When there isn’t enough money for every bill, the order you pay them in matters more than almost anything else.
Bill Priority Planner
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Enter the cash you have until your next paycheck and the bills that are due. The planner puts them in order (the bills that keep you housed, safe and able to work come first), shows how far your money goes, and tells you who to call about the rest and what to say. Nothing you enter is sent anywhere.
Which bills to pay first when money is short
- Food and basic needs for your household.
- Housing: rent or mortgage. Falling behind can lead to eviction or foreclosure, which is far harder to fix than a late card payment.
- Utilities: electricity, heat and water, which can be shut off after notices.
- Health coverage and prescriptions.
- Child care and transportation you need to keep working, including car insurance and the car payment if you drive to work.
- Phone and internet, which you need to job hunt and manage bills.
- Minimum payments on debts such as credit cards, personal loans, buy now, pay later plans and student loans.
- Everything else, like subscriptions, can be paused.
This is a general order. A shutoff notice, an eviction notice or a court date should move that bill to the top, and a federal student loan in a low income-driven plan may need little or nothing from you this month.
Call before you miss a payment
Most creditors don’t report a late payment to the credit bureaus until it’s at least 30 days past due (federal student loans: 90 days), and many have hardship plans, due-date changes or one-time deferrals. Those options are easier to get before an account is late. Keep the call short: say what you can pay now, when you can pay the rest, and ask what hardship options they offer. Write down the date, the person’s name and what was agreed.
Where to get help
- 211: call or text 211 to reach local programs for rent, utilities, food and other bills.
- LIHEAP: the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps with heating and cooling bills through your state’s office. State rules also limit utility shutoffs in some situations, such as extreme weather or medical needs.
- Your creditors and servicers: ask about hardship programs, payment plans and forbearance.
- Nonprofit credit counseling: a counselor can review your budget and debts for free or a low fee.
Frequently asked questions
Should I pay rent or my credit card first?
Rent, in almost every case. Missing rent can put your housing at risk, while a late credit card payment usually means a late fee and, after 30 days, a mark on your credit report. Call the card issuer and ask about a hardship program instead of skipping rent.
When does a late payment hurt my credit score?
Creditors generally report a payment as late once it’s 30 days past due; federal student loans at 90 days. A few days late usually means only a late fee. Once reported, a late payment can stay on your credit report for seven years.
Is a payday loan a good way to cover a short month?
Usually not. Payday and car title loans carry very high costs and short repayment periods, and many borrowers end up taking a second loan to repay the first. Payment plans, hardship programs and local assistance are almost always cheaper.
Can my utility shut off service if I can’t pay?
Yes, after the notices your state requires, but rules vary by state and many protect customers during extreme weather or when someone in the home has a serious medical condition. Call the utility to set up a payment arrangement and apply for LIHEAP.
Sources: USA.gov (help with energy bills), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (LIHEAP), Experian (when late payments are reported), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Checked November 2026. This planner is educational and isn’t financial or legal advice.
Related: Lost your job? Money checklist, How to prioritize debt repayments, What happens if you don’t pay a loan, How to build an emergency fund.