Saving Money
You might be just starting out in your adult life or trying to pay off some bills. About fifty percent of all Americans live paycheck to paycheck. Living month-to-month can be hard at times but there are some ways to save and get through the months much easier.
1. Rent and living accommodations. If you can’t afford your rent you might think about downsizing and even inviting a friend to move in and share expenses. If you just can’t afford it then you might think about house sitting. This will give you an opportunity to go rent free for a period of time and get some money saved for a place you can afford.
2. Get rid of bills you don’t need. If you are paying for a membership at the gym cancel it and start walking in the park and YouTube for exercises. Or go to the library for a good book on yoga. Cancel credit cards and any other cards you have to pay a added percentage on monthly if you don’t pay off the entire balance.
Don’t go to the mall or other places where it might be hard not to buy something. If you have decent clothes don’t buy new ones. Shop at yard sales or thrift stores.
3. Help with Groceries. If you have small children you might check into a program called WIC. This is for children from birth to five years. It gives you a certain amount of baby food, juice, milk, and other essentials on a monthly basis.
Check your local churches for food banks. This can help you with emergency food items to help you get through the month.
If you have a very low income SNAP may be of help to you. This is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and you would receive a monthly benefit through a electronic transfer. All states have their own process and it takes some time so apply early.
4. Cooking and meal planning. Not buying snacks at work and eating at restaurants is a good way to start. Utilizing a slow cooker several times a week in the winter months can save you a lot of money. Google for cheap recipes and ways to economize at the grocery store. Some people use coupons but be careful here because sometimes the name brands you get coupons for are expensive and you won’t be saving much money. Store coupons and specials are usually best. Plan meals a week ahead and take a packed lunch to work.
5. Downsize. Move from a house to an apartment. Get rid of things you no longer use or don’t need. If you have a lot of books they can be sold on Amazon. Gazelle could be a great option is you have old computers or other electronics to sell. A resale site for nicely worn clothes is thredUP. A car may become too expensive to keep on the road. A smaller compact car might be better or even a bicycle if you commute a short distance.
6. Odd jobs. If your main job just isn’t enough finding some odd jobs around the community can be of great help. Mystery shopping is one way to make some extra cash. Check out such sites as ClinicalTrials.gov which is a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health or MSPA-NA.org. You can get tips on what to expect and find studies in your area that you can qualify for. Babysitting, dog walking, or even house sitting are great ways to make some cash.
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Great article. Thank you for sharing your insights. I have to add cell phones, they can be expensive. Unless you use your android or smartphones to help make you money, you are better off with a cheap clip phone. Many are in over their heads with expensive phones. Also, Second-to-none websites can offer discounts with Supermarkets in exchange for a mystery shop. A good way to save some money.
Thank you. Cell phones would fall under the downsizing. They can be very expensive unless you do your homework. Mystery shopping is a great way to save.
I am into odd jobs and doing them for quite some time now. I wish to make it regular and make money. It's not easy though. I have to work extra hard some of the times. So odd jobs with freelancing can be a way for the way to go.
I think if you have expertise in a given area you can charge a good price for your time. Maybe this is a way to better meat your goals.
Also make sure you have money earning apps on your phone and a penny jar in the kitchen.
Those are both good tips. I think that some people don't think much of pennies but they add up. Some of the apps available to us now days are great help in saving money and staying on a budget.