Behind on Bills

Behind on bills?
Start with one step.

Consumer Financial
Protection Bureau

Your Money,
Your Goals

Who is the CFPB?
The Consumer Financial
Protection Bureau works on
your behalf. We want you
to have the information you
need to make good financial
decisions for yourself and for
your family.

We’re here for you. We are a
government agency that was
created by Congress in 2010 in
response to the financial crisis.
We’re taking action. We work
to make sure banks, lenders,
and others operate fairly.
We’re committed to you. We
are committed to helping
people enjoy safer, better
financial lives.

Consumer Financial
Protection Bureau

Behind on bills?
When bills are piling up, it’s important to
remember that you’re still in control. The
small steps you choose to take can lead
to big changes.
We created this set of tools to fit your
needs, whether that means short-term
financial help, longer-term financial health,
or something in between. The tools are
designed to help you handle money
emergencies, cut down on stress from
mounting bills, and build your finances to
where you want them to be.
You can fix this; we can help.
Start with one step.
For more information, you can refer to
the full “Your Money, Your Goals” toolkit:
cfpb.gov/your-money-your-goals

YOUR MONEY, YOUR GOALS

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has
prepared this material as a resource for the public.
This material is provided for educational and
information purposes only. It is not a replacement for
the guidance or advice of an accountant, certified
financial advisor, or otherwise qualified professional.
The CFPB is not responsible for the advice or
actions of the individuals or entities from which you
received the CFPB educational materials. The CFPB’s
educational efforts are limited to the materials that
CFPB has prepared.
This tool may ask you to provide sensitive
information. The CFPB does not collect this
information and is not responsible for how your
information may be used if you provide it to others.
The CFPB recommends that you do not include
names, account numbers, or other sensitive
information and that users follow their organization’s
policies regarding personal information.

Where does
all my money
come from?

Where does
my money go?

INCOME
TRACKER

SPENDING
TRACKER

What is one
thing I want
to change?
GOAL
SETTING

8

Tools if you’re
behind on bills.

What are
all my bills
and when are
they due?
BILL
C A L E N DA R

How can I
get extra
money out of
my situation?
S H O R T-T E R M
S T R AT E G I E S

How do I
make tough
choices in
tight months?

How do I
respond to a
debt collector?

Who else
can I turn to
for help?

PRIORITIZING
BILLS

DEALING WITH
D E B T C O L L E C TO R S

RESOURCE
CARDS

YOUR MONEY, YOUR GOALS

INCOME TRACKER

Where does all my money
come from?

A step further
Is your income more or less than
you thought it was?

Does this feel like a typical month
for you?

Wondering about the
difference between net and
gross income?
Gross income is what you
earn before taxes or other
deductions are taken from your
pay. Net income is your gross
income minus taxes and other
deductions.

Additional resources
You may qualify for additional
benefits. Check here:
benefits.gov

This tool will help you:

What you’ll need:

§§ Get a total picture
of your income and
financial resources

** All your pay stubs and
benefits statements, and
records of electronic
payments from the month

§§ Remember when all your
funds are coming in
§§ Think about how to plan
your expenses to avoid
gaps in your ability to pay

Some examples of income:
any jobs, self-employment,
seasonal work (shoveling,
harvesting)
Some examples of
government program
benefits: Disability
insurance (SSI, SSDI), Social
Security, TANF, SNAP

Start with one
question:

How many sources of
income do you have?
YOUR MONEY, YOUR GOALS

Other types of income:
Child support, gifts, tax
refunds, help from family
or friends

Does seeing your income week
by week change how you think
about your spending?

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for obligations…

Utilities I can reduce…
If I don’t pay
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Use this income tracker to plan
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Utilities I can reduce…

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Habits I can

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Week 2

Week 3



Write in the names of any income
and benefits that apply to you.



Fill out the table with the amounts
you receive each week.




Total up each week’s income.
Circle the payments that come at a
predictable time and amount. This
will show you the income you can
count on each month.

Week 4

Week 5

SPENDING TRACKER

Where does my money go?

A step further
Are you spending money on items you don’t need?
Needs are things you can’t live without, like shelter, utilities, food,
clothing, and transportation. Needs may also include obligations:
things you have to pay, like debt, child support, alimony, and student
loans. Wants, however, are things you can choose to live without.

Needs

This tool will help you:

What you’ll need:

§§ Track your spending
for a month

** All your receipts and
bill statements from
the month

§§ Analyze your spending
by category
§§ Identify areas you might
cut back on
§§ Set a goal to keep you
on track

** Any online records of
your spending
** An envelope to keep
your receipts in
There are free apps
available to help you
track your spending
TIP:

Start with one question:

How much do you think you spent last month?

