Behind on Bills? Here’s What to Pay First (and 10 Things You Can Do Right Now)

This stat shocked me.

Nearly 1 in 5 American families with debt fell behind on a loan payment in the past year.

That stat comes from the Federal Reserve’s 2025 Survey of Consumer Finances, which came out in early October.

Of families with debt, 19.6% of them fell behind on at least one payment.

This is up from 12.2% back in 2022 and the highest percentage since 2010.

It’s getting worse for those who are really behind.

The percentage of families who were at least 60 days late jumped from 4.9% to 8.2%.

If you’re behind, you’re not alone.

And you have more options than it probably feels like right now.

But not all bills are not created equal.

Paying a credit card a few days late costs you a fee.

Missing rent or ignoring a shutoff notice can cost you your home or your electricity.

And a lot of companies have hardship programs they don’t advertise.

You just have to ask.

Here’s what I’d do.

Table of Contents1.

Figure Out Which Bills to Pay First2.

Call Your Credit Card Company Before You Miss a Payment3.

Know the 30-Day and 60-Day Credit Card Deadlines4.

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