I was incredibly ill back in November, spent a week in the hospital out of the blue. It was a horrible illness and I nearly lost my life. I am a teacher and make $61K a year. My rent is low ($1800/month) thank goodness. I was on disability for 3 months after my illness, and wasn't making any money during that time. I had a very hard time getting state disability to pay me when I was owed. I had $50K in retirement, after taxes and penalties it was about $30K or so? I started withdrawing from that to make ends meet, and it became easier and easier to take a few thousand out to get me through to the next month. I realized last week that I had to withdraw more money to pay some of my medical bills and car repair bills and I now have nothing left. I'm about to be 42 and really sweating this. I'm shocked at how fast the money went and trying not to panic right now. Any advice for how to start my retirement over? I am admittedly very bad with money and don't know how to create a budget. I've always operated on the "money in, money out" system where bills get paid and whatever is left over is spent until next payday. I realize how idiotic that sounds, it's been a very anxiety-producing topic that has always led me to just freeze and do nothing then go back to the same pattern. I don't want to do that anymore and need some helpful advice. Thank you so much.