 TITLE: How to Change Your Budget in a Financial Emergency CONTENT: Tighten Your Budget\n-------------------\nDuring or ahead of a financial emergency, re-examine how you're spending money, no matter whether you're budgeting just for yourself or budgeting for a family.\nFirst and foremost, be sure you've got enough money for the basics, such as food, housing, medications and utilities. To squeeze the most out of your budget for the essentials, consider:\n*   Using coupon apps to score discounts on purchases. These deal apps include Coupons.com, Honey, Rakuten and RetailMeNot.\n*   Buying store-brand groceries rather than brand-name grocery items. Store-brand products might cost as much as 25% less than brand-name groceries.\n*   Asking your landlord whether you can get a break on your rent.\n*   Contacting your mortgage company about emergency assistance, such as mortgage forbearance.\n*   Reaching out to utility providers for help paying your bills.\nIt also might pay off to evaluate nonessential expenses. Here are some questions to ask:\n*   Can you get by without cable TV, at least temporarily?\n*   Can you get rid of some or all of your video streaming services?\n*   Are there any mobile apps you're paying for but rarely use?\n*   Do you really need that new pair of shoes right now?\n*   Is it possible to cancel upcoming trips without losing most of the money you've spent on airline tickets or hotel stays?\n*   Can you work out at home instead of at a gym? Since most gyms are temporarily shut down during the coronavirus pandemic, look at canceling your membership or putting it on hold.\n*   Can you cook at home instead of buying meals at restaurants? Fixing meals at home typically costs less than eating out, whether you're dining in, taking out or ordering delivery. END