YOUR MONEY, YOUR GOALS

Wants

One want I will cut back on
next week:

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Primary job

Disability insurance

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help getting
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bank or debt collector
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 

Plans I can
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into the categories
forget
utilities
about bills you share with others.



At month’s end, total up each category.

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Housing &
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Things I can
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education
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Category totals:Entertainment
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Total spending for this month:

Donations & gifts

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BILL CALENDAR

What are all my bills
and when are they due?

A step further:
§§ Balancing act. Enter your weekly
income into the calendar to
compare with your weekly bill
totals.
§§ Other expenses. Don’t forget
things like birthday, holiday,
and school expenses, or bills
that are due every few months
or once a year.
§§ Top of mind. You can use this
calendar as a daily reminder—just
pin it up where you’ll see it!

One thing I’m going
to try next month:
This tool will help you:

What you’ll need:

§§ Get a total picture of
your monthly bills

** All your bill statements
from a single month

§§ Identify the weeks
when you have the most
money due

** Statements of any bills
that are online

§§ Plan how to pay your
bills on time and avoid
late fees
§§ Remember when your
bills are coming up

Some examples of bills:
utilities, rent or mortgage,
phone, memberships,
cable, credit cards, car
payments, student loans,
child support, insurance

Start with one question:

When you pay your bills on time, how do you feel?
YOUR MONEY, YOUR GOALS

Use this bill calendar to see all
your bills and when they’re due.



Label the calendar with the dates
of the month you want to plan for.




Make a list of all your bills.



Enter when you receive income
into the calendar.

For each bill, mark the payment
date: 7 days before the due date
for mail, 2 days before the due
date for online.

Month of
Bills:

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

GOAL SETTING

What is one thing I want
to change?

A step further
Create an action plan. Think about how long it will realistically take
you to reach your goal. Then, make an action plan and stick to it.
Don’t forget to list any resources that might help you. For example,
you might seek out information, tools and equipment, professional
assistance, a loan, or find transportation.

Step 1

Resources needed:

Date to complete:

Step 2

This tool will help you:

What to do:

Resources needed:

§§ Identify the things that
really matter to you

1. Pick a statement
that interests you

Step 3

§§ Work toward a future
that includes those
things

2. Write down your goal

§§ Track your progress

§§ Take pride in making
life better for you and
your family

3. Share your goal with
someone who will
hold you to it

Start with one question:

How have you helped someone else reach a goal?

YOUR MONEY, YOUR GOALS

Resources needed:

Date to complete:

Date to complete:

One thing
I’m proud of:

One promise One thing
to myself:
I’d like to
change:

One dream
I have for
myself:

Who can help me?

Date to complete:

SHORT-TERM STRATEGIES

How can I get extra money
out of my situation?

A step further
§§ Borrow DVDs and CDs for free at your local
public library.
TIP: Don’t forget to return them on time to avoid late fees.

§§ Maintain your car: Keeping up on oil changes and tire
pressure can save you money on fuel and repair costs.
§§ See if you can increase the deductible on your car
insurance to lower monthly payments.
§§ Pay parking tickets and other fines on time to avoid
additional charges.
§§ When buying groceries, check the price label for cost
per serving.
TIP: S
 ometimes

larger quantities don’t actually
save money.

§§ Consider restaurants with “Kids Eat Free” nights.
TIP:

This tool will help you:

Think about this:

§§ Earn more by taking on
work or charging for
services

If you run out of money
before the end of the
month, think about ways
you can increase income
and decrease spending.
This tool has prompts that
can put you on the path
toward more money in and
less money out. Share
options you’ve identified
with others in your household
and build your plan together.

§§ Get money quickly by
selling stuff or expanding
your benefits
§§ Spend better by
developing habits that
save you money
§§ Cut costs by avoiding
fees or canceling
memberships

Start with one question:

What’s something that people say you’re good at?

YOUR MONEY, YOUR GOALS

Make sure you know what each offer includes.

§§ Look for sales and coupons for things you need.
§§ Check to see if you qualify for weatherization
incentives or programs for your house.

By bringing in more money or resources and spending
less, I want to free up:

$

If I don’t pay for
job-related needs…

If I don’t pay
for insurance…

If I don’t pay for
Things I can sell… If I don’t paySkills I have…
to respond
housing
and utilities…
for obligations…
Ask a question

Be sure

 

Think about some ways
to bring in more money.

