How to Save Money When You're Broke (2024)

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How do you save money when you do not make enough? How do you build up a nest egg when you have very little money to spare? How do you pay off debt when your budget is in the red?

The answer is hustle.

How to Save Money When You're Broke (1)

I know, I know, no one wants to work that darn hard to save a penny but truthfully it is the only way to really save. Saving money, paying off debt, and great accomplishments only happen when you hustle. It will not matter if you make a zillion dollars or if you make pennies an hour, you will not achieve your money goals without hustle.

Step One: Budgeting

The first step to hustle is budgeting, as without budgeting you will not know how much money you have or do not have to hustle. Setting up a budget that works can be as simple as tallying up your expenses for the month along with your monthly income. Then you can subtract your income from your expenses.

If you are in “the red”, meaning you have more expenses than you do income every month, it may be time to hustle to step number two.

Step Two: Cut

The second step to hustle is to cut the unnecessary spending from your budget. Things to consider cutting from your budget are; cable/satellite, data on your phone, monthly subscription services, and even banking fees. (You really should not have to pay bank fees and if you are, find a bank that will not charge you or call your current bank and explain to them that you do not want to pay the fee anymore and are looking for a new bank. This will usually work in getting your fee removed, but if it does not, simply change banks. You cannot afford to keep paying a bank to make money on your money.).

You can reduce your monthly bills by calling and comparing quotes for insurance and calling your utility providers to ask about discounts or fixed rates. By doing this you can potentially save yourself up to $500 a year!

Step Three: Side Hustle

The last step to hustling is to work the side hustle. The side hustle is where you work to earn money outside of your regular job. You can side hustle by working a part time job on the weekends or after your regular workday ends. You can earn extra money through Swagbucks and InboxDollars and you can earn a side hustle from overtime worked at your regular job (if you are paid for overtime).

Still think the hustle is impossible or that it will not work? I am living proof that does work. At 21 years old, I was almost bankrupt and was so deep in the red I honestly did not know how I was going to keep myself from starving. The hustle works so long as you work. It will not be easy but if you need to bring your budget back in the green, hustle is the answer.

How do you hustle to save your family money?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. How to Save Money When You're Broke (3)Aja says

    Side hustle is key! It’s what got us out of debt!

  2. How to Save Money When You're Broke (4)Verity says

    Freecycle instead of buying. Negotiate with utilities when to pay and how much. Haggle debts down. Get rid of the TV and only watch catch up saving £145 a year on a TV tax/license. Grow my own veg collecting and using seeds from groceries as well as re-growing from veg for example you can regrow celery from the cut off base. Salvage. Buy second hand from charity shops, carboots and jumble sales. Use a swap and borrow group. Borrow generally (not money just things I need temporarily). Forage. Cash neutral; get rid of things to raise funds for essentials I do need. And so on.

  3. How to Save Money When You're Broke (5)Lissa says

    I joined local coupon sites on Facebook. They show to cut coupons and match the coupon to the sale. I save about 30%, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but when you have a one hundred dollar bill and get $30 back instead of nothing, it all adds up.
    http://askmelissaanything.blogspot.com/

How to Save Money When You're Broke (2024)

FAQs

How to Save Money When You're Broke? ›

Those will become part of your budget. 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. Let's take a closer look at each category.

How to save money even when you are broke? ›

Jaspreet Singh: 10 Ways To Save Money When You're Broke
  1. Quit Using Credit Cards. ...
  2. Cook More at Home. ...
  3. Plan Your Meals. ...
  4. Get Smarter About Free Stuff. ...
  5. Switch Your Provider. ...
  6. Visit Your Library. ...
  7. Look Into Refinancing Your Loans. ...
  8. See Which Perks You're Eligible For.
Oct 14, 2023

How do you save money when you have no money? ›

Bill Paesano
  1. Create a Budget. The first step to saving money when you're broke is to create a detailed budget. ...
  2. Prioritize Necessities. ...
  3. Cut Unnecessary Subscriptions. ...
  4. Shop Smart for Groceries. ...
  5. Cook at Home. ...
  6. Explore Second-Hand Shopping. ...
  7. Utilize Free Resources. ...
  8. Use Public Transportation.
Aug 4, 2023

How to get money when you're broke? ›

Once those subside, you'll find there are ways to get your hands on quick cash, without falling prey to scams.
  1. Sell spare electronics. ...
  2. Sell your gift cards. ...
  3. Pawn something. ...
  4. Work today for fast cash today. ...
  5. Seek community loans and assistance. ...
  6. Ask for forbearance on bills. ...
  7. Request a payroll advance.
Dec 19, 2023

What is the 50/30/20 rule? ›

Those will become part of your budget. 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. Let's take a closer look at each category.

