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

MAKE MONEY - MONEY GOALS

Last updated March 11, 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

Shopping online has its perks. It's super convenient, but it can be time consuming to find the best deals. Instead of hunting for coupon codes (that don't always work!) and opening tons of browser tabs comparing prices, you can try Capital One Shopping.

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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 up to $400 with this checking account

We hate to tell you this, really. But if you aren’t banking with U.S. Bank, you’re missing out on extra cash. Don’t worry though … it’s easy to fix.

Earn up to $400 when you open a new U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account and complete qualifying activities. Subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through April 3, 2024. Member FDIC.

Complete the following within 90 days of account opening:

  • Enroll in online banking or the U.S. Bank Mobile App.
  • Make two or more direct deposit(s) totaling $3,000 to $4,999.99 to earn $200 or $5,000 or more to earn $400.

This is practically passive income and a great way to supercharge your earnings.

Hurry, this is a limited-time offer and is only valid through April 3, 2024. Offer may not be available if you live outside of the U.S. Bank footprint or are not an existing client of U.S. Bank or State Farm.

Open your new U.S. Bank account here

Ask this company to pay off your credit card debt

If you have a lot of debt, getting out of it can feel stressful (and nearly impossible). Here’s the problem: 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 get out of debt once and for all?

This new tool from FinanceBuzz could help. If you have more than $10,000 in debt from credit cards, medical bills, collections, or personal loans, debt representatives might be able to assist you in consolidating your debt into one low monthly program payment. But don’t worry, if you have less than $10,000 in debt, we’ve got other great options that can help tackle and alleviate your debt burden.

Best of all? You could be debt-free in 24-48 months. To get started, just answer a few simple questions. It only takes 30 seconds to see if you qualify!

View your options here

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.2

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.

Get a free quote

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.

Click here to apply now.

Stop Overpaying When You Shop Online

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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? ›

Money dysmorphia is when your perception of your financial situation doesn't represent reality. It's a distorted view of your finances. For example, you might believe you're not doing well financially even though your finances are in great shape.

What can I do if I'm struggling with money? ›

Coping with financial worries
  • Stay active. Keep seeing your friends, keep your CV up to date, and try to keep paying the bills. ...
  • Get advice. If you're going into debt, get advice on how to prioritise your debts. ...
  • Do not drink too much alcohol. ...
  • Do not give up your daily routine.

What to do if you're financially unstable? ›

In this article:
  1. Identify the problem.
  2. Make a budget to help you resolve your financial problems.
  3. Lower your expenses.
  4. Pay in cash.
  5. Stop taking on debt to avoid aggravating your financial problems.
  6. Avoid buying new.
  7. Meet with your advisor to discuss your financial problems.
  8. Increase your income.
Jan 29, 2024

What to do if you're out of money? ›

Here's what to do if you have run out of emergency savings:
  1. Slash Your Budget Further. ...
  2. Sell Things You're Not Using. ...
  3. Pause Retirement Savings. ...
  4. Negotiate Bills. ...
  5. Call Lenders for Help. ...
  6. Take on a Side Hustle.

What to do if I have no money? ›

Whatever your situation, here are 13 fun things to do that don't cost money with friends and family:
  1. Go on a picnic. ...
  2. Go to no-cost museum and zoo days. ...
  3. Give geocaching a try. ...
  4. Leverage your chamber of commerce. ...
  5. Take a historical city tour. ...
  6. Visit a farmers market. ...
  7. Go camping. ...
  8. Do a photography challenge.
Feb 14, 2024

What is money dysmorphia? ›

Money dysmorphia is when your perception of your financial situation doesn't represent reality. It's a distorted view of your finances. For example, you might believe you're not doing well financially even though your finances are in great shape.

How can I get money if I'm struggling? ›

Facing financial hardship
  • Food assistance. ...
  • Unemployment benefits. ...
  • Welfare benefits or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) ...
  • Emergency housing assistance. ...
  • Rental assistance. ...
  • Help with utility bills. ...
  • Government home repair assistance programs.

How to survive being broke? ›

Get started now with these 10 steps to make your financial life less stressful.
  1. Avoid Immediate Disasters. ...
  2. Review Credit Card Payments and Due Dates. ...
  3. Prioritizing Bills. ...
  4. Ignore the 10% Savings Rule, For Now. ...
  5. Review Your Past Month's Spending. ...
  6. Negotiate Credit Card Interest Rates. ...
  7. Eliminate Unnecessary Expenses.

What to do when you're 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.

How do I leave with little money? ›

Here are seven tips on how to move out with no money:
  1. Create a Budget.
  2. Downsize and Declutter.
  3. Secure a Place to Stay.
  4. Look for Free or Low-Cost Moving Supplies.
  5. Seek Financial Assistance.
  6. Utilize Public Transportation or Ridesharing.
  7. Find Side Gigs.
Nov 14, 2023

How to survive a month with no money? ›

Plan your meals.

But when it comes to the no-spend month, this tip is crucial. Make a plan for every meal. Go week by week if you want, or however you like to grocery shop. Plan meals while you're looking in the freezer, fridge and pantry at what you already have.

How to get money asap? ›

Want to make money fast? Here are 16 legit ways to do it
  1. Find unclaimed property.
  2. Sell unused gift cards.
  3. Trade in electronics.
  4. Take surveys.
  5. Sell clothes online.
  6. Be a rideshare driver.
  7. Make deliveries.
  8. Do Taskrabbit.

How to get out of debt when you are broke? ›

How to get out of debt when you have no money
  1. Step 1: Stop taking on new debt. ...
  2. Step 2: Determine how much you owe. ...
  3. Step 3: Create a budget. ...
  4. Step 4: Pay off the smallest debts first. ...
  5. Step 5: Start tackling larger debts. ...
  6. Step 6: Look for ways to earn extra money. ...
  7. Step 7: Boost your credit scores.
Dec 5, 2023

Why am I struggling so much with money? ›

It may be that you have too much credit card debt, not enough income, or you overspend on unnecessary purchases when you feel stressed or anxious. Or perhaps, it's a combination of problems. Make a separate plan for each one.

How do you get out of financial struggle? ›

SHARE:
  1. Prioritize what you can control on discretionary spending.
  2. Find ways to earn more money.
  3. Pay essential bills.
  4. Save money during trying times.
  5. Track your money-saving progress.
  6. Talk to your lenders.
  7. Consult with an expert financial advisor.
May 21, 2024

What to do when you are financially broke? ›

Follow these steps for effective money management when you're seriously broke:
  1. Be proactive. Don't wait until the collection agencies start calling. ...
  2. Prioritize. Life is all about priorities. ...
  3. Cut back on your savings plan. ...
  4. Avoid relying on credit. ...
  5. Create more income. ...
  6. Make a new budget.
Nov 9, 2022

What is considered financially struggling? ›

In the large poll of 2,500 adults, 65% of people who earn more than 200% of the federal poverty level — that's at least $60,000 for a family of four, often considered middle class — said they are struggling financially.

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