Introduction
Lets Be Honest living on the tight budget sucks. You want a new phone, car or even a luxury life but your budget sucks. But here’s the truth living on a budget doesn’t always meant to be torture.
With smart plans and strategies you can live comfortably rich life even if you have financial crisis right now.
1. Know where your money is going?
Th first step is boring and but i know you gotta do it. Write down every expense for a week even a $1 candy bar.
I once found out I was spending $80 a month on random snacks. That means I could have bought a new pair of Nike sneakers every month with that amount of money.
2. Don’t compare yourself with people on Social media
Those influencers who show off perfect NYC apartments, sushi every week, and designer clothes…
Tell me the truth? 90% of them are broke or in credit card debt. Or they get a free PR package.
If you keep comparing yourself to them, you will always feel broke.
A comfortable life means being happy with what you have and not chasing a fake lifestyle.
3. Do meal prepare ( and yes it works! )
You may have heard that meal prep is a cheat code for saving money. Cook once and have food ready for 3-4 days. Instead of buying a $15 burger from outside, make a big pot of pasta for $7 that lasts for 3 days. And shop with a grocery list. Otherwise, Oreos, chips, and random sodas come to your cart.
4. Cancel all the useless subscriptions
Check which subscriptions are running.
Whether its Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ or even HBO Max or Amazon Prim is all of them necessary? No.
I once realised that I hadn’t gone to the gym in 6 months, but the $20/month subscription was running. That’s $120 gone in 6 months for nothing.
Whatever is not being used, cut it. Simple.
5. Have fun for free!
It is not necessary to spend $50 every time with friends.
Try free or cheap ideas:
- Game night at home
- Hiking nearby trails
- Free local concerts/events
- Movie night with microwave popcorn
- Volunteering (it is fun and social)
You can have a lot of fun even without spending money.
6. Buy used Items ( Don’t be ashamed! )
At first i thought buying secondhand item means broke but i was completely wrong because secondhand items are usually a lot affordable than items in stores and markets. Don’t be ashamed to buy secondhand products trust me its gonna change your financial situations. You won’t believe but i found out later that even rich people buy secondhand items and products.
7. Automate your small savings
Saving money seems difficult in a tight budget but trust me its life changing. Start small save $5 to $15 week on auto transfer and at the end of the year you’ll see you have saved $500 that’s enough money to start investing or save further.
8. Avoid the “I Deserve Trap”
This is extremely dangerous. After a long day, you feel like getting a treat… then that treat turns into a $70 impulsive shopping spree.
It’s not wrong to get a treat, but keep cheap treats:
- Hot chocolate at home
- Watching a favourite Netflix show
- $5 cupcake
9. Repair instead of replace
If something is broken try to repair it instead of replacing with a new one. Its gonna save a lot of money and time . Try repairing at first, there is Youtube you can watch almost any tutorial to repair anything. Try to learn how to repair its gonna change life.
10. Start a side hustle
If you are still dreaming of becoming millionaire by Drop shipping or Crypto you are living in 2014 because in 2025 Drop shipping and Crypto has become a very crowded business models. The win rate of standing out from millions of Shopify store is very hard.
Try simple side hustles:
- Sell your old things on Facebook Marketplace
- Do freelance work using the skills you have
- Dog walking / pet sitting
- Babysitting
- Helping people move
Extra $50 per week helps a lot in a tight budget.
11. Do not ignore mental health
Lack of money causes stress, anxiety and this spoils your decisions. Comfortable living is not just about money, it is also about peace of mind. Talk to friends, go for a walk, do some exercise, sleep properly.
12. Don’t just think today, think long-term
Right now the budget is tight, but think where you want to be after 1-5 years. Set small goals. If you keep thinking only “how to survive today”, then you will miss the chance for the future. Every small habit has an effect over time.
Final Thoughts
Living on a tight budget is not fun, but it should not be like a punishment. How you use the money is what matters. If you act smart, cut waste, and enjoy a little too… then you can lead a great life in the US even on a tight budget. And maybe these habits will free you from a tight budget life in the future.
Add comment