How to survive when you are 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

How to live off low income? ›

Additional Tips For Living On A Low-Income Budget
  1. Look for free and low-cost activities. ...
  2. Ask for a raise. ...
  3. Start a side hustle. ...
  4. Replace costly habits with inexpensive ones. ...
  5. Plan sequenced reward opportunities. ...
  6. Create accountability. ...
  7. Seek out low-cost alternatives to your hobbies.
Sep 14, 2022

How can I save $1000 fast? ›

Financial expert Dave Ramsey has a lot of ideas on the subject, and here are some of the most practical ways to save your first $1,000 quickly.
  1. Cancel Subscriptions. ...
  2. Bring Your Own Lunch. ...
  3. Avoid Coffee Out. ...
  4. Re-Sell Old Items. ...
  5. Shop at Cheaper Grocery Stores With Rewards Programs. ...
  6. Buy Generic. ...
  7. Join a Carpool.
Dec 28, 2023

How to live on very little money? ›

These seven tips may be able to help.
  1. Understand your current financial habits. Not sure how to start spending less? ...
  2. Create an effective budget and stick to it. ...
  3. Look for ways to reduce spending. ...
  4. Set financial goals for future success. ...
  5. Save for emergencies or major purchases. ...
  6. Pay down debt. ...
  7. Stay aware of lifestyle creep.

How to live poor and save money? ›

How To Save Money Fast On a Low Income: Making Ends Meet
  1. Create a Budget. ...
  2. Open a Savings Account. ...
  3. Save Money on Bills and Utilities. ...
  4. Cancel Unwanted Monthly Subscriptions. ...
  5. Pay Off Outstanding Debts. ...
  6. Always Look For Deals. ...
  7. Change Your Financial Institution. ...
  8. Get A Side Job.
Jan 26, 2024

How to get 3000 dollars fast? ›

How To Make $3,000 Fast
  1. Online Freelancing.
  2. Sell Stuff You Own.
  3. Try Driving Gigs That Pay.
  4. Complete Odd Jobs For Cash.
  5. Work Overtime.
  6. Start An Etsy Shop.
  7. Rent Out Things For Money.
  8. Make Money Consulting.
May 6, 2024

How can I get immediate money? ›

9 ways to get fast cash
  1. Personal loans. A personal loan can give you cash fast. ...
  2. Lines of credit. Taking out a line of credit can help you get cash when needed without taking out more than you need. ...
  3. Payroll advance loans. ...
  4. Credit card cash advance. ...
  5. Retirement account loans. ...
  6. Life insurance loans. ...
  7. Community loans. ...
  8. Title loans.
Dec 8, 2023

How much should I be saving a month? ›

At least 20% of your income should go towards savings. Meanwhile, another 50% (maximum) should go toward necessities, while 30% goes toward discretionary items. This is called the 50/30/20 rule of thumb, and it provides a quick and easy way for you to budget your money.

How much money should you have left over after bills? ›

As a result, it's recommended to have at least 20 percent of your income left after paying bills, which will allow you to save for a comfortable retirement. If your employer offers matching 401(k) contributions, take advantage so you can maximize your investment dollars.

How much should a 30 year old have saved? ›

If you're looking for a ballpark figure, Taylor Kovar, certified financial planner and CEO of Kovar Wealth Management says, “By age 30, a good rule of thumb is to aim to have saved the equivalent of your annual salary.

How can I save money when I am not earning? ›

Tips to save money on a low income
  1. Save what you can. Saving as a practice is not dependent on how much you earn. ...
  2. Save first. Save first, spend later. ...
  3. Open a savings account. ...
  4. Start a budget. ...
  5. Settle debt. ...
  6. Lower housing expenses. ...
  7. Lower car expenses. ...
  8. Spend less on food.

How to save $10,000 in a year? ›

6 steps to save $10,000 in a year
  1. Evaluate income and expenses. To make room for saving, you'll need a meticulous budget that outlines all your sources of income and all your expenditures. ...
  2. Make an actionable savings plan. ...
  3. Cut unnecessary expenses. ...
  4. Increase your income. ...
  5. Avoid new debt. ...
  6. Invest wisely.
Apr 2, 2024

What is the 30 day rule? ›

The premise of the 30-day savings rule is straightforward: When faced with the temptation of an impulse purchase, wait 30 days before committing to the buy. During this time, take the opportunity to evaluate the necessity and impact of the purchase on your overall financial goals.

How can I save money when I am bad at it? ›

How to save money if you're bad at saving
  1. Pay yourself first. ...
  2. Automate your savings. ...
  3. Go for a high-interest savings account. ...
  4. Make your savings hard to touch. ...
  5. Bank that bonus. ...
  6. Invest your spare change. ...
  7. Use an app to keep your spending in check.
Apr 15, 2019

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