6 Things You Should Be Doing If You're Broke - Healthy Wealthy Skinny (2024)

Being broke sucks! Not having the money you need to purchase the things that you need or want can be frustrating and overwhelming.

The good news is, you can make changes that can get you out of this bad financial situation.

If you are broke and living paycheck to paycheck or direct deposit to direct deposit there are things you should definitely be doing to change your financial situation.

In this blog post, discover 6 things you should be doing if you’re broke.

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(1) Changing the Way You Think

This might sound odd but one of the first things you should be doing if you’re broke is changing the way you think.

Chances are you have been struggling with your finances for quite some time. Your problem could stem from how you think about money and your finances.

The way you think about money shapes your emotions and your actions. Changing the way you think will help you break bad money habits and help you make good money decisions.

(2) Evaluating Your Situation

Taking a good honest look at your situation is essential to changing your financial situation. There are multiple reasons you can be broke during periods of your life.

Are you spending too much money?

Are you unemployed?

Do you have issues with saving money?

All of these can contribute to being broke. Take the time to evaluate your financial situation.

Look at your situation objectively and without emotion and determine the areas of your finances that require a change.

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(3) Reducing Expenses

Reducing your expenses will go a long way towards not being broke.

Tracking your spending and making a budget is one of the first steps to reducing your expenses. It’s hard to spend less if you don’t know where your money is going.

Once you have established your budget you can investigate ways to reduce your expenses and stretch your budget.

Believe it or not, there are ways to save money on groceries, save on items for your kids, and just about all of the necessities of life.

With a little planning, you will be managing your personal finances like a pro.

Download a copy of our free Monthly 50/30/20 Budget Worksheet. It’s a free excel spreadsheet to help you create and maintain your budget.

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(4) Saving Money

Now you might be thinking, “how can I save money if I’m broke?”

Saving money when you’re broke is just a matter of making saving a priority. It is not easy, however, it is an essential element to your personal finance strategy.

Putting aside even a small amount each paycheck will make a very big difference.

Saving money and creating an emergency fund is one of the first steps you should take when putting together your financial plans. Your emergency fund will ensure that you have funds available when unexpected expenses arise. It will also protect you from going into debt.

(5) Making Extra Money

If you are broke you should definitely be looking for ways to make extra money.

Depending on your situation this might be by finding a job, working for a promotion on your current job or starting a side hustle that will help you add additional income.

There are multiple ways to make extra money online. Some yield immediate returns like taking online surveys, testing websites, or teaching English online.

There are other methods that require more time and effort, however, they yield much bigger results. Here are a few ways to make extra money without getting a traditional job.

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(6) Spending Wisely

Learning to spend wisely will ensure that you make the most of your income. It will help you make the most of your budget and help with saving money.

Comparison shopping, using cashback apps, and shopping online are just a few ways to spend wisely when you’re broke.

Here are a few articles that will teach you how to spend wisely when you’re broke.

  • 50 Frugal Foods to Buy When You’re Broke
  • 10 Items You Should Never Buy at the Dollar Store

Taking Action

The hardest step is always the first step.

If you are broke it is imperative that just get started. It might seem impossible at first but you can change your financial situation.

Living broke will be a thing of the past if you simply take action.

Leave a comment and share your best practices for staying financially healthy.

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6 Things You Should Be Doing If You're Broke - Healthy Wealthy Skinny (2024)

FAQs

How do you manage money when you are broke? ›

Budgeting When You're Broke
  1. Avoid Immediate Disasters. ...
  2. Review Credit Card Payments and Due Dates. ...
  3. Prioritizing Bills. ...
  4. Ignore the 10% Savings Rule, For Now. ...
  5. Review Your Past Month's Spending. ...
  6. Negotiate Credit Card Interest Rates. ...
  7. Eliminate Unnecessary Expenses. ...
  8. Journal New Budget for One Month.

What to do when you're really broke? ›

What to Do When You're Completely Broke
  1. Breathe and be honest.
  2. Diagnose the problem.
  3. Don't point fingers.
  4. Develop a game plan.
  5. Redefine your necessities.
  6. Make a radical change.
  7. Face your debts head-on.
  8. Take advantage of public assistance and free opportunities.
Mar 26, 2024

How do you survive going broke? ›

Financial experts: 4 tips on how to cope with financial loss in a bleak economy
  1. Build up cash. ...
  2. Pay down your debt. ...
  3. Start investing in stocks. ...
  4. Live below your means. ...
  5. Start reversing bad habits. ...
  6. Face the inevitable. ...
  7. Let go of the idea of scarcity.
Dec 5, 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.

