Financial hardship
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Learn to cook your favorite takeout meals at home to avoid ordering out.
One person reported saving thousands by doing this.
one person who lived it
Make hummus from chickpeas, lemon, garlic, oil, and tahini for a cheap, high-protein snack.
It is delicious, filling, costs less than two dollars, and provides around 25g of protein.
one person who lived it
Consider having a stay-at-home parent care for extra children as a side job.
Childcare costs are enormous.
one person who lived it
Diversify income sources and backups, such as getting an e-bike if reliant on a car, while times are good.
To survive multiple simultaneous setbacks.
one person who lived it
Protect your clothes and electronics from damage or loss to make them last for years.
It avoids replacement costs.
one person who lived it
Cut cable TV subscriptions and watch programs online instead.
Cable is a huge expense that is no longer necessary.
one person who lived it
Shred cheese from a large block instead of buying pre-shredded to save money.
Provides more bang for the buck.
one person who lived it
Buy store-brand hot dogs and buns for cheap, filling meals.
Store brands are fairly cheap.
one person who lived it
Hire a professional financial planner to present the facts and help set goals.
Their authority may carry more weight than yours.
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Add peanut butter to oatmeal to make it more filling and improve the texture.
It helps with the porridge-like texture.
one person who lived it
Apply for WIC and SNAP benefits if you qualify, even with some income, to help cover costs like baby formula and groceries.
It can provide significant relief for grocery bills.
one person who lived it
Account for every penny spent this month to help figure out a financial plan.
It helps identify problem areas so a plan can be created.
one person who lived it
- List out all expenses or use a finance app to catalog finances and pinpoint problem spots to see where money is going.5
Cut slack for a 14-year-old sibling who does not understand financial hardship, recognizing they are in a different headspace due to their age.
He is 14 and in a different headspace than you
one person who lived it
To achieve the largest raise within your field, leave your current company for a new one.
This is generally when people get the biggest raises in their field.
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Warm pre-baked potatoes in the microwave with butter and salt.
Simple, cheap, and requires no cooking skill.
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accept that you cannot control others, even when you see their faults
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Make egg-based dishes like frittatas, casseroles, or scrambled eggs for cheap, high-protein meals.
cheap protein
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Subtract small daily purchases from your monthly income to see how much is wasted on convenience items.
You will be surprised by how much money goes to things like energy drinks and snacks.
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Check local grocery stores for meat sales to find cheaper prices than warehouse clubs.
Local stores are often cheaper on meat when it is on sale.
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Make cold-meat and cheese sub-sandwiches or wraps as no-cook alternatives.
Requires no cooking equipment or skill.
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recognize that spending on expensive hotels and takeout may indicate poor trip planning rather than necessity
lack of planning leads to higher costs compared to planning ahead
one person who lived it
Pick up extra shifts or drive for gig economy apps like Uber, Lyft, Grubhub, or DoorDash to generate immediate cash flow.
3 people, independently
post offers of small items on Freecycle before making requests to avoid appearing greedy
people may think you are greedy if you only ask for things
one person who lived it
Perform chores like cleaning gutters, vacuuming, or washing the car without being asked.
to reduce emotional stress on parents
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Speak with professors about extenuating circumstances, such as providing a doctor's note, to request assignment retakes or extra credit.
Professors may be more willing to work with adult learners who are parents.
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Keep a bowl of accessible fruit and baby carrots for easy, economical snacking.
Fruit and veggies are cheaper than prepackaged frozen foods.
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Make microwave English muffin pizzas with marinara sauce, cheese, and optional pepperoni.
Ready in under 5 minutes with no cooking skill required.
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Cook hearty stews in a crockpot and freeze individual portions for microwaving.
Allows for easy reheating without daily cooking effort.
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Buy only essential groceries occasionally to help with household food costs.
it is helpful
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Avoid single-serving packages; instead, portion bulk items like Nutella into smaller containers yourself.
Single-serving packages are wasteful and expensive.
one person who lived it
Write the microwave heating time directly on reusable Tupperware containers.
Ensures correct reheating times are followed consistently.
one person who lived it