Living paycheck to paycheck is an anxiety-inducing experience because of the fear of being one expense away from landing into a crisis. Take it one day at a time with these smart tactics to help you make ends meet.
1. Track Your Spending
Use a planner or blank notebook to track monthly expenses. Write down how much you pay during each visit. Try free grocery pick-up services to limit impulse buying that sometimes happens with in-store shopping. Include any bill that comes out of your account so you know where the money is going.
2. Prioritize Your Needs Over Wants
Focus on survival over desires. Rent, utilities, and groceries are first priorities. Pause subscriptions and streaming services to penny-pinch every dollar you have.
Casino gaming is fun entertainment, but it should also be limited when finances are tight. Maybe if you have a little extra after paying all your bills, you can try a slot machine or a blackjack round on bet777 with $20 you have left for leisure.
3. Meal Plan And Cook At Home More
Purchase store brands to plan meals on a budget. Similar ingredients can help make different dishes like soups, stir-fry, and sandwiches. Cooking at home is a more budget-friendly choice for living paycheck to paycheck.
Purchasing food out won’t hurt once or twice a month if you have the extra cash. However, meal planning will keep you out of drive-thrus.
4. Utilize Community Resources
Stretch your tight budget further by asking for help from community entities. Attend community food distributions at churches, family success centers, and organizations. It’ll provide you with more pantry food and produce at no additional cost that can act as ingredient fillers for when you’re meal planning.
Apply for food assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Mothers with children 5 and under can apply for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. Participants can purchase cheese, milk, rice, and other staples with monthly vouchers on a card.
5. Negotiate Your Bills
Try asking for budget billing from your electric company. This will keep payments around the same amount every month without skyrocketing higher during the summer when you need to use air conditioning.
Ask for lower-tier plans on other bills. Ask for ways to lower your car insurance to a cheaper amount. Cut your phone and Internet bill down to the cheapest package.
6. Automate Savings When Possible
Reduce expenses to start savings goals. Try saving $5 to $20 every payday. These funds can eventually cover an unexpected expense. Ask your bank to automatically transfer a set amount to your savings account each time you get paid.
7. Find Side Income Streams When Possible
Side income streams can help supplement what you already make. Deliver food with mom and pop shops or DoorDash.
Ask neighbors and family if they need a babysitter. This service is in high demand for parents working night shifts or going on date nights.
Data entry, graphic design, content creation, and social media management are great online gigs you can do from home. Save gas since there’s no commuting involved and make money from the comfort of home with an Internet connection.
Sell unused items in your home on Facebook Marketplace. Products could sit for a while before an interested buyer comes along. However, it can be an unexpected income that gets you out of a bind. For faster results, host a yard sale on your front lawn. Try setting up with a community yard sale offering free entry for table setup.
