Dining Room Table Podcast

If you can't pay all of your bills and are having a hard time making ends meet, these Four Walls should be what you spend your money on first (and in
this order):

1. Food
2. Utilities
3. Shelter
4. Transportation

Then, if you have money left over, prioritize the rest of your expenses after those first four are taken care of.

I call these budget categories the "Four Walls.” Focus on taking care of these FIRST, and in this specific order... especially if you're going through a tough financial season.

Cover utilities before you pay your rent or mortgage. This is because in most cases, your lights or water risk being shut off before you'd be evicted or foreclosed on.

During a tough time, you've got to prioritize your expenses. Don't ever pay a debt before you buy food. Pause paying extra on debts and save money while you weather the financial storm. Once your income stabilizes, you can resume working the 7 Baby Steps.

Always remember that there's a light at the end of the tunnel, and you DO have what it takes to get to the other side of whatever situation you're facing.

—Dave Ramsey