Pay bills first or go grocery shopping?

[thtrngng]

Go grocery shopping, because you are going to pay your bills any way. I would let one or two of my bills  go unpaid before I starve.

[patti4me]

I always make sure my bills are paid first.  Then I know how much is left for grocery shopping.  We have a daughter that used to believe that you bought anything and everything you wanted first, then looked to see if anything was left for the bills.  After getting her utilities cut off a couple of times, and after getting counseled by us, she quit going shopping first and you know what?  Her utilities have not been cut off since!  Thank goodness!!

[lguzman1]

Yes. I do that all the time. I pay all of my bills first and whats left then we eat. Some month are better than other for eating. 

[ilovepatrick]

it the age old question do i eat my crops or do i plant it for next season? i tried it both ways but it like the saying "the best laid plans of mice and man" since you can not know what the future holds perhaps it best to do half and half

[camellia0]

I have 2 jobs. My main job is for bills and my part time job is for food and whatever else.

[gaylasue]

I pay our monthly bills after the 1st of the month when my husband's disability check goes in the bank.  My paycheck goes for food, medicine and incidentals during the rest of the month.  Needless-to-say, there is very little left over at the end of the month.

[yaayme]

I pay bills first and whatever is left I buy food with it...cause ya know, gotta get those bills out the way before they cut off your electricity and all of the food you bought goes bad in the frig.

[devideddi]

if they are gonna cut you off then pay the bill, other wise, eat

[monnee]

Definitely pay bills first so you don't get water, electricity, etc. shut off or become homeless. 

[6265AT99]

Have anyone ever paid bills first before grocery shopping or after?

Well, let's see the only "bills" that are really important are gas, electric and mortgage (if you have one) or rent.  Everything else comes 2nd after food for the family!!!!

[squirrelgirl44]

I don't have that many bills. House, car, insurance(s), water, electricity and cell phone. They are all necessities just like food so I pay them first..

[queenofnines]

You're not in a good position in life if you can't afford to do both, with money to spare.

[mauvourneen]

I guess, for budgeting purposes, I pay my bills first.  I like to take care of everything on the first of the month so it's out of the way I no longer have to worry about it.  I have a spread sheet for each month with my list of bills, how much money I make each month, and how much I will have left over when all of the bills are paid.  I subtract $100 from the amount I have left over, and that goes into a savings account.  I subtract another $150, and that is my grocery budget for the month.  My husband and I take turns buying groceries, and he also budgets $150.  By using the sales flyers and a lot of coupons, I usually spend about $50-$60/week.  Sometimes more, sometimes less.

What is left over after my bills/savings are taken care of is what I get to spend on myself.  I save my receipts, and I enter each into the spread sheet so I know exactly how much money I have left at any given time.  If I have any left over spending money at the end of the month, I transfer it to my savings.

If you are forced to choose between one or the other, I would suggest bills.  Paying your bills late, especially credit card debt and loans, can negatively affect your credit score, and your ability to purchase a new car, a house, or secure any type of personal loan.  Paying your utilities late (or not at all) can result in loosing said utilities.  If one is really strapped for cash and unable to buy food, there are resources out there.  I would do an internet search of local food banks, soup kitchens, and other services within your particular city.

[kroberts13]

i was always brought you to pay bills first,then grocery shopping cause if you dont pay your bills you may not electricity to the food to cook and no gas to cook the food you also need water to cook and take showers so i would pay bills first. just my suggest 

[kewl4reals]

Have anyone ever paid bills first before grocery shopping or after?

I think it depends on what bills  you are talking of, because electricity or food is a tough choice