Crisis & Survival Calculators
When money runs short, the first question isn't "how do I get ahead" — it's "what do I pay first, and what can wait?" These tools answer that in order of consequence: which bills cost you the most if they go unpaid, how long your money lasts, how to stretch what you have, and what assistance you may already qualify for. No judgment, no signup — just the survival math.
Start by finding your timeline: the income vs. lifestyle runway calculator shows how many months your money lasts at your current pace, and the next paycheck survival calculator tells you whether your balance reaches payday. Then triage: the skip-a-bill triage calculator ranks bills by what actually happens if each goes unpaid, and the partial payment optimizer stretches a limited amount across them to avoid the worst defaults. Cut to the real floor with the bare-bones budget calculator, avoid the trap that makes things worse with the payday loan cost calculator, and check the help you may already qualify for: the wage garnishment survival calculator, the SNAP pacer, and the medical debt charity care checker. Everything runs in your browser and is gone when you close the tab.
Behind on rent, utilities, or food? Dial 211 or visit 211.org to connect with local assistance. For free nonprofit credit counseling, see nfcc.org; to understand your rights against debt collectors, see consumerfinance.gov.
Calculators in this category
Income vs Lifestyle Runway
If you spend more than you earn, see how many months until your savings hit zero. If you earn more, see how long to build a 3-month emergency fund.Next Paycheck Survival Gauge
Divide your current checking balance by the days until your next paycheck to see your daily spending allowance.Bare Bones Budget Stripper
Strip your budget down to the absolute minimum. See what you really need to survive versus what you can cut.Payday Loan Rollover Simulator
See how much a payday loan costs after repeated rollovers. The fees add up fast.Emergency Skip-a-Bill Roulette
Rank your bills by consequence severity so you know which to pay first when you are short on cash.Partial Payment Optimizer
Distribute a small amount of cash across bills to keep the most important services active.Common questions
Which bills should I pay first when I can't pay them all?
Rank by consequence, not by who calls most. Housing and utilities come first — they keep you sheltered and warm. Food is next, then anything you need to earn income, like a car for work. Unsecured debts like credit cards and most medical bills come last; they hurt your credit but rarely cost you shelter immediately.
How much of my paycheck can be garnished?
For most consumer debts, federal law caps garnishment at 25% of your disposable (after-tax) income, or the amount your weekly pay exceeds 30 times the federal minimum wage — whichever is less. Some income, like Social Security and many benefits, is largely protected, and a few states limit or prohibit garnishment for consumer debt entirely.
Can a hospital forgive my medical bill?
Nonprofit hospitals are required to offer financial assistance, often called charity care, and many fully or partially forgive bills for patients under 200–400% of the Federal Poverty Level. You usually have to apply, and you can request it even after a bill reaches collections. Ask the hospital's billing office for its financial assistance policy.