Ok, now that I’ve got your attention, there are lots of ways that you can find money.
A major consideration to ask yourself before looking for money is, what’s your timeframe? When do you need to have the money? In this week’s blog we uncover strategies to find money regardless of how soon you need it.
Assume you’ve got all the time in the world. You might just wait until you find a $20 bill on the ground. Or invest some of your surplus money and wait for it to grow. You could be waiting for a lofty inheritance. The lottery ticket that you just bought could yield a great payout. You might be waiting for a tax refund or a stimulus check.
If you have less time, like a few years you may want to charge everything on a debit card or credit card associated with frequent flyer miles or frequent stay programs. Even the Costco credit cards offer rebates on all charges to their credit card. These strategies are not recommended. Most consumers do not have the discipline to pay off their credit cards at the end of every month.
“…One study found that an average of 39% of cardholders
always pay their credit balances in full each month.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
survey shows less than 40% of consumers always pay
credit card balances in full. (www.cardrates.com)”
Whatever money you think you find or save with frequent flyer miles or points, you probably actually paid for with the insane interest rate that you’re paying to keep a balance on the credit card. Trust me on this!
If you are urgently looking for money some of the best practices include finding additional employment (if you’re not employed or if you wish to find more money). With the virtual nature of the world right now, working from home, starting your own business, doing contract work, driving for UberEATS, providing pet care through Rover, are all ways to find money on your own terms.
Let’s not forget the obvious ways to find money. Start going through those closets, drawers, ottomans, coffee tables, kitchen cupboards, garages and desks to reveal hidden treasures that could put cash in your wallet immediately. Using Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are great ways to find new homes for items that you aren’t using anymore. Recently my husband went through the garage and discovered a bunch of motorcycle gear that he doesn’t use anymore. He ended up selling them and bringing in a nice sum to add to our vacation fund.
The best way to find money is to prepare a budget at the beginning of every month and follow it. If you’re married or living with your significant other, it’s imperative that you both contribute towards the development of the budget. It’s normal for it to take about three months to build a budget that works for your household. I recently worked with a client and we found $600 in her budget. It was the money that wasn’t budgeted for something specific. It is the money foundation for smart people who want to live and give like no one else. If you’re new to budgeting, check out this helpful tool, Monthly Cash Flow Plan. If you want help establishing a budget for the first time, let me know. I help people put together a budget that works for them! You can schedule a time to meet by clicking here.
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