Things I can sell…

Skills I have…

Skills
I have

Things I can
charge for…

Be sure

Things I can

Programs I can
consider…
Need help finding
a job

Need help paying
utility bills

What do people count on
you for? Cooking, crafts,
yard work, a second
language, babysitting?

for insurance…

a job

Need help getting a
bank or debt collector
to respond

Primary job

Need help with
benefits

Government
program

Programs
I can consider

 
If I don’t pay for
job-related needs…

Groceries &
supplies

If I don’t pay
for insurance…

Transport

Do you qualify for public
housing or benefits (TANF,
Things I can
sell… Medicaid,
Skills LIHEAP)?
I have…
SNAP,

Personal care
Things I can
charge for…

to respond

Primary job

Disability insurance

Programs I can
consider…

Need help finding
a lawyer

Government

Need help with…

consider…

Financial support

Skills I have…

Childcare &
Primaryeducation
job
Plans I can
Groceries &
change…
supplies



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change…



Plans
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Financial support

Can you unplug appliances
when not using them? Can
you
set your thermostat
If I don’t pay
for obligations…
lower
during winter and
higher duringHabits
summer?
I can
change…

Habits
I can change

Eating out

Fees I can avoid…

consider…

for obligations…

Need help with…

Fees I can avoid…

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If I don’t
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pay
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housing and utilities…
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or online?

Fees I can avoid…

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program
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charge
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health
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housing and utilities…

debt and foreclosure

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Utilities I can reduce

Think about some ways to
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utility bills

Ask a question

Fees I can avoid…

Plans I can

Entertainment

Utilities I can reduce…

Habits I can

change…
Government
Disability insurancechange…
Financial support
Financial support
Donations & gifts
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What would you consider

“Lifeline” phone rate? Do
have memberships
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Utilities I can reduce…
you

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change…

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Housing &
utilities
Entertainment



PRIORITIZING BILLS

How do I make tough
choices in tight months?

A step further:
If you have to miss a payment,
try calling your creditors to tell
them why. You may be able to
make short-term arrangements.
For example, if you are in good
standing with your creditors,
they may be willing to forgive the
occasional fee.
If you find you’re often late with
a particular bill, negotiate a
new due date to better line it up
with the dates you receive income
or benefits.

This tool will help you:

What you’ll need:

§§ Understand what might
happen if you fall behind
on your obligations

** Bill statements and
overdue notices

§§ Assess the tradeoffs
in your situation
§§ Make a plan to pay
this month’s most
important bills

** Any letters from
creditors that threaten
possible eviction,
repossession, default,
or discontinuation of
service

Start with one question:

How do you decide which bill to pay first?

YOUR MONEY, YOUR GOALS

Timing matters. The consequences
for paying bills late can vary
depending on how late you are.
For example, utility and credit card
payments received within 30 days
of their due dates typically don’t
affect your credit report. After 60
days, however, your credit card
company may choose to raise the
interest rate on your balances,
which can make it take longer to
pay off what you owe.

One strategy is to rotate the bills
you pay each month. While not
ideal, this can prevent you from
losing your car or house, having
a utility shut off, or getting into
serious default on a loan.

Additional resources:
You may also wish to contact a
certified housing or a credit
counselor to help you build a
plan to pay your debts.

HUD Office of Housing
Counseling: 800.569.4287
National Foundation for Credit
Counseling: 800.388.2227



Take a breath

Resolve

 

Weigh the risk of not paying certain bills right now.

Need help finding
a job

If I don’t pay for
Need help dealing with
job-related needs…

debt and foreclosure

a lawyer

Ask a question
Need help finding
a lawyer

Need help dealing with
debt and foreclosure

Things I need to keep
or get a Things
job I can sell…

Need help with
benefits

If I don’t pay
If I don’t pay for
Need help finding
for insurance…
housing and utilities…

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If I don’t pay
for obligations…

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Resolve

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Skills I have…

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health care bills

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in most states
work—car payment, gas and
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health care bills
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utility bills
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charge for…
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If I don’t pay
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¨¨

¨¨

If I don’t pay for
housing and utilities…

Primary job

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 

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Things I need to stay housed
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supplies

¨¨ Utilities—gas, electric,
water, sewer
Habits I can
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¨¨

Personal care

Things I can sell…

Skills I have…
Donations & gifts

Entertainment
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

Financial support




If I don’t pay
for obligations…

Entertainment

¨¨

Tip: Consider any legal
Tip: The costs of losing a place
consequences for delaying
Government
Disability insurance
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payment, and remember that
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MISC.



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Pets

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Obligations I need to pay

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such as child support or
Programs I can
Plans
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Habits
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Utilities I can reduce…
¨¨ Court-ordered
If I don’t pay for
If I don’t payobligations If I don’t pay for
job-related needs…
for insurance…
housing and utilities…

Fees I can avoid…

Plans I can
change…

Habits I can
change…

If I don’t pay
for obligations…

Need help getting a
If I don’t pay
for obligations… bank or debt collector
to respond

If I don’t pay for
housing and utilities…

Plans I can
change…

Need help finding
a lawyer

Now prioritize your bills.

