Inside: 6 Effective tips to do right now so you can take back control and catch up on your bills. Ditch the shame to the curb!

What to do when you're behind on bills

Life happens. Sometimes you get behind on bills. The sense of shame and utter discouragement is almost enough to make you throw up your hands and give up.

But WAIT! 

There are 5 things you can do right now to take back control of your finances and catch up on your bills. 

1. Get on a written budget

You need to know exactly what is coming in and going out. 

The easiest budget method I've found is the Prioritized Budget. This makes it super easy to set up and easy to stick to each month. 

Once you have a written budget, it's time for Step #2. 

2. Take your budget down to the bare bones

Right now it's a matter of survival (and getting caught up on the bills).

Cut out EVERYTHING that isn't essential. 

This scorched earth budget isn't going to be permanent. It's just to create some room in your finances so you can breath and be able to catch up on your bills. 

If you've been trying to pay more down on the debt. Stop paying any extra than the minimums for now. 

Focus your attention on getting caught up. 

3. Pay your current bills

Keep paying the current bills with the money you have so you don't get any further behind. 

4. See how much you need

Ok, now that you've gotten on a written budget and cut out everything that you can. 

It may feel scary at first to look at the numbers of how much money you're behind in, but let me tell you something. 

Knowledge is power. When you know exactly how much you need to catch up and get current on your bills, you are taking back control. 

• Which bills (talking regular monthly expenses here, not any debts) are you behind in? List them out.
• What is the current balance of what you owe on each one?

5. Gather your arsenal 

Now that you have the specific amount you need to catch up on your bills, let's make a plan. 

• Do you have any savings or money that can be moved around to catch up this bill? 

Even if you had earmarked this money for something else, it might be time to dip into it so you can catch up. 

• Is there anything you can sell around your house to bring in some quick cash? 
• Can you find other ways to bring in some income? 

The goal is to get scrappy and find/earn as much money as you can as quickly as possible so you can get caught up AND get your family into a much better financial situation. 

6. Ask for help

If you've done everything you can to catch up and you're still struggling. 

Or if things out of your control have knocked you off your feet. 

There is ZERO shame in reaching out for assistance.

Call the company and see if they'll put you on payment plan or if they'll waive any charges. You don't know until you ask!

We pay taxes to help fund assistance programs that our city and local agencies run. 

Google 'utilities assistance for xxx city' or whatever your need is. 

The current status of your bank account or what your finances look like DOES NOT determine your worth or value. 

Nor does it determine what your financial future will look like. 

You have a choice. 

You can choose not to let circumstances or chance dictate how your finances are and will be. 

You can choose to take back control of your money and take action to create the financial future you dream of. 

One where all your bills are current. The debt is gone for good, and you have money in savings. 

Where you can enjoy life. 

This future isn't going to happen by accident.

You've got to take action. 

The best first step to do right now is to get your FREE Budget Worksheet 

Click here to download your FREE Budget worksheet {free download}

and walk through these 6 simple steps.

You can do it! 

Just think how GREAT it will feel when all of your bills are caught up and you can breath. 

Links mentioned in this video

Resources to help you overcome money struggles and gain financial peace

Your turn… Share how you've been able to get your bills caught up.