[Manning]

I learned this years ago and it works. When there is not enough money to pay everything, make a budget. Start with your real needs, like food and gasoline. Budget enough money for them. Then, list the bills, like phone and electric, that have to be paid. Lastly, list the rest of the bills and divide the money that is left between them, except for the one that is the least and pay the full amount of that one.

Of course before making the budget, cancel anything that you don't really need, like cable T.V. to reduce your bills as much as possible. When you budget for food, don't budget for things like steaks and eating out. Don't make needless trips to the store. Buy what you need while you are already there. In short, save money on everything you can.

Doing that really helps and you'll be amazed at how quickly you make progress in getting the money situation under control on less money than you are used to having.

[KitchenKing]

And what happens if you do make a budget and list everything but it turns out that you still don't have enough money to pay the bills?

[AntiDirtSquad]

That's the problem now. Groceries have raised at least five cents per item and it's really making a difference. We have started buying in bulk and it's much better even if you have to split with another family. If you go to work, you have to buy gas and it's outrageous. The attorney general in our state is investigating a major company here for price gouging since we had the flood. I think it's about time too!

[webhouse]

Originally Posted by KitchenKing

And what happens if you do make a budget and list everything but it turns out that you still don't have enough money to pay the bills?

Yeah, that really happens and in that case, I think the only way is making more money. Be creative. There are many money making opportunities both online and offline you can try.

[Manning]

And what happens if you do make a budget and list everything but it turns out that you still don't have enough money to pay the bills?

You start with the amount of money you have each week and divide it up the best you can. If it's not enough to pay all the bills, you pay the most important ones.

I think the only way is making more money. Be creative. There are many money making opportunities both online and offline you can try.

Making more money certainly will make things better. Sacrifices might have to be made, like working two jobs, but it will be worth it.

[Casa]

I always make a budget and I try hard to stick to the budget and not to overspend. It takes a lot of discipline and control to not buy an item at a department store that I really like...And yes, I've been also finding ways, online and offline, to earn extra income.

[tips4u]

There are a lot of ways to make money stretch, but it does seem like it's getting harder to stretch it with prices going up like they are. You can eat less costly food, cut out all unnecessary expenses. limit unnecessary trips in a vehicle. When there is less money or more expenses, you cut out anything that is not necessary. Dave Ramsey is a great source of information on this.

[wreckedmess]

I really do not get why this is a last resort. If you can budget from the start between your needs and your wants, you can always still be thrifty and end up with more wants in the end (with less stress).

[smithhouse]

I would think it would be hard to make it without a budget. We have a pretty strict budget for food, but have a fund in case we need it. There are a lot of ways to make a little extra cash out there.

[AntiDirtSquad]

We did cut out cable TV completely. We went with a different phone company and we got the cheapest package for phone and internet. Now we watch TV over the internet with a Roku. It saved us a ton of money.