We’ve all been at that point of the month where there is an awkward stretch between paydays, the fridge is empty and quickly, the bills are looming, and payday still feels mild miles away. Whether it’s due to the unexpected expenses that come up or the rising cost of living, getting through those last few days can be very stressful.
While online payday loans may seem like a quick fix, these should always be approached with caution, as should any lending. Instead, we’ve got 4 practical and mostly painless tips to help you to stretch your cash and stay in control until you get paid.
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1. Take a good look at your cupboards
Before you think about heading to a supermarket, take a look at what you’ve already got. You may be surprised what you can make with pantry staples, and with a few tins of tomatoes, pasta and some herbs, you could have a delicious pasta dish in no time. There are plenty of free apps and websites where you can enter in all the ingredients that you’ve got across your fridge, freezer and pantry and get meal ideas. And not all of them have to be beans on toast. Doing a quick inventory can help you to avoid buying what you already have and save some money along the way.
2. Hit pause on your subscriptions
All those little extras that we love, streaming services, daily coffees, in app purchases, they can all add up very quickly. You don’t have to cancel everything permanently, but temporarily pressing pause can free up just enough to cover the essentials. Most services allow you to cancel or freeze your account without losing your data or your preferences, so it’s a surprising thing that you can save quite a bit when you’re not auto paying for things that you barely use.
3. Get onto cashback apps
If you do need to buy something then use a cash back or loyalty apps to do it. Some supermarkets will offer you points or discounts for scanning a card or an app and cash back websites can give you a percentage back on everyday spending. It’s not usually that much at the moment, but even a few pounds saved here and there can make all the difference when money is tight. Plus, it’s satisfying to get a bit back just for buying what you needed anyway.
4. Be upfront with your bills
If you know that you won’t be able to make a payment on time, the worst thing that you can do is ignore it. Many landlords, utility providers, and service companies are quite flexible, but you just have to ask. A quick phone call or email explaining your situation can often lead to a payment extension or a temporary plan. Sure, it may feel awkward, but being honest now can help you to avoid those late fees, the interest, or disconnection later.
Getting to the next payday doesn’t have to be a panic. With a little planning and creativity, you can make some cuts and get things going the way it should. These habits can then help you long after payday has come and gone.
