to create a balanced budget, one must make sure to spend as little as possible. pay credit card payments…

Brief Explanations:

A balanced budget means that total revenues (income) equal total expenditures. So, to create a balanced budget, spending should be less than or equal to income. Spending as little as possible doesn't guarantee a balanced budget as it doesn't consider income. Paying credit - card payments or debts first doesn't directly define a balanced budget.

Answer:

spend less than or equal to income.