What is the 60 20 20 rule? ›

Put 60% of your income towards your needs (including debts), 20% towards your wants, and 20% towards your savings.

What to do for fun if you're poor? ›

Whatever your situation, here are 13 fun things to do that don't cost money with friends and family:
  1. Go on a picnic. ...
  2. Go to no-cost museum and zoo days. ...
  3. Give geocaching a try. ...
  4. Leverage your chamber of commerce. ...
  5. Take a historical city tour. ...
  6. Visit a farmers market. ...
  7. Go camping. ...
  8. Do a photography challenge.
Feb 14, 2024

How to entertain yourself when you're broke? ›

To keep yourself entertained and on budget, check out these free or cheap things to do.
  1. Go to a museum, aquarium or zoo. Many aquariums, museums and zoos waive admission fees on certain days. ...
  2. Read a book. ...
  3. Catch a movie. ...
  4. Play a game inside. ...
  5. Play a game outside. ...
  6. Volunteer. ...
  7. Visit the farmers market. ...
  8. Go thrift shopping.
Jan 25, 2024

How to start over when you're broke? ›

To make the most of your new life, start by creating a list of goals and keeping a positive mindset. Learn more about saving and your spending habits. Get a job to bring in additional income and reach out to your friends and family for assistance, if needed.

How to go from broke to financially free? ›

How to Achieve Financial Freedom
  1. Learn How to Budget.
  2. Get Debt Out of Your Life—For Good.
  3. Set Financial Goals.
  4. Be Smart About Your Career Choice.
  5. Save Money for Emergencies.
  6. Plan for Big Purchases.
  7. Invest for Your Retirement Future.
  8. Look for Ways to Save Money.
Feb 2, 2024

How can I be happy when broke? ›

How To Be Happier Without Spending a Lot of Money
  1. Strengthen Bonds With Family and Friends. ...
  2. Create a Gratitude Journal. ...
  3. Go for a Walk. ...
  4. Define 'Fun' for You. ...
  5. Start a Pay-It-Forward Line. ...
  6. Say 'No' ...
  7. Smile Even If You Don't Feel Like It. ...
  8. Strive for Serenity and Security.
Sep 29, 2020

How to save money if you are poor? ›

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

What is the 70 20 10 budget rule? ›

The 70-20-10 budget formula divides your after-tax income into three buckets: 70% for living expenses, 20% for savings and debt, and 10% for additional savings and donations. By allocating your available income into these three distinct categories, you can better manage your money on a daily basis.

What is 50 needs 30 wants? ›

The 50/30/20 budget rule states that you should spend up to 50% of your after-tax income on needs and obligations that you must have or must do. The remaining half should be split between savings and debt repayment (20%) and everything else that you might want (30%).

What is the 30 60 10 rule budget? ›

The 60/30/10 budgeting method says you should put 60% of your monthly income toward your needs, 30% towards your wants and 10% towards your savings. It's trending as an alternative to the longer-standing 50/30/20 method. Experts warn that putting just 10% of your income into savings may not be enough.

What to do when you are financially broken? ›

In this article:
  1. Identify the problem.
  2. Make a budget to help you resolve your financial problems.
  3. Lower your expenses.
  4. Pay in cash.
  5. Stop taking on debt to avoid aggravating your financial problems.
  6. Avoid buying new.
  7. Meet with your advisor to discuss your financial problems.
  8. Increase your income.
Jan 29, 2024

How do you make money when you are completely broke? ›

Find ways to make extra money, such as:
  1. Freelance work. You can sell your skills on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.
  2. Gig economy. You can drive for rideshare companies, deliver food, or complete online tasks.
  3. Sell unused items. ...
  4. Odd jobs.
Mar 7, 2024

How do I save money when I'm 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 to save money if you're poor? ›

The first step to saving money when you're broke is to create a detailed budget. Track your income and expenses, identify areas where you can cut back, and allocate funds wisely. Use budgeting spreadsheets to stay organized and accountable. Focus on essentials such as housing, utilities, food, and transportation.

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