Whether money is tight or you’re facing hard economic times, knowing what to prioritize when it comes to your monthly bills is the key to staying afloat—and keeping a roof over your head. It’s also important to know when your bills are due so you can make sure you have the funds available to cover them. Use Brigit’s Upcoming Bills feature to help you stay on top of due dates and if you need to, set reminders in your calendar. Here’s how to prioritize your bills.
Housing
Make your mortgage or rent payment first each month. If you’re having trouble making your payments, check out this blog post. Insurance, taxes, and anything that could cause you to lose your home also fall into this category.
Utilities
Water, gas and electricity should be your next priorities. Reach out to your utility company if you’re having trouble making payments, they often have budget billing programs available. There are also easy things you can do at home to cut down on your utility bills, like switching to LED lights and unplugging electronics when not in use.
Your internet and phone bill should also be part of this group. If you’re having trouble paying them, look around for other providers or consider downgrading your service.
Food
This is the category with the most flexibility. You need food to survive, but there are plenty of ways to save at the grocery store if you need to adjust your monthly spending.
Car Payments & Insurance
If you need a car to get to work, make sure you prioritize your car payments and car insurance next. With Brigit, you can check out our marketplace to find the best deals on insurance or better rates to refinance your auto loan.
Child Support and/or Alimony
These payments are extremely important since there can be severe consequences for missing a payment.
Taxes & Federal Student Loans
Next up on the list are any tax payments to the IRS and federal student loan payments. The pause on federal student loan repayment has been extended one final time through December 31, 2022. You may also be eligible for loan debt cancellation under the recently released government plan. For more information, visit studentaid.gov.
Unsecured Debts
Last on the priority list should be any unsecured debts, including medical debt and credit card debt. Pay debts with the highest interest rate first and always try to make at least the minimum payment.
