Tax refunds, work bonuses, cash gifts, rebates and other unexpected money can give an emergency fund a sudden boost. Because this money isn't part of your regular budget, setting some of it aside often feels less painful than trimming everyday spending.

The challenge is that windfalls are easy to spend before you've decided what to do with them. It helps to make a plan ahead of time. For example, you might decide that a set portion of any unexpected money goes to savings, while the rest can be used for something you enjoy or to pay down debt.

When the money arrives, move your savings share right away, before it blends into your checking balance. Even a single windfall can sometimes take you most of the way to a first savings milestone. If you're carrying high-interest debt, you may want to balance building savings with paying it down, and a financial counselor can help you think through the right mix for your situation.