Personal Finance
Are you stuck in the rut of living paycheck to paycheck? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. According to a 2023 survey, 61% of Americans find themselves in the same boat. But the good news is you can break free from this cycle. Let’s explore the critical question: “How much of my paycheck should I save?” and learn valuable money-saving tips along the way.
Unraveling the root causes of living paycheck to paycheck
Before finding a solution, it’s crucial to understand the problem. Ask yourself, “Why am I living paycheck to paycheck?”
People fall into this cycle for several reasons. For some, their income is insufficient to cater to their lifestyle and simultaneous savings. For others, unexpected expenses or emergencies lead to such a situation. Some might be earning enough but still struggle to save, thus living paycheck to paycheck. To find the root cause, you need to determine whether your income is inadequate or if your expenses are excessive.
The magic of budgeting: An insight into your finances
The first step toward escaping the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle is constructing a budget. How much money should you save each month? A budget is the answer. It provides a clear picture of your monthly income and expenses and is a great first step toward better money management.
Rethinking your relationship with money
A staggering 77% of American households are in debt, indicating a troublesome relationship with money. A perspective shift might be all you need to break free from the paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle.
Taking a page from the classic personal finance book Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez, think of money as a representation of your life energy. Every dollar spent is a measure of your life energy that you’re parting with.
“Our life energy is our allotment of time here on earth… Money is something you consider valuable enough to spend easily a quarter of your allotted time here on earth getting, spending, worrying about, fantasizing about, or in some other way reacting to.”
With this perspective, unnecessary expenses might not seem worth it anymore. So, the next time you’re about to make a purchase, ask yourself, “Is this worth my life energy?”
Is debt the culprit behind your paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle?
If debt is the reason you’re living paycheck to paycheck, it’s time to devise a repayment plan. Repayment plans offer you a clear roadmap to becoming debt-free.
Start by listing all your debts, including credit cards, student loans, mortgages, and personal loans. Make sure the list includes the balance owed and the interest rate for all debts.
Now, let’s look at two effective debt repayment strategies: the debt snowball strategy and the debt avalanche strategy.
The debt snowball strategy
List your debts in ascending order of balance. Pay the minimum amount for all debts except for the one with the smallest balance. Try to pay as much as you can for the smallest balance until it’s ultimately settled. Then, move on to the next smallest debt.
This strategy offers quick wins and helps pay off individual debts faster.
The debt avalanche strategy
Here, debts are listed from the highest to the lowest interest rate. Pay the minimum balance for all debts except for the one with the highest interest rate. For that debt, pay as much as possible until it’s cleared. Then, move on to the debt with the next highest interest rate.
This strategy helps save more on interest, although it might take you longer to pay off individual debts.
Building an emergency fund: Your financial safety net
Living paycheck to paycheck often leaves no room for saving for emergencies. However, even a small amount set aside for unforeseen circumstances can make a significant difference.
Breaking free from the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck isn’t easy, but with the right money-management skills and financial discipline, it’s certainly achievable. Remember, every step you take toward financial independence today will contribute to a stress-free and more confident tomorrow.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide financial, tax or legal advice. You should consult a professional for specific advice. Best Egg is not responsible for the information contained in third-party sites cited or hyperlinked in this article. Best Egg is not responsible for, and does not provide or endorse third party products, services or other third-party content.