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Common Cents

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Bill calendar

Sometimes there's enough money for the month, but not on the right day. Rent might take most of one paycheck while the next one has room to spare.

Enter your paydays and your bills with their due dates. This shows which paycheck covers each bill and what's left from each one for food, gas, and everything else.

We filled in example numbers. Change them to match your situation.

My paydays this month

Paid every week or every 2 weeks? Enter the dates of this month's paychecks. Use your Take-home payThe money that actually reaches you after taxes and other deductions come out of your paycheck. Also called net pay.More in the glossary.

My paydays this month
Day of the monthTake-home amount
1$900
15$900
  1. Payday 1
  2. Payday 2

My bills

Add bills with a due date, like rent, utilities, phone, insurance, and loan payments.

My bills
BillAmountDue day of the month
Rent$8501
Phone$4510
Electric and gas$9018
Car insurance$12022
Credit card$3528
  1. Bill 1
  2. Bill 2
  3. Bill 3
  4. Bill 4
  5. Bill 5

Your results

Paychecks this month
$1,800
Bills this month
$1,140
Left after bills
$660

  1. Paycheck on the 1st: $900

    • Rent (due the 1st)$850
    • Phone (due the 10th)$45

    Left until the next payday: $5

  2. Paycheck on the 15th: $900

    • Electric and gas (due the 18th)$90
    • Car insurance (due the 22nd)$120
    • Credit card (due the 28th)$35

    Left until the next payday: $655

What this means

  • Each bill is paid from the last paycheck on or before its due date. A bill due before your first payday is paid from the month's last paycheck, ahead of time.
  • What's left from each paycheck has to cover food, gas, and other spending until the next payday, not just the bills listed here.
  • If a bill is due the same day you get paid, it might come out before your pay arrives. Leave a day or two of room when you can.

Behind on a bill? Call the company before the due date and ask about a payment plan. For help with rent or utilities, you can call or text 2-1-1 to find local programs.

Where to get free help

  • 211

    Call or text 2-1-1 for free, private help finding local programs for rent, utilities, food, and other bills.

  • Nonprofit credit counseling (NFCC)

    A certified credit counselor can go over your budget and debts with you, for free or at low cost.

Find free help with debt, taxes, bills, and more.