum with a fixed APR and fixed monthly payments. It can cost far less than a payday loan, but it’s not free. The APR depends on your credit and income, and some lenders deduct an origination fee from the money you receive. Some lenders fund as soon as the next business day after you’re approved and sign.

Before you accept, look at three numbers: the APR, the total you’ll repay and the amount you’ll actually receive after fees. The payment calculator shows all three.

What to avoid if you can

Payday loans and car title loans are fast, but expensive. The CFPB notes that a typical two-week payday loan with a fee of $15 for every $100 borrowed works out to an APR of almost 400%. Rolling a payday loan over adds a new fee each time. With a title loan, you can lose your car if you can’t repay.

Ask about hardship programs on debts you already have

Sometimes the easiest way to free up cash for an emergency is to lower a payment you already make. Many card issuers, auto lenders and student loan servicers have hardship programs that can reduce a payment, pause it or lower the interest rate for a few months. You usually have to ask. Call the number on your statement, explain what’s happened, and ask what options they have and how each one is reported to the credit bureaus.

A loan isn’t always the answer

If the expense is one you’ll struggle to repay over the next few months, borrowing can turn a hard week into a hard year. A nonprofit credit counselor can look at your whole budget for free or at low cost. Search for one through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, and check that any counselor you use is a nonprofit.