Some careers only require a two-year degree, and offer $50,000-60,000 a year. Go to your local community college and see what programs they offer. They should be able to help you find careers in high demand. [1] X Research source Talk to the financial aid office about programs to help you pay tuition. Depending on your circumstances, you may not need to take out student loans. [2] X Research source
If you have a house, see if you can find a way to lease one of the rooms. Make sure to do a background check on any potential roommates. Be especially thorough if you have children. [4] X Research source Consider moving to a state with a lower cost of living. If it is particularly difficult to find inexpensive housing, you may need to move. Do some research and compare the cost of living in different cities. If you do decide to move, make sure you have a job lined up before setting out. [5] X Research source
If you don’t have access to the internet at your house, use the public library. Make searching for a better full-time job part of your daily routine. If you have a few hours in the morning before you go to work, use that time to search for jobs. [7] X Research source Don’t apply to every job you come across. Be selective in your job search and find something that will improve your situation. [8] X Research source Build a LinkedIn account to help you with your job search. Build your profile to attract potential employers. Include a professional photograph and a catchy headline. Fill out as much of the profile as you can. Treat it like an overflow for your resume. If you have a lot of volunteer experience but can’t fit it on your resume, include it in your profile. [9] X Research source
Do a little research and see what other people in your field are getting paid. Don’t ask your coworkers how much they make, but check online and see what the average pay rate is for your job. [11] X Research source Don’t demand more money from your boss because you think you deserve it. Stay calm and try to work with your boss to reach a decision that is beneficial for both of you. Look for ways to help your boss. You may have to take on more responsibilities for higher pay. [12] X Research source
Getting debt-free should be your top priority. [14] X Research source Credit card debt is arguably the worst kind of debt. Sometimes the interest rates are as high as 25%. Try to pay those back first and, if possible, change to a 0% credit card, which is going to charge you 0% interest for some time. This might help you get debt-free sooner.
Services such as American Express Bluebird are almost completely free. While Bluebird does not help you build credit, it does prevent you from paying any fees for not carrying a minimum balance. [16] X Research source
Examine your income, your bills, and how you spend any extra money you may have. Make goals and keep track of your spending. The sooner you learn how to budget, the quicker you can reach financial independence. [18] X Research source Make a list of your needs and your wants. Needs are things like food, clothing, shelter, and medicine. Wants are things like pets, entertainment, computers, and TV. Some things may be harder to give up than others, but it’s important to determine what you can and can’t live without. [19] X Research source As soon as you pay your debts, try to save enough to cover your expenses for three to six months just to deal with any emergencies.
It may be difficult, and will likely take some financial creativity, but try to start an emergency fund. A good goal for a starting emergency fund is $500. That may seem like a lot of money, but start small. Try to set aside around $10 per paycheck. [21] X Research source The best thing you can do to avoid turning to payday lenders is to stick to your budget. If you stick to your budget and you still come up short, don’t immediately turn to lenders for help. Try to work out payment arrangements if possible. See if you can delay payment until your next paycheck arrives. However, be cautious when working out late payments. Ask about any fees for extended payments, and don’t get behind. Continual late payments can hurt your credit score. [22] X Research source
Rather than shop at a rent-to-own store, wait until you have the money for the item in question. If you find a TV for $400 and decide to lease it from a rent-to-own store, you could end up paying over $1000 in interest. [24] X Research source
Clothes, tools, books, and even fitness equipment are all easy to find used. Buying your large appliances and cars used can also help you save some money. [26] X Research source
If you have health insurance through the federal or state government, you may be eligible for a subsidy. The requirements for eligibility are usually based on household income and family size. [27] X Research source Healthcare. gov can help you determine if you qualify for a healthcare subsidy. [28] X Research source If you have outstanding medical bills, try to negotiate with the hospital. Review your bills and look for any charges that don’t belong. Sometimes errors will slip through the cracks and you may find yourself overcharged. If you can’t pay any of your medical bills, and you’ve talked with your doctor, try looking online for support. There are plenty of crowdfunding resources available for people living in poverty.
