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Step 1
Look for flexibility. Let's say you have budgeted $200 for grocery bills for the month and $200 for your credit card payments. One month you spend $250 for groceries. If your credit card's required minimum payment is $150 or less, you can pay the credit card company $50 to make up for the shortfall your grocery bill created. Now you've balanced back to $400 between the two payments. Always pay at least the credit card minimum.
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Step 2
Stagger payments. If you're short one month, don't pay those utility bills that aren't due until the first week of the following month. Cover the shortfall in the following month by trimming some expenses. For instance, in the example in Step 1, you could put off paying a $50 phone bill until it is due the following month. During that month, cut your grocey bill by $12.50 a week to recoup the $50.
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Step 3
Pay less on credit card balances or cut down on your miscellaneous expenses for several months until your budget is balances again.
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Step 4
Lend yourself enough money to balance the budget. Take out the extra money you need from your bank account and then cut costs over the following month or two to replenish the "loan." Make sure you pay yourself back or your budget will remain unbalanced.
