6 Things To Do If You’re Barely Scraping By Financially (2024)

MAKE MONEY - MONEY GOALS

Last updated March 7, 2024 | By FinanceBuzz Editors

You’ve got just enough money in your bank account to last until Friday … but then Monday rolls around, and you’re in the same situation. Again.

Food. Bills. Rent. Gas. They dry up every bit of your take-home pay.

But it doesn’t have to be this hard. With a few smart moves, you could supplement your income — without doing much extra “work,” or even getting a side job!

Here’s what to do:

Stop overpaying when you shop online

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Pay no interest until 2025

Imagine getting an introductory 15 months with 0% interest on a big purchase or balance transfer (APR then 17.24% - 28.24% Variable). Sounds great — right? You could dramatically change your financial picture with one of the industry-leading no-interest cards — the Discover it® Cash Back(Rates and fees).

Cardholders get a generous intro APR of 0% for 15 months on purchases — that means you can cover bills, large purchases, or whatever you need to charge and not pay interest until 2025!

If you want to kick high-interest credit card debt to the curb, this is one of the leading get-out-of-debt cards available. Transfer your high interest debt to this card with a 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers. Your payments can go directly to paying down your balance without incurring a pile of additional charges. That could save you hundreds of dollars in interest!

The best part? The Discover it® Cash Back card is accepted by 99% of merchants, boasts an exceptional cash back rewards rate, and there's no annual fee.

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Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account

Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!2

With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!

This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.

Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.

Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today

Ask this company to help resolve $10,000+ in debt

If you have a lot of debt, resolving it can feel stressful (and nearly impossible). The longer you put off tackling it, the harder it gets to fix. If you don’t take control of it early on, it can add undue stress to your life for years. But what if there was a way to resolve your debt with far less stress?

Americor Debt Relief could help. If you have more than $10,000 in debt from credit cards, medical bills, collections, or personal loans, their representatives might be able to assist you in resolving it.

Best of all? There are zero fees until each debt is resolved, and the process can take as little as 24-48 months3. To get started, just answer a few simple questions.

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Don't let home repairs drain your bank account

Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more. Not being able to make repairs could leave you in a bad situation — but a home warranty could protect you against surprise expenses.4

Whether you’re a brand-new homeowner or you’ve owned your home for years, a plan from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where homeowner’s insurance falls short.

If a covered system in your home breaks down, you can call their hotline 24/7 for assistance to get it repaired. They have a network of over 15,000 technicians that can assist you, making sure any issue can be taken care of swiftly — without breaking the bank.

Not sure if it’s for you? Rest easy: they were named one of the "Best Home Warranty Companies" by US News 360 Reviews and were awarded Best Company's 2020 Consumer's Choice Award. For a limited time, you can get your first month free when you sign up for a Single Payment home warranty plan.

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Earn $200 cash rewards bonus with this incredible card

There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card(Rates and fees) has no annual fee and you can earn $200 after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

The Active Cash Card puts cash rewards back into your wallet. Cardholders can earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases — easy! That's one of the best cash rewards options available.

This card also offers an intro APR of 0% for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable). Which is great for someone who wants a break from high interest rates, while still earning rewards.

The best part? There's no annual fee.

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6 Things To Do If You’re Barely Scraping By Financially (2024)

FAQs

6 Things To Do If You’re Barely Scraping By Financially? ›

The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.

What to do when you're barely scraping by financially? ›

7 Big-Picture Life Changes to Consider
  1. Negotiate a Higher Salary. ...
  2. Switch to a Higher-Paying Job. ...
  3. Get a Second Job. ...
  4. Discuss Having a Stay-at-Home Parent Go Back to Work. ...
  5. Move to a Cheaper Home. ...
  6. Take in Roommates. ...
  7. Relocate to a Cheaper Area. ...
  8. More From LearnVest.

