When you’re broke, every dollar becomes a lifeline. There’s a constant tug-of-war between urgent needs and looming bills, and it can feel like there’s no right answer. But the truth is, not all bills are created equal, and paying some of them when you’re already strapped for cash can lead to even worse financial consequences.
That’s why one of the smartest things you can do when money is tight isn’t just about earning more. It’s about knowing what not to pay. In fact, deliberately skipping or delaying certain bills can help you avoid bigger penalties, protect your future, and give you breathing room to regroup.
If you’re down to your last few dollars, here are eight bills you should never prioritize and why holding off may be your smartest financial move.
1. Credit Cards With No Collateral Tied to Them
Credit card companies are some of the loudest debt collectors, but they’re also the least dangerous in the short term. Unlike a mortgage lender or car loan provider, credit card companies can’t immediately repossess your home or vehicle. So if you’re broke, paying them should not be your top priority.
That doesn’t mean you ignore them forever—interest and fees will still rack up—but when your basic needs like food, shelter, and transportation are on the line, unsecured credit cards need to take a back seat. Late payments will ding your credit, but that’s a recoverable hit. Losing your housing or job transportation isn’t.
2. Gym Memberships, Subscription Boxes, and Streaming Services
It may seem obvious, but recurring lifestyle subscriptions can quietly siphon off $100 or more each month. Gym memberships, digital music platforms, monthly subscription boxes, meditation apps, fitness programs—these are luxuries masquerading as “affordable essentials.”
If you’re broke, these types of bills should be the first to go. Most streaming services and memberships make it intentionally difficult to cancel, so you may need to comb through your bank or credit card statements to identify them. Pause or cancel them all, especially any with auto-renewal features. It may feel like giving up your last source of entertainment, but your budget needs to go into survival mode.
3. Student Loans During a Hardship
Federal student loans often come with built-in hardship deferment or forbearance options. If you’re facing unemployment or severe financial hardship, there’s no reason to continue making student loan payments when you could qualify to temporarily pause them without penalty.
Don’t let shame or pride keep you from applying for deferment. Contact your loan servicer and ask what options are available. Federal protections exist for a reason, and taking advantage of them when you’re broke isn’t weakness, it’s financial strategy. Private student loans may be trickier, but even those lenders may offer temporary relief if you call and ask.
4. Medical Bills With No Interest
Many people don’t realize that medical bills often don’t accrue interest the same way credit cards or loans do. Hospitals and clinics are usually more flexible with payment plans, and you may even qualify for financial aid or sliding-scale adjustments based on income.
Don’t rush to pay a $1,000 hospital bill if you don’t have food in the fridge. Call the billing department, explain your situation, and request a payment plan or financial assistance. Most providers would rather get paid slowly than not at all, and they’re far less aggressive than credit card companies or landlords.
Also, unpaid medical bills typically don’t get reported to credit bureaus for at least 12 months under new guidelines, giving you more time to stabilize your situation.
5. Collections Accounts Already on Your Credit Report
Once a debt has been sent to collections and reported to your credit report, the damage is already done. Paying it off may slightly improve your credit score over time, but if you’re flat broke, it’s not the fire to put out right now.
Focus instead on the bills that can still affect your living situation or access to essential services, like rent, utilities, or your phone bill. Collection agencies may call and send letters, but they can’t evict you, shut off your water, or tow your car. That means they can wait.
Later, once you’re more stable, you can negotiate a lower payoff amount or a payment plan to settle those balances on your terms.
6. Back Taxes Without Talking to the IRS First
Owing the IRS is serious, but sending money blindly when you can’t afford it is a mistake. The IRS actually has programs in place for people in financial hardship, including payment plans and even temporary “currently not collectible” status.
If you’re truly broke, you may qualify to delay payments without accruing additional penalties. But you must contact the IRS and file your taxes—even if you can’t pay. Ignoring them entirely is where the real danger starts.
A short phone call or completed form can buy you time and protect you from wage garnishment or bank levies, which can destroy your fragile budget.
7. Store Credit Cards and Buy-Now-Pay-Later Apps
Retail credit cards and buy-now-pay-later services like Klarna, Afterpay, and Affirm might be marketed as flexible, but they can quickly become toxic if you’re living paycheck to paycheck.
Because these companies often partner directly with retailers, they’re aggressive with late fees and can eventually report missed payments to credit bureaus. But if you’re choosing between paying them or keeping your utilities on, it’s not even a contest.
Letting a store card payment slide or missing a BNPL installment might hurt your score, but it won’t kick you out of your apartment or prevent you from commuting to work. Pay them later, if at all.
8. Life Insurance Premiums on Non-Essential Policies
If you’re paying into multiple life insurance policies and you’re broke, it’s time to evaluate whether those premiums are worth the cost right now. Term policies with low premiums may be worth keeping, but whole life or supplemental policies with high monthly costs might need to be paused or canceled.
Before canceling, call the insurance provider and ask about a premium holiday or temporary suspension. You may also have the option to borrow against the cash value if it’s a whole life policy.
In a crisis, every dollar counts. If the choice is between paying for a life insurance policy and keeping your heat on, survival comes first.
Reprioritize to Protect What Matters Most
Being broke forces tough choices, but those choices shouldn’t come from fear or habit. They should come from knowledge. Knowing which bills can be delayed, negotiated, or ignored (at least temporarily) helps you keep control during chaos.
It’s about financial triage—prioritizing your immediate physical needs (housing, food, transportation) over long-term or unsecured obligations. Not every bill has the power to throw your life off track. Some just sound louder than others. This isn’t about irresponsibility. It’s about keeping yourself afloat until you can rebuild.
Which Bills Do You Regret Prioritizing Too Soon?
Have you ever paid a bill you wish you’d delayed and suffered for it? Or figured out a system that helps you stay afloat during tight months? Let’s compare notes. What survival strategies have actually worked for you?
Read More:
10 Bills That Middle-Class Americans Can No Longer Afford
How to Save Money on Bills You Didn’t Even Know You Could Negotiate
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