Money Tight Triage Tool

Your hours got cut this month. You have $640 in your account and $1,380 in bills coming due over the next 10 days. You cannot pay everything. Decide what to do with each bill, in order.

Cash Available
$640
Bills Remaining
$1,380
Paid in Full
$0
Negotiated
0
At Risk
0
Bill 1 of 6 Smart triage calls: 0
Your Triage DecisionsOutcome
No decisions yet - start with the first bill above.
Your 10-day triage outcome
Cash left
Bills handled
Smart calls
The Correct Triage Order - Memorize This
1Housing & utilities - keep the roof over your head and the lights on
2Secured debt (car loan) - losing the car often means losing the job
3Food & essential transportation - gas, groceries, basic needs
4Insurance - a lapse can cost far more than the premium itself
5Minimum payments on unsecured debt - credit cards, personal loans
6Everything else - subscriptions, non-essential spending, pause it

Who to Call - In This Order

  • Your lender or landlord first - many have more options if you call before missing a payment
  • Pioneer AFCU - ask about Skip-a-Pay on eligible loans or other available options
  • 211 - connects you to local emergency assistance for rent, utilities, and food
  • Credit counseling (NFCC.org) - free, nonprofit guidance if debt feels unmanageable
  • Never ignore calls or letters - silence almost always makes the outcome worse
Pioneer Appalachia Federal Credit Union
People Helping People | Building Brighter Futures

If Money Is Tight Right Now

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