If your budget is upside down and you’re behind on bills, the first step isn’t to panic — it’s to prioritize survival. You can’t fix everything at once, so you need to make sure the essentials are covered first.

Here’s what comes first (always):

1. Rent or Mortgage: Keeping a roof over your head comes before credit cards or car notes. Housing = survival.
2. Food (Groceries Only): You don’t need restaurants. Just enough real food to stay healthy and focused.
3. Minimum Utilities: Just the core — electricity, water, and heat. Not streaming, not your unlimited data plan.

Everything else — debt payments, subscriptions, even insurance in some cases — can wait or be negotiated.

This kind of survival-first budgeting isn’t just smart, it’s necessary when you’re broke and trying to regain control. For a full strategy on how to reset your budget without shame or spreadsheets, read the full guide:

How to Build a Realistic Budget When You’re Already Behind on Bills