Money stress
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Step-by-step: your first 72 hours after a money shock

  1. Pause and breathe

    Big decisions made in panic are often expensive. Give yourself a few hours first.

  2. Check your accounts

    Write down exactly how much you have in checking, savings and cash.

  3. List the next 30 days of bills

    Put each bill, amount and due date in order.

  4. Mark the must-haves

    Circle housing, utilities, food, transportation and medicine.

  5. Apply for income help

    If you lost work, apply for unemployment the same week.

  6. Call 211

    Ask about food, rent and utility help in your area.

  7. Call your biggest bill first

    Ask your landlord, servicer or lender about hardship options before the due date.

  8. Pause nonessentials

    Cancel or pause subscriptions, memberships and automatic transfers you can live without.

  9. Protect your credit

    Ask creditors for written hardship agreements so payments are not reported as missed.

  10. Write a two-week plan

    Decide which money pays which bill for the next two paychecks.