How do I get out of working from paycheck to paycheck?

Question

Both my husband and I work, (with good paying jobs) but we cannot get ahead. I have two jobs.

Answer 1

This is difficult, and I say difficult because many people can relate to your question and feelings surrounding the paycheck-to-paycheck mode.

My suggestion is to do the following:
1. Take a real hard look at where your money is going, what I
mean is to do the following:
a. Track every cent,yes every cent you spend daily.
gas, a soda from a vending machine, a cup of coffee, etc
b. Next look at that list and "eliminate" what is not necessary
a soda from a vending machine, a cup of coffee, etc. You
will be surprised how much you will save
2. Take lunch from home - no lunches out! None!
3. Buy food that stretches the food budget out
4. Eat leftovers - do not throw any food out, not even the smallest
bit
5. Lastly, and the hardest part. Eliminate things that are NOT
NECESSITIES...
a. Cable Television
b. Internet hookups (unless needed for school work or work)
c. Magazine subscriptions
d. Manicures, Pedicures, etc.
e. If you have your hair colored at a shop - start doing it at
home. You can save alot of money doing this. I use to
spend $85 every six weeks. No I spend about $9.00 every
six weeks - see the savings. And folks love my hair! You
CAN do it.
f. Walk whenever you can (save the gas in the car).
g. If you have to drive your car on errands "group your
errands" into one trip. Not multiple trips.

With the money saved from the tips above put some aside and use some to start dwidling the balance of credit cards (if you have them).

Good Luck. It's not easy but if you are serious you can make some changes.

Answer 2

A lot of people are in your situation, but with some financial counseling you could be on the road to success. The first step is to admit that you want to change. The best thing is to take a course or talk to a financial counselor. Dave Ramsey's financial peace class is great. They will walk you through a budget and ask what can be cut out. Sometimes they will want you to make sacrifices, like buying a good used car, instead of new, so that you can build up your savings instead of spending on something that depreciates. And also they will help you create a long-term plan for paying off debts, building savings, and finally investing in things that will pay off (mutual funds, etc...). Good luck to you.

Answer 3

Start from scratch:

1. Create and maintain a budget including tracking all expenses.
2. Once you've determined where your money is going, cut out all unneccessary expenses (ie., Starbucks and other frivolous items).
3. Making saving a priority. Treat it like a "bill." Create the goal of saving at least 10 percent of your GMI.
4. Spend less.
5. Scrutinize all bills to make sure you are not being charged additional fees or services that you don't utilize.
6. Spend less. That really cannot be emphasized enough.

Answer 4

Given that you have good paying jobs, it has to be your spending that is causing the problems. You may be able to cut back a little by not eating out, carpooling, etc., but may be forced to do something more drastic to change your situation. Sell your house and rent for awhile or find a cheaper car. Trust me, getting out of debt is one of the best feelings you can have after struggling with it for a long time and usually there is no "quick fix" or easy way out. Ultimately you will have to ask yourself if the spending is worth the headaches it is clearly causing you and your husband.

Answer 5

Sit down and figure out how much you are both making each month. Then how much all your bills cost.

How much do you have left over after paying your bills? Take part of that and put it straight into a savings account. Then figure out where all the rest of that money usually goes. A lot of it probably goes towards things you don't really need. Are you buying your lunch everyday? Start making a lunch at home. Stuff like that. You can end up cutting a lot of things out that you really don't need and simply buy out of habit.

Answer 6

Simple. Read Dave Ramsey's The Total Money Makeover.
www.daveramsey.com

It is written mostly for people in debt, but he has a complete plan for life. Good Luck

Answer 7

as a manner to have some money to speculate, you're able to desire to (a million) shrink expenses, (2) improve your income, or (3) the two. i don't comprehend what your guy or woman concern is, yet maximum individuals leak money someplace. Drop your cable plan, stop going to Starbucks, provide up smoking, etc. as quickly as you have picked the low-striking fruit, evaluate the thank you to truly shrink returned. are you able tocontinual much less (or greater desirable yet, sell your vehicle)? circulate to a greater value-effective place of living? Get a roommate? to improve your income, you ought to get a 2d job, desire for a advertising or develop including your cutting-edge business enterprise, or look for a sparkling job with a sparkling business enterprise. you're able to even have storage sale to do away with from now on belongings you have gathered. as quickly as you have somewhat greater coming in than you have going out each month, you will possibly desire to placed each greater greenback right into a reductions account or money industry fund for emergencies. ultimately, you % to have 3-6 months of expenses saved, yet needless to say you may no longer get there all of sudden. as long as you're putting some thing into the account each paycheck, you're doing very nicely. you will possibly desire to additionally be paying down your credit enjoying cards on the same time. Your submit would not point out debt, so I won't spend time on that right here. as quickly as you're satisfied including your emergency fund, then you definately might desire to evaluate making an investment with the aid of a extensive inventory industry index mutual fund, like the Index 500 Fund provided by skill of leading edge (or comparable money provided by skill of alternative fund managers). those money provide you get right of entry to to extensive chunks of the inventory industry at good purchase basement expenditures. good success to you.

Answer 8

check out some of Dave Ramsey's book about gaining financial freedom or speak to ur bank about debt consolidation. only downfall with that is that it may report bankrupt on your credit report.

Answer 9

Take in a roomie, just check references thoroughly. Make him get another job. Or take in another husband! :)

Answer 10

WWW.CROWN.ORG
WWW.DAVERAMSEY.COM

Pay off debts, live on less than you make and SAVE.
No new cars, no credit cards, no car loans either.

And yes it can be done. I coach people making $40k a year that have done it.