Simple budget for a tight month after 9 years as a data-entry clerk

We are a household of 9 and the budget no longer works. It has been weighing on me all week. The rent is fixed and the car payment is high.

I called each lender and asked for a hardship plan. Two agreed to lower payments for a few months.

A paper list of bills by due date helped me more than an app. I could see the month at a glance.