A windfall can present its own set of financial challenges, especially if you’re not ready for it. It’s always a good idea to know who you can turn to for navigating some of the trickier and more nuanced areas of money management. Consider consulting with a financial planner or advisor, a tax professional or an attorney to help find the right balance of legal, estate and tax planning.

Though it may not be the most exciting option when you have a little extra money, it’s smart to make paying down high-interest debt like credit cards or personal loans a priority. Lowering or eliminating debt can free up money for your other financial goals and help improve your credit score.

Now is the perfect time to set aside some of this money for future emergencies, disasters or purchases that may not be part of your normal planning—things like a sudden need for a flight for a family event, a home repair or a surprise medical bill, to name a few. If you haven’t already started, building an emergency fund can bring greater financial security and peace of mind.

After you’ve saved for a rainy day and paid down debt, it’s time to make sure you have enough for retirement. It’s a good idea to max out contributions to your 401(k) plan or individual retirement account, better known as an IRA. Once you hit your savings targets for retirement, you might consider setting up an inheritance for your children or grandchildren—meaning they will eventually experience a windfall of their own.

Another way to handle a windfall is to invest it. With the right investment approach, you may have the potential to grow your windfall so that it can be used for your mid- to long-term financial goals, such as buying a home, saving for college or preparing for retirement.

The temptation to spend the money on something costly you’ve always wanted, but don’t necessarily need, will be tough to ignore, as the nature of a windfall is that it’s extra money you didn’t expect to receive. It’s okay to spend a small percentage to treat yourself or your family. However, the best way to handle a financial injection is to be thorough in your spending approach and target the future rather than the short term.