Free. No sign-up. No judgment.
Money tight this month? Let's find help you can use this week.
Plain answers about food, rent, power bills, medicine and extra cash. Real programs, real phone numbers, and what to say when you call.
Start with what's hardest right now
What do you need help with?
Tap one. You'll see what to do first and who to contact.
2-minute check
What might I qualify for?
Answer four questions. We compare your income to the 2026 federal poverty line, which most programs use. Nothing you type leaves this page.
When you can't pay everything
Pay these first. Then make one phone call.
Missing some bills hurts much more than missing others. Protect the roof over your head and the ways you earn money. Then call the rest before the due date. Most companies would rather set up a plan than chase you.
Rent or mortgage
Losing housing is the hardest thing to undo. Pay something, even if it's partial, and talk to your landlord.
Power, heat and water
Ask about payment plans and hardship programs. Many states limit shutoffs in winter or for medical needs.
Food and medicine
Use pantries and SNAP so your cash can go to bills that have no free option.
Getting to work
Car payment, insurance, gas or bus pass. Keeping your job keeps money coming in.
Everything else can wait a little
Credit cards, medical bills and most loans. Call them, explain, and ask for a lower payment. Don't pay these before the four above.
What to say when you call
Pick who you're calling. Read it out loud or copy it into a text or email.
Money you may already be owed
Check these before you borrow.
Earned Income Tax Credit
If you worked last year and your income was low to moderate, you may get money back even if you owe no tax. Many people who qualify never claim it.
Check on IRS.gov →Unclaimed money
Old paychecks, deposits and refunds end up with your state. Searching is free. Never pay anyone to find it for you.
Search MissingMoney.com →File your taxes for $0
IRS Free File is open to incomes of $89,000 or less. Free in-person help (VITA) is for incomes of $67,000 or less. IRS Direct File is not offered in 2026.
IRS Free File →Rebuild your credit
Better credit means lower rates, easier rentals and more options.
Most of this is free. Do these in order, and give it 6 to 12 months. Small, steady steps work.
Pull your reports
All three credit bureaus are free every week at AnnualCreditReport.com. It's the only official free site.
Get my reports →Fix mistakes
Wrong accounts, wrong balances or late marks you don't owe? Dispute them yourself. Bureaus generally must check within 30 days.
How to dispute →On time, every time
Set autopay for at least the minimum. Keep card balances under 30% of your limit, and under 10% if you can.
Add good history
No open accounts? A low-fee secured card or credit-builder loan reports your on-time payments every month.
Tools that can help with Step 4 · Partner links
Credit-builder account with a small monthly fee. Reports to the credit bureaus.
Credit-builder loan: you make small payments, build history, and get the money back at the end (minus fees and interest).
Secured card: your deposit sets your limit. Use it a little, pay it in full.
Before you sign up, check
- Low or no annual fee
- Reports to all three bureaus
- No pressure to borrow more than you need
- You can afford the monthly payment for a year
Free up money every month
Lower the bills that never go away.
Switch to prepaid
Prepaid plans on the same networks often cost far less than big-carrier plans. Mint Mobile is one option.
See plans →Compare car insurance
Rates for the same driver can vary a lot. Compare quotes once a year. Insurify shows several at once.
Compare quotes →Stop paying bank fees
Overdraft and monthly fees add up. Accounts like Chime have no monthly fees. Many credit unions are low-fee too.
Learn more →Lifeline discount
On SNAP, Medicaid or SSI? Get about $9.25 a month off phone or internet. No partner, just a good deal.
Check Lifeline →Make a plan you can stick to
See your debt-free date.
Type your pay, bills and debts once. The planner shows what's left each month, which bills to pay from which paycheck, and the fastest way out of debt. Works in Excel and Google Sheets.
- Everything in Budget Starter
- Debt-free date, 2 payoff methods
- 12-month credit rebuild tracker
- Dispute letter template
Having a hard month right now? The Hard Month Kit ($9) has 6 call scripts, a hardship letter and a bill priority worksheet you can print tonight. Always run out before payday? Try the Cash Envelope & Savings Challenge Kit ($8).
Instant download. Secure checkout by Payhip. Works in Excel and Google Sheets.
Free 60-second check
How much could you cut from your monthly bills?
Answer 4 quick questions about your phone, car insurance, bank fees and credit. We'll show what you could save and the free options first.
Help where you live
Programs and phone numbers for your state
Energy bill help, shutoff rules, rent help and who to call, checked October 2026.
Protect yourself
Scammers target people who are short on money.
Real help programs never charge a fee to apply. If something feels rushed or too good to be true, stop and check.
- "Pay a fee to get your grant or loan." Government grants and real lenders don't charge up front.
- "Act now or lose it." Pressure to decide today is the number one warning sign.
- Gift cards, crypto or wire transfers. No real program or company asks to be paid this way.
- Payday and car-title loans. Legal, but they can cost far more than they lend. Try a credit union, your employer or a nonprofit first.
- Someone asks for your login, PIN or SNAP card number. Never share them, even with "the government."