You’ve been eyeing your 401k balance for a while, thinking about how much good that money could do for you in other aspects of your life. Seeing all the money just sitting there for the future when it could make your present situation a lot more pleasant can be mighty tempting.

But are there any circumstances in which you should go for it and raid your 401k?

Experts generally caution against borrowing against or cashing out any of your 401k, although there are a few experts who say it’s not a bad idea in some circumstances.

Here are some situations where you might want to consider breaking with tradition and taking a little out of your 401k.

Huge Credit Card Debt

Some people find themselves in over their heads when it comes to credit card debt. It’s not hard to do. It can seem to sneak up on you and before you know it, you’re wondering how you’re ever going to pay it all off.

If you’re the type who is never going to stop overspending, even if you do pay those cards off, you should leave your money in your 401k and find some other option for paying off that balance. Take out a second job, sell some possessions, or ask for a raise at work.

If you truly feel you’ve learned your lesson and you don’t see any other way out for you, borrowing from your 401k may make sense. That’s especially true if the APR you’re paying has reached epic proportions.

But whatever you do, if you borrow from your 401k, make sure you pay it back within the time allotted, or you’ll have to pay a penalty. And stop using those credit cards!

Your Credit Score Will Take a Hit

If you’ve lost your job or you’re having such difficulty making your monthly payments that it’s just a matter of time before your credit score takes a huge drop because of late payments, you may want to look into cashing out a little of your 401k. Try to take only the amount that you need to get by and leave the rest in there.

While you will pay a penalty for taking that money out early, it still may be less than you’ll have to pay over the long term for missed payment penalties from your debtors and from not qualifying for the best interest rates in the future because of your plunging credit score.

You’re in Danger of Losing Your Vehicle or Home

Unless you live in an urban area with public transportation or you live really close to your workplace, your car is essential to you. You need it to go to work, and without it, you won’t be able to keep your job. And you need a place to live as well.

So if you’re genuinely in danger of having the repo man come for your car or being kicked out of your home, take a hard look at your bills first. Cut out the cable and try to lower other expenses as much as you can. And if you still can’t afford to make that car payment, you may need to get a 401k loan while you try to come up with another solution.