Too many bills, not enough money, and no idea where to start

I feel like I am drowning in bills. What do I do first?

Put every bill on one page: who it is to, how much, and when it is due. Then pay the ones that keep a roof over you, the lights on and you able to get to work, before anything else. Seeing it all in one place usually feels better than not looking, even when the total is large.

Get it all on one page

Open every envelope and every account. Write each bill down with the amount and the due date. It is hard to do, and it is the step that turns a flood into a list you can work through.

Pay the essentials first

Housing, utilities, food, and whatever gets you to work come first. These are the bills where falling behind causes the most harm. Credit cards come after.

Call before you miss a payment

Many lenders, utilities and landlords will lower a payment or give you more time if you are struggling, but you usually have to ask. Calling early is a much stronger position than being chased later.

Find one bill you can shrink

An insurance policy you can shop around, a phone plan you can lower, a subscription you can stop. One smaller monthly bill makes every month after it a little easier.

Get free help with the debt

A nonprofit credit counsellor can look at everything you owe for free or at low cost and may be able to set up one lower payment. Be careful of companies that charge large fees upfront.

Questions people ask next

Should I pay a little on everything or a lot on one?

Pay the essentials in full first, then at least the minimum on everything else so accounts stay current. Any extra goes to the most expensive debt.

What if I cannot even pay the minimums?

Call the lenders before the due date and ask what help they offer when someone is struggling, or talk to a nonprofit credit counsellor. Missing payments in silence is the most expensive way through.

The stress is getting to me. Where can I turn?

Money stress is real and it affects sleep and health. A doctor is worth talking to. If you ever feel you cannot go on, in Canada and the US you can call or text 988, and findahelpline.com lists a service in most countries.

If this is your situation

Run it against your own numbers

Everything above is the shape of the decision. What it cannot do is use your figures. You narrow four ways out to the one that fits you, then turn it into three moves in the order they work: free, and yours to keep.

Show me which way

Free. No card, and no account to begin.

This is general information about how these decisions work, not financial, legal or tax advice. Check the numbers against your own situation before you act.