While waiting for my husband to meet me for brunch today, I read Sharon Epperson's article in PARADE * April 12th * What to do if you can't pay the bills...
http://www.usaweekend.com/09_issues/090412/090412thinksmart-money-pay-bills.html
Under "What Should You Pay First?"....she mentions paying the mortgage and RENT!~! WOW!!! How UNIQUE!!!
While this makes sense, so many financial gurus mention car payments (so they can find employment or get to work), and food on the table....my response has always been - take the bus so you can have a place to PUT THE TABLE, I am so glad this concept has taken root somewhere.
In the past, during economic downturns, may people were actually advised to get evicted as it would put them at the head of the list to get subsidized housing, food stamps and housing grants. I've never advocated this approach and I realized it provided some assistance to residents who were struggling.
Cruising between Fox News and MSNBC, I actually saw where Dave Ramsey indicated debtors in financial peril should pay the rent well down their list of payment priorities.
Even though it is the BIGGEST bill most people have per month, that just means they should budget better for its payment. As Epperson's article suggests, paying credit card balances just stops the phone from ringing; however, not paying the rent actually removes the problem also as there will be no place for the phone to ring!!! Prioritizing payments is IMPERATIVE and paying the RENT should be at the TOP OF THE LIST.
Kudos!!! A financial writer gets it!!!
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM * GIBSON MANAGEMENT GROUP, Ltd.
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Hi Wallace -- Sound advice.
Chris - I just wanted to acknowledge when "fourth estate" gets is correct!!