Short on money this month? Start here.
1. Find the gap
Add up what's coming in before the end of the month and what's due. The difference is your gap.
2. Protect the basics first
Housing, utilities, food, transportation to work, and needed medicine usually come first. Cover these before anything else.
3. Call before you miss a payment
Many lenders and utilities offer due-date changes, payment plans or hardship programs, and it's usually easier to ask before the due date. Write down who you talked to and what they agreed to.
4. Cut and pause
Pause subscriptions you can live without, and cancel any you don't use. Check for charges you didn't expect.
5. Look for help you qualify for
In most of the U.S., calling 211 or visiting 211.org connects you to local help with rent, utilities and food. For debt, a nonprofit credit counselor (look for an NFCC member agency at nfcc.org) can help.
Example data Made-up numbers: $1,400 coming in before month-end and $1,650 due means a $250 gap.
Try it in the Moneycapade web beta
When money is short, the web beta shows how far you are from break-even this month and steps to close the gap. It also points out subscriptions and charges to review.
Free: the Debt Snowball Tracker.
Join the waitlist at moneycapade.app.
General education, not financial advice. If you're about to lose housing or utilities, contact 211 or your local agency today.
The iPhone and Android apps aren't in the App Store or Google Play yet, and Premium isn't live yet. The free web beta runs in your browser.