It might be the rising cost of groceries, or perhaps you\u2019ve lost your job or have already been living paycheck-to-paycheck with no cushy emergency fund to fall back on. For whatever reason, suddenly this month you can\u2019t pay all your bills.<\/p>\n
You\u2019re scared, angry, worried and overwhelmed. What are you supposed to do right now? Which bills should you pay first and which ones can slide for a while?<\/p>\n
This is not easy. As bleak as things may look right now, you will come through this if you are diligent in following a few simple rules:<\/p>\n
ESSENTIAL EXPENSES<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a basic rule of thumb according to the Boston-based National Consumer Law Center in its book, \u201cSurviving Debt\u201d: Always pay essential expenses first. If any money is left, you can decide how to allocate that to nonessential obligations.<\/p>\n
An essential expense represents a serious obligation that if not paid could produce immediate, severe, even life-threatening consequences. Do not make payments on nonessential expenses and debt when you have not paid essential expenses even if your nonessential creditors are breathing down your neck with phone calls and threatening messages.<\/p>\n
I am not suggesting that you should just walk away from your financial obligations. You must pay your creditors; you must pay your bills. It is not ideal to let some of your bills slide, but your situation is what it is. Your resources are severely limited. For now, you need to know how to get through this month.<\/p>\n
— Basic food<\/p>\n
You need food. The consequences of not eating are severe! However, even though essential, keep your food expenses to the absolute, bare-bones minimum. You don\u2019t eat steak three times a week when you can\u2019t pay the water bill. Now is the time to pull in every tactic to feed your family on a shoestring.<\/p>\n
— Unavoidable medications<\/p>\n
You may be able to forgo nonessential \u201cmedications\u201d like food supplements, vitamins, etc. for now. But that blood pressure medication? Think severe consequences if you stop taking those life-preserving meds. You must cover the expense for essential medications.<\/p>\n
— Child support<\/p>\n
Paying court-ordered child support is absolutely essential. Not paying can land you in jail. You have no options here that allow for this expense to slide or to go unpaid.<\/p>\n
— Health insurance<\/p>\n
Keeping your health insurance active is essential. Not keeping your premiums current will result in cancellation. You dare not live without basic health insurance.<\/p>\n
— Rent or mortgage<\/p>\n
Always assume that your landlord or mortgage lender will immediately proceed to evict or foreclose if you are late with a payment. You must exercise extreme wisdom here.<\/p>\n
— Utilities<\/p>\n
Next, you should pay the minimum required to keep the heat, lights and water utility services. Your cable and internet bills are not essential utilities. You should probably cancel them for now. Temporarily use the computers at your local library if you need to be online.<\/p>\n
— Car payments<\/p>\n
If a car is necessary to keep your job, making the loan or lease payment is the next priority.<\/p>\n
— Other secured loans<\/p>\n
Beyond your home and car, debts on furniture, boats, RVs and expensive electronic gear are likely to be secured — that means the lender can repossess for nonpayment. While you are in the process of selling these items to get out from under the heavy debt load, you must keep current on all payments.<\/p>\n
— Unpaid taxes<\/p>\n
If the IRS is about to take your current or future paycheck, bank account, house or other property, you need to set up a repayment plan immediately.<\/p>\n
— Nonessential expenses<\/p>\n
A nonessential expense represents an obligation that if not paid right now might harm your credit score or require you to make a phone call making you feel embarrassed but will not result in a serious consequence right now. To delay paying on these gives a short period of time while you figure out what to do. It\u2019s not a pass.<\/p>\n
— Student loans<\/p>\n
Call your federal student loan administrator right away to discover any special deferments or waivers for which you may qualify. If yours are private loans, call that lender immediately! Perhaps you will have a similar kind of forbearance or deferment opportunity.<\/p>\n
— Credit cards<\/p>\n
If you fall behind on these debts you will trash your credit score, lose credit privileges, pay horrendous late fees and, if the debt is unusually high, you may be sued. But you won\u2019t lose your home. You can recover. The consequences will not be immediate.<\/p>\n
— Personal loans from friends and family<\/p>\n
You should feel a moral obligation to pay, but these creditors will likely be the most understanding of your situation. Don\u2019t hide. Do the right thing and contact this person immediately to set up a face-to-face meeting.<\/p>\n
— Medical, legal and accounting bills<\/p>\n
While these debts are real and will be paid eventually, they are rarely essential unless you are still receiving treatment.<\/p>\n
During this devastating time, don\u2019t allow your emotions to dictate how you distribute the money you have. Do not let your creditors set the agenda. Be courteous and respectful yet assertive. Do not make promises you cannot keep. Do not hide; do not lie. Above all, do not take your situation personally. And when your situation turns around (it will!), keep the promises you have made to your creditors, your family and yourself.<\/p>\n
Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com<\/a>, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at \u201cAsk Mary<\/a>.\u201d This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com<\/a>, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book \u201cDebt-Proof Living.\u201d<\/p>\n