Budget after a layoff: what did you cut first?

We are a household of 13 and need to cut costs quickly. Rent and the car are the biggest costs. Did any lender work with you?

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it last year, and it got easier once I kept a simple log of every call and form.

Ask your utility about hardship programmes. Mine knocked a bit off my bill for several months.