 TITLE: How to Manage Credit Card Debt If You’re Unemployed CONTENT: Create a Monthly Budget\n-----------------------\nWhile unemployed, make a budget that you'll stick to. This can help you spend as little as possible while ensuring you meet your monthly obligations. Here's how:\n*   First, list all your expenses by category, such as housing, utility bills, groceries, meals out and personal care. Include all your regular fixed expenses as well as discretionary spending.\n*   Determine your take-home income. This may be your unemployment pay or your spouse's income if you don't have any source of income during unemployment.\n*   Decide how much of your income to put toward each category—perhaps by using a strategy like the 50\/30\/20 rule, which recommends spending no more than 50% of your income on necessities, 30% on wants and 20% on savings and debt payoff.\n*   Identify categories where you can cut back. It's likely hard to change your housing payment in the short term, for instance, but perhaps you can limit spending on meals out or subscription services.\n*   Track your spending to ensure you keep it within the limits you've set. Recalibrate if your goals were unrealistic or your budget in certain categories was too restrictive.\nOnce your situation changes and you are getting a regular paycheck again, don't abandon your budget. Rework it taking your new situation into account, and stick to it. Adhering to a budget is one of the best ways to avoid overspending and reach your goals. END