This is what I did when I had $14 in my account and five days until payday. I didn’t need a financial guru — I needed a triage plan.

When your balance is zero (or negative), your job isn’t to “budget.” It’s to survive the next 7 days with whatever you can gather. That might mean:

• Calling your utility company to ask for a one-week extension
• Selling something today for quick cash
• Meal planning around whatever’s already in your pantry

This is the $0 Budget. No guilt. No shame. Just a laser focus on getting through the week — and stacking your next paycheck smartly.

When you’re ready for the full system that starts here and builds upward, read this next:
How to Build a Realistic Budget When You’re Already Behind on Bills