During unemployment
Much has been said about the state of the economy and the jobless rates around the country now. If you find yourself downsized or unable to find a job, your savings can carry you over and help you pay your bills until you can find a job and a steady source of money coming in.

Medical emergencies
The main cause of bankruptcies in the United States is a result of medical bills. A chronic serious illness or bad accident can deplete savings and put families in financial ruin if they didn't have savings in the first place. If you find yourself with medical bills and no insurance, or bills and the inability to pay or qualify for payment plans, it is a good idea to dip into your savings to start paying your medical bills.

Unexpected expenses
Sometimes, expenses you didn't budget pop up. This could be anything from having to pay for a child's wedding to expensive repairs to your vehicle. In cases like this, it's good to have a savings account to fall back on and it is perfectly acceptable to use your savings to cover these unexpected expenses - after all, that's why you have it.

Replenishing your savings
If you find that you have used your savings up or it is at a level that is too low for your comfort, the following tips will help you to replenish your savings in the event that you will need it again:

• Budget for savings. If your savings has gotten too low, set aside a certain amount of money that will go directly into your savings. This should be done even if things are tight now; if necessary, you might want to skimp in other areas, like cancelling cable for a little while and putting that money into savings, or not eating out as much.
• Take a side job. If you are stressed out about your savings account, it's not a bad idea to take on a side job or part-time job for a little while. Put all of your earnings into your savings account, and then stop working once you feel comfortable with the level of your savings account again.

If you find that you can't meet your bills each month without dipping into your savings, then you will need to rework your budget and cut expenses where possible, whether it's making small changes or larger ones, like getting a less expensive car or cancelling luxuries like cable and internet. Using your savings to pay your bills when you already have a job is dangerous and indicates you're living a lifestyle you probably can't afford.

A savings account is an important thing to have in the event of any kind of financial emergency, whether it's medical bills or something unexpected. Make sure you replenish your savings after you use it, and you will always have money in a pinch.