Four Walls

If you get to the end of the month and you have more bills than money, how do you decide which ones get paid and which ones wait?

Do you shuffle and pay the little ones first so that "more" bills get paid? Or, do you have a better method?

I would propose to you that you ALWAYS take care of your four walls - FIRST! Food, Clothing, Shelter and Transportation! Everything else can wait a month if it has to!

Food is a necessity. I didn't say "eating out at restaurants" but FOOD! Make a plan before you head into the grocery store and buy necessary items.

Pay your housepayment (without exception!) and all bills associated with keeping your home (water, gas, electric). Notice that this listing did not include cable TV or Dish! TV is not a necessary item - even though some of us can not live without TV! If needed, Pay-For-TV has to be cut and eliminated for a while in order to get back on your feet.

Transportation is next on the list. Make your Car Payments and pay all bills associated with keeping the car running (ie., Gasoline!) This is a priority because you need it to get back and forth to work OR to look for more work!

Clothing is last on the list. Gently used clothing is OK for a while. I have some nice things that my wife picked up at Goodwill or at the Thrift Store.

Cell Phones, Land Lines, Credit Cards, Pay-For-TV are all on the "Secondary" list and should be canceled or eliminated in order to balance the budget. I know it is hard but you have to survive and making sure that your "Four Walls" are maintained is the best way to prioritize your budget!