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

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Last updated Feb. 28, 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:

Get out of $15,000 or more in credit card debt

Credit card debt is a toxic, expensive loop. It holds you back from getting out of a financial hole or moving forward with the amazing life you envisioned for yourself. The biggest problem? The longer you put it off, the harder it gets to fix.

Delief Relief Advocates could help. If you have more than $15,000 in debt from credit cards, medical bills, collections, or personal loans, their representatives might be able to assist you in resolving it.

The best part? There are no fees until you complete your program and see results. To get started, just answer a few simple questions.

Visit Debt Relief Advocates

Pay no interest on balance transfers until December 2025

Imagine getting 21 months with 0% interest on a balance transfer. Sounds great — right? You could dramatically change your financial picture with this industry-leading low-interest card - the Citi Simplicity® Card.

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 on balance transfers for 21 months. 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!

It doesn't just stop with balance transfers though. Cardholders also get a generous intro APR of 0% for 12 months on purchases. After the intro period for purchases and balance transfers, the APR is19.24% - 29.99% (Variable).

The best part? There's no annual fee.

Click here to Apply Now

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.1

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

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.

Capital One Shopping makes saving money effortless. Just add the browser extension and when you check out, it'll scour the internet for coupon codes to help you save cash. And before you check out at 25+ major retailers, Capital One Shopping will notify you with a friendly pop-up if the item you're buying is available cheaper somewhere else.

Capital One Shopping is free to use and won't show you ads. Add it today and stop overpaying!2

Get Capital One Shopping now

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 wasting money on overpriced car insurance

We've got bad news. You could be wasting $500 every year on overpriced, second-rate car insurance. And you should probably cancel your existing insurance right now, because there's something much better.

This new tool from FinanceBuzz can tell you if you're overpaying for your car insurance in just a few clicks. We match drivers with companies that report saving drivers up to $500 or more per year when they save! Each driver’s savings will vary by driving history and how many discounts you’re eligible for. And once you try it out, you'll never have to look for affordable insurance again because we find you the lowest rates that other companies can't match.

Oh, and it's also free. And come on — you can't tell us you don't want to save up to $500. To find out if you're losing up to $500 or more a year, just enter your zip code here, answer a few questions and see if you're overpaying. It takes less than 2 minutes.

See if you're overpaying

If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources

Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.

How to become a member today:

  • Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
  • Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
  • Start enjoying your discounts and perks!

You’ll also get insider info on social security, job listings, caregiving, and retirement planning. And you’ll get access to AARP’s Fraud Watch Network to help you protect your money, as well as tools to help you plan for retirement.

Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.

Become an AARP member now

Get Out of $30,000 or More of Credit Card Debt

National Debt Relief Benefits

  • No upfront fees
  • One-on-one evaluation with a debt counseling expert
  • For people with $7,500 in unsecured debts and up

Visit National Debt Relief

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

FAQs

What to do if you are barely scraping by? ›

Although they may seem intimidating, they can have a significant impact on how much cash is flowing into—and out of—a budget.
  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.

What to do if you have absolutely no money? ›

I need money now. Where can I borrow from fast?
  1. Emergency credit. We do not recommend payday loans or other forms of high-cost credit. ...
  2. Credit unions. Credit unions are local, member-owned alternatives to banks. ...
  3. Grants. ...
  4. Trust funds. ...
  5. Help from your local council. ...
  6. Track down money you have missed out on.

What to do when financially broke? ›

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 have zero dollars? ›

No Money for a Week? Here's What to Do.
  1. Cancel Your Plans. If you don't have a dime to your name but dinner and drinks scheduled with friends, it's time to make that tough call. ...
  2. Raid Your Pantry. ...
  3. Find Things to Sell. ...
  4. Look for Side Work. ...
  5. Hide the Credit Cards. ...
  6. Put the Car Away. ...
  7. Call for Backup. ...
  8. Reevaluate Your Priorities.

How to stop struggling financially? ›

How We Make Money
  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 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.

How can I make $100 a day? ›

How to Make 100 Dollars A Day (Without a Job)
  1. Launch An Ecommerce Store.
  2. Become A Freelancer.
  3. Create and Sell Online Courses.
  4. Become An Influencer.
  5. Become An Uber/Lyft Driver.
  6. Online Tutoring.
  7. Become An Airbnb Host.
  8. Pet Sitting.
Jun 6, 2024

How can I restart my life with no money? ›

  1. Shift Your Mindset: From Scarcity to Abundance. ...
  2. Assess Your Skills and Talents. ...
  3. Set Clear Goals and Prioritize. ...
  4. Create a Budget and Reduce Expenses. ...
  5. Explore Alternative Housing Options. ...
  6. Generate Income with Creative Solutions. ...
  7. Seek Support and Leverage Networks. ...
  8. Invest in Continuous Learning and Personal Growth.
Jul 11, 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 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.

What to do when you're jobless and broke? ›

If you need money after losing your job, you might be eligible for unemployment insurance. Once you've signed up for unemployment, look for jobs advertising "Urgently Hiring" or "Immediate Hire" and be willing to accept any job you can get until you find the one you want.

How can I save money if I barely make anything? ›

SHARE:
  1. Focus on small changes in various budget categories.
  2. Automate your savings into a high-yield savings account.
  3. Earn interest on your checking account.
  4. Use those three-payday months to save more.
  5. Keep a budget.
  6. Shop around for insurance rates.
  7. Refinance your mortgage.
  8. Find a way to save on rent.
Oct 19, 2023

What to do if the dollar is worthless? ›

What To Own When the Dollar Collapses
  1. Traditional Assets. ...
  2. Gold, Silver, and Other Precious Metals. ...
  3. Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies. ...
  4. Foreign Currencies. ...
  5. Foreign Stocks and Mutual Funds. ...
  6. Real Estate. ...
  7. Food, Water, and Other Supplies. ...
  8. Stability and Trust.
Dec 14, 2023

How to survive when you have no money? ›

Government Assistance. The government offers a plethora of resources for families and individuals who have hit hard times. There are monthly stipends, housing vouchers, and credit cards for food that you can use until you get back on your feet.

Where to start when you are broke? ›

If you find yourself without enough money during this time, starting a side hustle or part-time job can help you earn extra cash until your full-time job picks up again or you find a new job.

What does barely scrape by mean? ›

1. : to live with barely enough money : to be able to buy only the things most needed. Money was tight, but we somehow managed to scrape by. 2. : to succeed at doing something but just barely.

Why am I struggling financially? ›

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 to turn your life around financially? ›

39 Ways to Improve Your Personal Finances
  1. Get your overspending under control. ...
  2. Create a new budget. ...
  3. Find a budgeting app you like. ...
  4. Make a will. ...
  5. Protect your savings from inflation. ...
  6. Prepare for rising interest rates. ...
  7. Prepare now for your next major life event. ...
  8. Boost your retirement savings.

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