Money is, by far, the leading stressor in Americans’ lives. It’s more stressful than jobs, family concerns, or even politics. Not having enough money or not having enough money right now can do it.
Unfortunately, stress itself becomes a trigger for a host of other problems, such as sleep issues, weight gain, and even heart problems. Stack up a few of those and your life become even more stressful, reinforcing your existing challenges.
The solution is, of course, more money. If you’re wondering how to make more money or at least get more money in your wallet, keep reading for a few key tips.
Start a Side Hustle
People today have more opportunities to start a side hustle than at any other time in history. The e-commerce options and drop shipping can let you start a side business with almost no money invested and no inventory.
You can also join the gig economy with freelance work as a writer, programmer, or graphic artist if you have the skills. Got some professional chops? You can do some consulting on the side.
If you’re in it for the long haul, you can look into developing online courses that teach a skill or get into ebook self-publishing.
Get Your Paycheck Early
Sometimes, the problem isn’t that you don’t make enough money. The problem is that you need some of the money from your paycheck before you’ll get it.
In the old days, you were pretty much out of luck. You got paid when you deposited your check or the direct deposit hit your account.
Technology has changed a lot of things and finance is no exception. These days, you can use services like https://www.payactiv.com/ to get your money from your next check early. When your check does go out, the service gets back the advanced amount.
Get Serious About Budgeting
Unless you run an extremely disciplined budget, odds are good that you spend money you don’t need to spend month after month. If you don’t have any budget, you’re probably wasted a lot of money without realizing it.
Running a good budget doesn’t mean you must deprive yourself of everything you like. It simply means you designate roles for the money you do make. It also means you know what you spend your money on.
For example, do you know off the top of your head every subscription service you’re signed up for? You can put a lot of money in your wallet by canceling unused subscriptions.
More Money for You
There are a lot of ways you can put more money in your bank account or your wallet. The most direct path is with a side hustle, whether that’s an e-commerce store, part-time second job, or freelancing. You can also use apps to access your next paycheck early.
Another way is with budgeting. It’s not the most exciting method, but it can help you curb unnecessary spending. That alone will let you hang on to more money.
Looking for more personal finance tips? Check out the posts over in our Finance section.