how can you make yourself successful in this world when you live paycheck to paycheck?

Question

do i have to settle for working for corporations?
where can i find a cheap hot dog stand to buy?

Answer 1

Don't go out to eat as much. Buy essentials that you need (ie: shampoo, toilet paper, tooth paste and etc) in bulk. It comes out cheaper per unit. Don't make multiple car rides to places. Walk instead of driving if you need to go places close by. A lower house temperature gives a lower gas/electric bill. Don't buy things that aren't necessary. Hope this helps

Answer 2

You have to excercise restraint and resolve. Scale down your outgo to match your income.

Set up a budget.

First List the out-go: Start a log of all expenditures starting at the beginning of the pay period. Record every penny spent (I know it's hard to do, but keep a small notebook in your purse or pocket; or get receipts whenever possible and record the expenditures at the end of the day). What can you eliminate without pain?

Second: List the essentials - rent, food, utilities, insurance, car payments, car maintenance (fuel, oil, etc.), and the like.

Third: Plan to save. If your employer offers a 401(k) plan participate to the maximum. If the company provides a level of matching funds, they're giving you a "bonus" for participating.

If your company does not have a 401(k) plan, and you have not set up an Individual Retitrement Account (IRA), I suggest you do so. Depending on your age, you can contribute a up to of $4,000 per year (slightly higher if your are over 50). Contact a bank or broker (Charles Schwab, Merrill Lynch, Scott Trade, E-trade, etc,) to set up an account or Google "IRA" for more information.
Even if you open a bank account, it's a start.

Fourth: Pay off your high interest debt as soon as you can. Credit cards are the big culprit with interest ranging fron 10-25%. In some cases, the Minimum Monthly Payment just covers the interest, so the previous Principle (plus new purchases) continues to generate the interest unabatted.

Fifth: Pay cash. If you don't have the cash, don't buy (no exceptions).

These are just a few of the thoughs that I have. I'm sure others will add to the list.

Answer 3

Easy as pie. Since you live paycheck to paycheck that must mean you earn a regular paycheck! Great! Save part of it and invest it for the long term. As far as the hotdog thing goes, I looked into that myself. There's lots of carts available for a reasonable price. Get a used one. And don't believe that you can make a fortune off of those things. Some people do very well. But it's like anything else. You've got to work very hard to make a lot. Good idea for a part-time business though. As far as working for a corporation, they are the biggest employers.
If you find that distasteful you can work for a smaller company.
I just read "The Richest Man in Babylon." I think it would do you some good to do the same.

Answer 4

I know what you mean, this is the case for so many people.

These are some ideas that my husband and I live by...

1. Make sure you stay out of debt!! And if you are already in debt, there are free credit counselors that will help you in negotiating repayment of said debts.

2. Don't wait for that windfall of cash to put some away...it will never happen. Put a small amount in savings each and every week. Be consistant about it too. Over time, even $20 weekly will add up and make a tidy little sum for you.

3. Tax refund time is coming...take that return and pay some bills first thing. Buy something nice for yourself, but make it a reasonable purchase. Then put the rest in that savings account I mentioned. You'll feel good about yourself, having paid some bills, put some away AND bought yourself something nice.

4. Take inventory of your daily purchases...are there things you could live without? (Like a cup of coffee at a shop, or movies at theaters each week) If you make minor adjustments, it can mean more cash at the end of the week.

Hope all this helps!!

Answer 5

Opening a hot dog stand would be simple for the most part, but it most likely won't get you rich. It is a start though, and if you don't have a family to support then go for it. I can't advise you based on your personal situation, because so many factors go into it.

You need to start by thinking of other businesses you go to, like the hot dog stand, what made you think of that? If you currently have a job that you could open a business of your own and do the same thing, that is ideal. My husband was a plumber, opened his own business, and it was the best thing we ever did.

There are tons of opportunities out there. If you have good credit you could possibly get a loan to open something up. There are franchises, or you can just take an idean of another type of company and open one yourself. For instance, there are birthday party places for children, you could come up with a different twist on something that is already going on. A franchise would be smart for you if you don't already have a good idea of how to go about the whole thing. There are big franchises and small ones, with large and small investments.

If you don't have good credit, that is the place to start. Clean up your credit, and then you will have the world opened up to you. Search for franchises on the internet. Ask a lot of questions, and don't act on anything until you think about it and educate yourself very well.

Best of luck:)

Answer 6

I was on welfare with an 11 month old and a 3 yr old. My ex husband had not intentions of helping us out and so I learned how to work hard, stay honest and live very frugal.
I never walked by a penny laying on the ground without picking it up. We didnt spend a lot on clothes, and to this day, I do not own any jewelry. I picked up odd jobs. I cleaned the neighbors house and babysat. I packed as much money as I could save into savings, even if it was just $1 dollar. We always ate at home and never went out. I graduated from college and I am a RN in a hospital. I am so proud of where we came from. I forgot the humility of being on welfare. Pray hard and keep yourself focused.

Answer 7

You first need to stop having the things that are costing you money. Look at what your money is going towards each month. DOWNSIZE and more money will be left over.

You make the decisions to have all the stuff that cost you money such as a computer, internet, fancy tv, more clothes than needed, expensive food rather than the lower priced stuff, partying, gambling, smoking, etc.... I COULD GO ON AND ON.

ONLY YOU can make a change and decide to KEEP the money that is coming in rather than spending it.

I choose to keep my money or I buy things that will ultimately make me more moeny such as stocks or real estate.

If I would sit down with you and we would make a list of everything you spend on, you would be amazed at how much I could cut right off the top and save you each month. Well this won't be happening so it is up to YOU to take care of it. YOU can do it !!

Answer 8

1) Be the best at what you do. Even if you work retail, you can get raises and move up or work there for a year and go somewhere else to make more money.

2) dont finance ANYTHING.

3) BUDGET.

2 years ago I was making myself crazy not paying things correctly and not being vigilant. Now i put money into savings every month and am buying a house.

Answer 9

You must learn how to live "beneath" your budget.... Do you even have a budget?

Write down your monthly income.

Then write down your expenses: Rent, Food, Gas, Electricity, Phone, Cable, etc.....Be sure to capture everything....Look for things you can cut out....little things add up...do you stop at Starbucks? What other things do you do that you may end up spending far more than you know????

Do you have credit cards? If so, Eliminate credit cards....they are bad news....start paying them off lowest to highest . Develop a new philosophy....If you can't pay cash for it, don't buy it.

Look at your spending habits.....try to change them...

I could go on forever...financial counseling is an area I love. If you find this is helpful and you would like to have someone show you how to develop a budget, feel free to contact me for assistance. Best of Luck to you....

Answer 10

success - much like joy - and many other things - come in small doses only. you have to recognize your current successes and acknowledge those first.
Then make sure you have goals for everything. Short term - long term - where do you want to be in five years ? in ten years ? tomorrow ? all great things take time. and it's easiest to make small changes - baby steps. where were you this time last year ? how much better off are you now vs then ? how could you have made it better ? what are you going to do to make it better by this time next year ?