Here’s how to create your bare-bones budget. Ways a Bare-Bones Budget Helps When You’re in DebtIf you’re in debt, a bare-bones budget could help you free up cash for debt repayment. When to Stop Using a Bare-Bones BudgetYour current bare-bones budget doesn’t have to be a permanent spending plan. If you’re still struggling on a bare-bones budget, you might be a candidate for debt settlement. A bare minimum budget, or bare-bones budget, is a spending plan that covers only the necessities.