If a new household purchase is unavoidable, save money slowly over time in order to purchase the item you need. Avoid rent-to-own options. Rent-to-own furniture or electronic equipment is a tempting offer because you can pay in small installments over a long period. But in the long run, it will cost you more than if you had just paid the whole amount all at once. [1] X Research source Instead of getting rid of your out-of-style garments, try mixing and matching them with your other clothes. [2] X Expert Source Samantha Gorelick, CFP®Financial Planner Expert Interview. 6 May 2020.
Compare prices carefully. Many stores provide direct price comparisons if you look closely on shelf tags in the grocery store. For instance, price-per-unit shelf tags might indicate that one brand of juice might cost $1 per liter, while another might cost $1. 20 per liter. Whenever possible, opt for the less expensive choice. Did you know wikiHow actually offers coupons for a variety of different services and stores? Check out our coupon site for tons of money-saving deals and promo codes.
Look for more spartan shops. Part of what you pay for when you visit a grocery store is the experience. An upscale place like Whole Foods is not the best place to shop if you’re trying to survive being poor.
Community dinners are often offered at local churches and community aid organizations for free or at extremely low cost. Call local churches to find out if they have weekly spaghetti dinners, soup kitchens, or other events where meals are provided to the general public.
To qualify for SNAP, you can have up to $2,250 in total household bank accounts, or $3,250 if you’re 60 or older. Supplemental Security Income, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and most retirement plans do not count against the total financial resources used to determine whether you qualify. The amount of income you earn also determines eligibility. [6] X Research source To apply, find your state’s public assistance office. A full list of such offices and the online SNAP applications of states which offer them are available at http://www. fns. usda. gov/snap/apply. Fill in the required paperwork and mail, digitally submit, or print your application. Response times vary by state. You might also try identifying and calling your local SNAP hotline with this list: http://www. fns. usda. gov/snap/state-informationhotline-numbers. SNAP benefits can be used for food purchases only. Pet foods, soaps, household supplies, vitamins and medicines, alcohol, and hot foods (take-out or deli pizzas, for example) cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits.
Foods given to qualifying individuals as part of WIC packages include juice, milk, breakfast cereal, cheese, eggs, fruits and vegetables, whole wheat bread, canned fish, peanut butter, and legumes. [7] X Research source To apply for WIC, contact your local state or county public assistance office. [8] X Research source
To qualify for public housing, you must earn 80% or less of the average local income. Contact your local HUD office or search for publicly subsidized housing on HUD’s site at http://portal. hud. gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/rental_assistance to learn how you can apply for public housing in your state or municipality. You may be put on a waiting list when you apply for affordable housing. [10] X Expert Source Samantha Gorelick, CFP®Financial Planner Expert Interview. 6 May 2020.
Draw up a household budget. In one column, calculate your household’s total income. This includes revenue coming in not only from you, but from everyone in your house. Then calculate your household’s total expenses. Think about the costs accumulated by children and pets as well as by you and any other adults in the house. Subtract the expenses from the income total. If the expenses exceed the income, try to find where you can cut some expenses, or figure a way to increase your income streams. Before buying anything, always ask yourself this question: “Is this really necessary?” If not, put it back on the shelf for another day when you are not so poor.
Don’t be afraid to request working more hours if you think you can take them on. Employers like seeing helpful employees who are eager to work. If you have trouble finding additional time in your schedule to work due to the presence of small children, ask a trusted relative or neighbor to tend to them while you go to work. If you have a hard time locating transportation to get to or from a place of work, ask coworkers, friends, or family to give you a ride. Check local public transit options as well. If it is impossible to take on extra work, ask for a raise at your current place of employment. You are more likely to get a raise if you’ve been on the job for at least a year.
You could also seek assistance from a financial advisor, a specially trained economic expert who helps individuals utilize and save their money in the most efficient way possible. Financial advisors can educate and train you on how to budget your money. They are often available over the phone or online, as well as in person. Be on the lookout for credit counseling scams. Some organizations purport to be debt counseling agencies but are in fact in the business of preying on economically vulnerable individuals, and charge lots of fees Do not allow any agency to add you as an authorized user on another bank account, or obtain an Employer Identification Number for you. [16] X Research source
There are plenty of healthy meal options you can try on a budget. Check out the US Department of Agriculture’s menus and cookbooks online.
Strong social support systems will build psychic resilience. In the face of adversity, including poverty, you will be less likely to feel anxious, worried, or depressed when you know you have friends and family you can rely on. [17] X Research source
No matter how bad things seem, there’s always a new day tomorrow. Focusing on and planning for better days ahead can relieve stress and distract you from whatever problems you’re facing today. [19] X Research source Don’t worry about what-ifs. Focusing on things you did wrong or dwelling on the past will not help you change your current predicament. Envision yourself in 5, 10, and 15 years. Where do you imagine you’ll be living? What kind of work will you do? Share your thoughts with a friend and invite them to do the same. Try to find something positive in each week or day that you can look forward to. Try to make it something different each day (don’t just think about how desperately you want to get out of work every day). Things like meeting a friend for a bike ride, or taking your child to the playground might be some of the things you look forward to after each day.
Accept the things that you cannot change. You’ve become poor, but hey, it’s not the end of the world! Recognize that your situation is temporary and you’ll come out of it better and stronger. Challenge negative thoughts. [21] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source When you feel a thought such as “I’m no good” or “I’ll always be poor,” do not dwell on it. Introduce a contrary thought such as “I am a good person and many people like being around me” or “Someday I will be financially independent. ” Forgive yourself. You’re a fallible person, just like everyone else. Your mistakes do not define you, they are only bumps in your personal life path. Use positive self-talk to forgive yourself. Say to yourself “I made a mistake but I am still a good person. ”
Think about occasions where you did not exercise proper self-control. [23] X Research source You might have felt tempted to engage in habits like drinking or binge-eating which release endorphins and make you feel good. You might have lost your temper more than you did before you were struggling with poverty. Whatever the case, try to become conscious of occasions where you lose control and take positive steps to reign yourself in. Try to find positive outlets for your energy. When you feel that you might blow up on someone or want to have a drink, go for a run or bike ride instead. Try painting a picture or playing a musical instrument. Get enough rest. A full night’s sleep – 6 to 8 hours – is important for thinking clearly and deliberately. You’ll be more able to exercise self-control when you are well-rested. Set a regular bed time and stick to it each night.
