🪫 Survival Mode: Getting Through the Worst
When every dollar counts, this is your playbook.
If you’re living out of your car, staying with someone temporarily, or trying to stretch $20 until Friday—this page is for you. No shame, no pity. Just solid, tested strategy to keep food in your stomach, a roof (any roof) over your head, and your phone turned on.
🥫 FOOD & BASICS: EAT TODAY, WORRY LESS TOMORROW
🍎Affordable, Calorie-Dense, No-Cook Food Options
What to grab when you don’t have a kitchen, microwave, or fridge. Includes tips for Dollar Tree, gas stations, and items with long shelf life and high calories per dollar.
🔗 Includes: printable food list
🛒 $25 Grocery List That Lasts 5 Days
Real-world grocery list for extreme weeks. Balanced for calories, protein, and shelf-stable items you can find almost anywhere.
🥫
🚗 MOBILITY & SLEEPING SAFELY WHEN YOU’RE UNSTABLE
🚙Start Here If You’re In Your Car
Living in your car with limited income? This gives you a full 3-month strategy for surviving without falling further behind. Covers shower access, where to park, how to use Tracfone points, and budgeting gas.
🔗 Includes: downloadable survival budget
🛏️Sleeping Safely When Unhoused
A must-read on how to stay safe and discreet if you’re sleeping in your vehicle. Strategy for choosing safe locations, staying under the radar, and reducing risk.
🧭Couch Surfing with Dignity
How to be a respectful guest, navigate house rules, and what you can offer in return when money is tight.
⛽ GAS, TRANSIT, AND STAYING MOBILE
⛽How to Stretch One Tank of Gas Over 2 Weeks
Tips for route planning, avoiding stop-and-go driving, and choosing errands that matter.
📲Gas Station Rewards & Apps That Work When You’re Broke
The best loyalty apps that give real cash or discounts without needing a credit card.
💡 UTILITIES & THE “WHICH BILL FIRST” STRATEGY
🧾How to Budget When You Have No Money
Breaks down the absolute basics: what a “bare bones” budget really looks like.
🔗 Includes: free printable template + calculator-style graphic
⏱️Behind but Not Broken – How to Catch Up on Bills & Stop the Spiral
Behind on rent or utilities? This walks you through what to prioritize, how to negotiate payment plans, and what not to pay yet.
🔗 Includes: Debt Snapshot worksheet + Catch-Up Calendar
⚖️Which Bills to Pay First When There’s Not Enough
Rent, car, phone, electric—what order makes the most sense and keeps you functioning?
🔄 Monthly Utilities Gameplan: Progress to Stability
🟩 Step 1: Know What You Owe
📋 Gather last month’s utility bills (electric, water, heat, phone).
Progress: ██████░░░░░░ (60%)
🟨 Step 2: Call Before You Panic
☎️ Contact each utility company and ask:
• “What happens if I can’t pay in full?”
• “Do you offer a payment plan or budget billing?”
Progress: ████████░░░ (80%)
🟥 Step 3: Decide What Comes First
⚖️ Use the “Which Bills First?” strategy:
• Prioritize essentials (heat in winter, phone if job searching)
• Delay bills that won’t shut off right away
Progress: ██████████░ (90%)
✅ Step 4: Make Your Plan for Next Month
🧮 Budget ahead with real numbers.
• If you can, overpay stable bills to buy time next month
• Save contact info and account #s for future calls
Progress: ███████████ (100%)
🎯 Bonus: Add these tools to your arsenal
• Printable Bill Tracker (LINK)
• Utility Budgeting Calendar (LINK)
• Cutoff Risk Chart (Coming Soon)
🛠️ SURVIVAL HACKS THAT ACTUALLY WORK
Icon Suggestion: 🛠️
💸Fast Cash Without a Loan – Micro Hustles Under $50 Start-Up
Things you can do today with no license, no car, and maybe just a prepaid phone.
📲Cash-Out Apps That Don’t Suck
Avoid the apps that take forever or charge you 25% in fees. This is a ranked list of the most legit instant-payout apps.
📥 TOOLS & DOWNLOADS TO HELP RIGHT NOW
✅ Bare Bones Budget Template
✅ 3-Month Survival Plan for Car Living
✅ Debt Catch-Up Calendar
✅ Calorie-Dense Food List
✅ Tracfone Rewards Explainer PDF
✅ Bill Negotiation Script Worksheet