Many of us have been there – you’re short on rent, bills are due, but payday is still a few days away.
There’s a saying that money buys more problems, but if you don’t have enough to carry you through your next salary, it will certainly cause a whole lot of stress. In fact, it’s the top cause of stress for the majority of Americans.
And recent research has found that around 78% of U.S. workers live paycheck to paycheck. Even those earning as much as $100,000 still experience this financial dilemma.
Top Strategies to Solve Financial Concerns
So what can you do when you need a quick source of cash?
Fortunately, there are a few legitimate ways to get cash in such situations. Of course, your options will largely depend on what’s accessible to you and how immediate your need is.
But if you want to actually tackle perennial money issues, you have to take gradual steps to change your situation.
Here are key strategies to solve your financial issues:
1. Take out a cash advance
If you really need funds to cover you for the short term, consider a cash advance out of your bank or credit card. This allows you to access cash against your card limit.
Just be prepared to pay higher interest rates afterwards.
2. Opt for an overdraft
An overdraft allows you to access extra funds through your bank account, the amount of which will depend on the approved overdraft limit set by the bank. You can get this cash without accruing overdrawn and dishonour fees.
What’s great about overdrafts is that you don’t have a set repayment schedule, which means you could make a repayment once you have enough income to pay for it. It’s ideal for small cash loans, too. The Dave app, for instance, has $25, $50, and $75 options.
3. Be vigilant about your spending habits
Yes, short-term loans are quite helpful in times of great (and urgent) need.
But if you want to get your finances in better shape, you have to make incremental changes in how you’re spending.
Analyze your spending patterns. Can you adjust food expenses? Or maybe you need to reevaluate your shopping habits. Do you really need a new mobile phone, or can it wait a couple more years?
Break down your spending, and be objective about which expenses are essential and which ones can be let go. Being mindful about your spending habits can help you make better decisions that will pay off in the long run.
4. Focus on free activities
Just because you’re trying to trim down your expenses doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun and relax.
If you look around your community, you’ll likely find activities that are either free or will cost next to nothing. For example, you can enjoy a day in the park or at a free art event without breaking the bank.
5. Curb your credit card use
Owning a credit card is perhaps one of those things that can be useful but equally harmful to your financial health.
If you’re not careful about swiping that card, chances are you could rack up large debts that can affect your major life choices, like starting a family.
The only way you should use a credit card is to reserve it for emergencies. Or if want to use it regularly, then you’ll also have to pay it in full every month. Otherwise, your interest rates can balloon and you could end up with serious debt in just a few months.
6. Try to increase your income
Sometimes, supplementing your monthly salary with just a few hundred dollars can already make a huge difference in your entire budget.
Try to look for seasonal or temporary jobs that will enable you to bring in a little extra income.
Online work platforms like FreeeUp or Upworkprovide a lot of freelancing options. These usually come with flexible working hours, which means you could conveniently incorporate them into your schedule.
These are just a few ways that you can reduce your financial concerns and alleviate your financial stress. The trick is to take small steps toward purposefully improving your situation. What other money strategies work for you?