What to do if you're financially struggling? ›

Facing financial hardship
  1. Food assistance. ...
  2. Unemployment benefits. ...
  3. Welfare benefits or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) ...
  4. Emergency housing assistance. ...
  5. Rental assistance. ...
  6. Help with utility bills. ...
  7. Government home repair assistance programs.

How do you prioritize money if you dont have enough money? ›

How to triage your bills
  1. Take care of basic needs first. Housing and electricity are essential to your health and safety. ...
  2. Next, take care of bills that help you keep your job. ...
  3. Then think about your credit cards: These shouldn't be your highest-priority bills to pay when you're up against a wall.
Jun 6, 2023

What would you do if you were financially free? ›

Amazing things you can do if you're Financially Free
  1. Stop working or work less. ...
  2. Travel the world / plan your adventure. ...
  3. Look after your wellbeing. ...
  4. Volunteer work. ...
  5. Spend time on your hobbies. ...
  6. Relationships. ...
  7. Coach others. ...
  8. Grow your money.

How to stop being broke? ›

How can I stop being broke?
  1. Stop spending more than you make.
  2. Budget your monthly earnings to have money left over.
  3. Increase your earnings through higher pay or working more hours.
  4. Start acquiring assets.
  5. Stop acquiring more debt.
  6. Save up an emergency fund.
Dec 21, 2022

How do you tell someone you're struggling financially? ›

Different ways to say you don't have enough money for professional relationships:
  1. I'm feeling the pinch at the moment.
  2. I'm not sure my bank account will cope with it.
  3. My finances are tight.
  4. I'm on a tight budget.
  5. I'm not sure I can afford it.
  6. I'm in the red.
Mar 16, 2022

How can you tell if someone is struggling financially? ›

That said, there are a few common signs that someone you care about is struggling with debt.
  • Receiving collection letters or phone calls. ...
  • Spending doesn't match income. ...
  • Becoming evasive about finances. ...
  • Continually asking to borrow money.
Oct 28, 2023

What is the 50 30 20 rule? ›

The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.

What are 6 common budget mistakes you can t afford to make? ›

Failure to Adjust the Budget: A static budget may become outdated as your financial situation evolves. Life events such as job changes, salary increases, or unexpected expenses can impact your financial landscape. Regularly review and adjust your budget to reflect changes in income, expenses, and financial goals.

What to do if you are broke and unemployed? ›

The first step is to file for unemployment with your state so that you'll have some money coming in. If you're low on cash, a credit card or checking account line of credit can help in the short term. The government has programs that can offer additional financial assistance.

What is the fastest path to financial freedom? ›

Pay Yourself First

“Pay Yourself First” means putting a specific amount of money in your savings or investment account before paying for anything else like bills, discretionary expenses, rent, etc. This one act of paying yourself first has helped many people come closer to financial freedom.

How much money is enough to be financially free? ›

Americans say they'd need to earn about $94,000 a year on average to feel financially independent. That's about $20,000 more than the median household income of $74,580.

How do you overcome financial shame? ›

How to overcome money shame
  1. Share how you feel about money. It isn't always easy to talk about money. ...
  2. Understand your money triggers. Think about what's behind your money shame. ...
  3. Focus on ways to move forward. As you explore what you're feeling, think about how you can change the narrative.
Jun 6, 2023

How do I get unstuck financially? ›

Take time to think about what matters most to you. Your financial advisor can help you make a plan to bring these goals to life. Getting financially unstuck usually starts with understanding why you're stuck in the first place. You can then lean on your financial team to find your way through it.

Why am I always broke financially? ›

Lack of financial planning: Not having a clear financial plan, budget, or savings strategy can make it seem like you have less money than you should. A lack of financial organization can contribute to feelings of being broke.

What to do when asset rich but cash poor? ›

Refinancing can be your golden key, enabling you to tap into the value of your assets without selling them. It allows you to restructure your mortgage or loan terms to access equity or better suit your financial situation.

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