Real Answers for Life’s Money Challenges
I lost my job mid-April.
After applying to nearly 100 jobs and interviewing for more than a dozen positions, Ive finally been hired.
Ill start working the last week of September.
My problem is that Im behind on a lot of bills from being out of work for five months.
I didnt have much savings because I was focused on getting out of debt.
When the extra $600 a week for unemployment ended, I started getting behind on everything.
I wasnt able to pay Septembers rent.
My apartment complex keeps calling and leaving notices on my door.
I wont be able to pay on Oct. 1, because I wont get paid until the 15th.
How do I catch up?
-Buried by Bills
Dear Buried,
Youve just made it through what sounds like an exhausting job search.
You feel buried right now, and thats understandable.
But youve already started to dig your way out.
In some cases, it may be nothing.
you’re able to only stretch a paycheck so far.
Most Americans livedpaycheck to paycheckeven when times were good.
No Interest Til Almost 2027?
Ultimately, Id prioritize catching up on rent above everything else.
The next thing to do istalk to your apartment complex manager and I get it.
Apartment complexes are notoriously difficult to deal with.
Or maybe you could tack on a little extra to each months rent?
You dont say whether yourcredit card hardship agreementsare still in effect.
The goal here is to buy yourself a little extra time.
The reality is, though, that you may not be able to afford your credit card payments.
Yes, your credit score will plummet if you dont pay your credit cards.
None of this will be easy.
But neither was applying for 100 jobs or sitting through a dozen interviews.
Robin Hartill is a certified financial planner and a senior editor at The Penny Hoarder.
Send your tricky money questions to[email protected].
Probably not as good as youd like.
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
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