When you’re up to your eyeballs in debt, it’s easy to panic. You may even be getting calls from creditors, final notices in the mail, and your electric company saying they’ll be shutting off your electricity any day.
That’s scary stuff. But don’t let those creditors bully you into making something like a cable bill a priority.
Your family comes first. That’s why you need to make sure your priorities are in the right order. And those start with a little something we call the Four Walls. (The four walls of your home have to be protected first.)
If you can’t pay all of your bills and are having a hard time making ends meet, these Four Walls should be what you spend your money on first (and in this order):
- Food
- Utilities
- Shelter
- Transportation
First things first: food. You want to make sure your family has food in their bellies. Next? Keep the lights on, your water running, and then the roof over your head.

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And last, make sure you have a way to get to work. If you live in a big city, public transportation might be a great option. That will not only get you to and from work, but also save you money. If that's not an option, make sure you’re driving a car that you own. A junker car can get you to and from work just like a Lexus can.
Need help making a budget? Download our free budgeting app, EveryDollar, and start taking control of your money, instead of wondering where it went. You’ll be budgeting like a boss and paying off debt in no time.