You're here because
something is urgent.

Behind on rent or bills

What to pay first, who to call, and how to buy time without making it worse.

Collectors are calling

Your rights under federal law, what they can and can't do, and how to respond.

Just lost my job

First 30 days: what to do about insurance, cash flow, and bills. →

Can't afford a medical bill

Negotiation scripts, payment plans, charity care, and what not to put on a credit card. →

Considering a payday loan

What it really costs (391% APR), every cheaper alternative, and how to break the cycle if you're already in one. →

Drowning in debt

The priority order when everything feels urgent. What to tackle first, what can wait. →

I think I got scammed

Red flags, what to do right now, and where to report it. →

Something feels off about financial advice I got

The red-flag checklist for evaluating any financial creator or advisor. →

Behind on rent or bills

When you can't cover everything this month, the order matters. Not all bills carry the same consequences for being late.

Priority order (highest consequence first)

1. Shelter. Rent or mortgage. Eviction proceedings start faster than you think. If you're behind, call the landlord or servicer before they call you, most will work out a payment plan before filing.
2. Utilities. Power, water, heat. Many states prohibit shutoffs during extreme weather. Call and ask about hardship programs, most utilities have them and don't advertise them.
3. Food. Apply for SNAP (food stamps) at fns.usda.gov/snap. Local food banks don't require proof of income. Dial 211 for local resources.
4. Health insurance. If you lost employer coverage, you have 60 days for COBRA or a Special Enrollment Period on healthcare.gov. Don't let coverage lapse without a plan.
5. Car payment (if you need the car for work). Repossession can happen faster than eviction.
6. Credit cards and unsecured debt. These go last. A late payment hurts your credit score but doesn't take your home or car. Minimum payments buy time.

Collectors are calling

You have rights. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) limits what collectors can do.

They cannot:

• Call before 8 AM or after 9 PM in your time zone
• Call your workplace if you tell them to stop
• Threaten violence, arrest, or jail (debt is civil, not criminal)
• Discuss your debt with anyone except you, your spouse, or your attorney
• Add unauthorized fees or interest not in the original agreement

What to do:

1. Ask for validation in writing. Within 30 days of first contact, send a written request for debt validation. They must prove you owe it before collecting further.
2. Check the statute of limitations. In most states, old debt (3-6 years) can't be sued for. Making a payment can restart the clock, don't pay anything until you know the timeline.
3. Send a cease-communication letter. Under FDCPA, once you send this in writing, they must stop calling. They can still sue, but they can't harass you.
4. File a complaint at consumerfinance.gov if they violate any of the above.

Tools for your situation

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