Fees I can avoid…
Financial support

Utilities I can reduce…



Ultimately, you’re responsible for all your bills.
If you can’t pay them all at once, think about the order you
Housing &
pay them in.
Plans I can
Habits I can
utilities
change…

change…

DEALING WITH DEBT COLLECTORS

How do I respond to a
debt collector?

Additional resources
Have more questions about debt
collection?
Visit Ask CFPB: cfpb.gov/askcfpb
Sample letters to debt collectors
can be found on the CFPB’s
website: cfpb.gov/askcfpb/1695/
Having an issue with debt
collection? Submit a complaint
with the CFPB: help.cfpb.gov/app/
debtcollection/ask#current
Need debt counseling? To find a
certified nonprofit credit counselor,
call National Foundation for Credit
Counseling: 800.388.2227

This tool will help you:

Know your rights:

§§ Take actions to verify
whether the claim is valid

A debt collector cannot:

§§ Know how to dispute
the claim if you do not
owe the debt
§§ Know what to do next
if you do owe the debt

§§ Call repeatedly to harass
or abuse you
§§ Use obscene language
§§ Threaten you to take
actions they can’t or
don’t really plan to take
§§ Publish your name for
not paying a debt

If a debt collector sues, be sure to
keep records and respond to any
court documents. If you can’t go to
court on the scheduled date, you
may want to find an attorney to
help you ask for a different date.
Need help finding a lawyer?
lawhelp.org and
lsc.gov/what-legal-aid/find-legal-aid

§§ Lie to you
If debt collectors harass you,
they may be violating the law.

Start with one
question:

Are debt collectors
contacting you?
YOUR MONEY, YOUR GOALS

Need to submit a
complaint?
cfpb.gov/complaint

This guide references third-party resources or content that consumers may find helpful. The inclusion of
links or references to third-party sites does not necessarily reflect the Bureau's endorsement of the thirdparty, the views expressed on the outside site, or products or services offered on the outside site. The
Bureau has not vetted these third-parties, their content, or any products or services they may offer. There
may be other possible entities or resources that are not listed that may also serve your needs.

Things I can sell…

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I already paid this debt in full or settled it.

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plan that will give you
more time to pay down
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§§ OR, pay the debt in full
and move on.
If the claim is not
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account number

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If the claim is legitimate,
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Be cautious. Don’t
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The amount is wrong.

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I want to dispute this debt because:

If a debt collector contacts you,
don’t ignore it!

RESOURCE CARDS

Who else can I turn to
for help?

A step further
Make sure you get unbiased information. It’s important to get
accurate, up-to-date information. Unbiased individuals and
organizations 1) do not try to sell you products and services, 2) do
not ask for payment up front, 3) are able to show you the impact any
actions you take may have on your financial situation.

Key questions for
additional resources: Y N

These resources may
help you:

What to do:

§§ Pay utility bills

1. Add any relevant local
resources

§§ Find a job or benefits
§§ Deal with debt

2. Photocopy and cut
into eight referral cards

§§ Get a response from
banks and debt
collectors

3. Keep the cards in your
wallet or a handy place

§§ Find a lawyer

§§ Explore health care
programs

Start with one question:

Is there anything else you're concerned about?
YOUR MONEY, YOUR GOALS

1. Does this individual
or organization earn
revenue by selling
financial products or
services?

* *

2. Does it require cash
up-front?

* *

3. Has the state Attorney
General’s Office or
Better Business Bureau,
or another entity taken
action against it?

* *

If the answer to 1, 2, or 3 is
“yes,” consider finding a different
source of information.

Y N
4. Can it provide
references?

* *

5. Will it provide
unbiased information
and not try to sell you
financial products or
services?

* *

6. Do you know anyone
personally whom it has
helped?

* *

If the answer to 4, 5, or 6 is
“no,” consider a different place
to seek information.

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For legal resources listed
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lawhelp.org

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For more information, service providers can refer
to the full “Your Money, Your Goals” toolkit online
at cfpb.gov/your-money-your-goals
If you’re having a problem with a bank
account, credit card, student loan, consumer loan,
or other financial products or services you can
submit a complaint with the CFPB at
cfpb.gov/complaint
For answers to commonly asked questions you
might have about other money matters, visit
“Ask CFPB” at cfpb.gov/askcfpb
Mail
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
P.O. Box 4503, Iowa City, IA 52244
Toll-free phone
855.411.2372
Monday–Friday
8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. (EST)
TTY/TDD phone
855.729.2372
Fax
855.237.2392

Consumer Financial
Protection Bureau