Put your loose coins into a jar at the end of each day. When you fill the jar, roll your coins and put them into a savings account. [30] X Research source
To start bartering, decide what good or service you need. Then, think about what goods and services you can offer. You may be able to trade an hour of housekeeping, or a small household repair, for example. Find a partner you’re willing to trade with, and negotiate the terms of the agreement. [32] X Research source Don’t feel pressured into taking goods or services that you do not need. You can always walk away from a barter if you don’t like the terms of the agreement. [33] X Research source
To start bartering, decide what good or service you need. Then, think about what goods and services you can offer. You may be able to trade an hour of housekeeping, or a small household repair, for example. Find a partner you’re willing to trade with, and negotiate the terms of the agreement. [32] X Research source Don’t feel pressured into taking goods or services that you do not need. You can always walk away from a barter if you don’t like the terms of the agreement. [33] X Research source
Find small ways to save money by cutting back on your utilities expenses. Turn off the lights when you aren’t in a room. Seal any leaks you can find in your doors and windows. Rather than turn the heat up when it gets cold at night, throw on an extra blanket. These tricks may only save a little at a time, but it could add up. Any extra money you get, whether it’s through a tax refund or a gift, is money you should save. It will be tempting to spend it on something new, but until you’re in a better financial position, avoid the temptation. [35] X Research source Avoid the temptation to spend by thinking through the purchase. Is it something you can live without? Do you only want it because it’s on sale? Depending on how you answer these questions, you may be considering an impulse buy. Don’t give in to impulse purchases. [36] X Research source Consider waiting 24 hours before making the purchase. If you wake up the next day and your first thought is about buying the item in question, wait a little longer. See how long you can go without the item. [37] X Research source
You may even be able to find free activities for your kids to attend, as well as support groups for people struggling to make ends meet. If you can’t find any programs, ask a family member or close friend if they are willing to help you with your kids.
An FOC will help you increase your income and decrease your expenses. FOCs work with low-income individuals to help them overcome poverty and secure financial independence.
Being a part of a community will encourage you to stay on track and meet your goals. Find ways to engage with your community in a meaningful way, such as through support groups, social events, and learning circles.
When searching for help, avoid scams. If you find an organization that you want to do business with, make sure they are legitimate. Pay attention to any contracts or paperwork involved. [39] X Research source Check with your state Attorney General to verify the legitimacy of any credit counseling organization. You can also check with local consumer protection agencies. If consumers have filed complaints with the organizations, look into them. Just because you can’t find complaints, doesn’t mean the organization is legitimate. [40] X Trustworthy Source Federal Trade Commission Website with up-to-date information for consumers from the Federal Trade Commisson Go to source Conduct an interview with any potential candidates. Ask what services they offer, what their fees are, and what qualifications they have. [41] X Trustworthy Source Federal Trade Commission Website with up-to-date information for consumers from the Federal Trade Commisson Go to source Make sure that the organization provides resources for you to get out of debt, such as debt management classes and budget counseling. [42] X Trustworthy Source Federal Trade Commission Website with up-to-date information for consumers from the Federal Trade Commisson Go to source
The shift-and-persist method of dealing with stress is a way to examine your stressors and find ways to cope with them. Rather than trying to get rid of the stressor, accept your situation and adjust your outlook. [44] X Trustworthy Source American Psychological Association Leading scientific and professional organization of licensed psychologists Go to source The key to making shift-and-persist work is to keep working towards future goals. Don’t become resigned to the situation you are in, and don’t give up. [45] X Trustworthy Source American Psychological Association Leading scientific and professional organization of licensed psychologists Go to source Practice self-affirmation. Recognize that you have value and don’t let poverty get in the way of your feeling of self-worth. Think of times in the past when you were successful. Remind yourself daily that you have what it takes to solve your problems.
Find foods you can use in multiple meals. By buying a select few staple ingredients, you can ensure that you’re always able to make a meal. Keep things like flour, spices, garlic, and lemons on hand. If you can, buy items in bulk to save money. You may not always be able to afford to stock up on certain pantry items, but when you can, it’s worth it. Try setting aside a little money each month for more expensive pantry items.
Go for walks. If you have a pet or kids, this is a great activity. Walking is a good way to increase your heart rate, not to mention get out of the house. If you’re stressed about something, take a walk to clear your head. You can also use this opportunity to catch up with your family members. [48] X Trustworthy Source American Heart Association Leading nonprofit that funds medical research and public education Go to source Try to spend at least 30 minutes a day doing some kind of physical activity. Jog in place while you watch TV. Do push-ups or sit-ups during commercials. You don’t have to spend a solid 30 minutes exercising. You can split it up into two 15 minute segments if you need to. [49] X Research source
It can be easy to lose sight of long-term goals, especially if you know it could be years until you reach them. To avoid neglecting your long-term goals, set aside time to work on them. Don’t let your short-term goals get in the way of your long-term goals. [51] X Research source Develop good habits to help you reach your goals. Wake up early, read books related to your goals, and pursue activities that will benefit you. You may have to replace some bad habits that occupy your time, such as watching too much TV. [52] X Research source Remember that real change is slow and incremental. For instance, your goal would be to run a marathon, you wouldn’t be expected to run your first marathon in a week. Make little bits of progress. Slow little baby steps toward cutting your spending has a big impact. It’s not a race.
