How to Take Charge of Your Financial Situation

Are you struggling with your current financial situation? It's estimated that over 70% of Americans are stressed about money. This could, in part, be due to the constantly rising cost of living. Here are some things you can do to keep your bank account filled when your 9-5 job isn't cutting it.

Cash Advance

Now, of course, a cash advance is not a long-term solution, but it's a great option for when you're in a pinch and need an extra bit of cash to get by. A bank cash advance could be used for many things, like if you overspent for the month and are a little short on your rent, owe a friend money, but haven't gotten your paycheck yet, or if you have an unexpected emergency like car trouble or a trip to the local medical clinic.

A cash advance helps to soften the blow of any hits to your bank account. The benefit of utilizing cash advance services from a banking app instead of a credit card company is that you'll avoid expensive fees and interest. Also, depending on the app that you get your advance from, you could have much more flexibility on the time constraints for paying back your cash advance. Even if you're someone who's careful with their money, a cash advance could help when you're faced with the unexpected.

Budgeting

You might hate to hear it, but budgeting is one of the best things you can do to guarantee more money in your bank account. When setting a budget for yourself, it's important to analyze your spending habits. Go through your banking history to see how much you're spending each month on things like rent, subscriptions, going out with friends, and other regular purchases. Then, compare your monthly spending to your monthly income. This will show you how much of your paycheck you're actually keeping in the bank.

To profit more, you might want to consider reeling in your spending habits. Instead of buying a coffee every day on your way to work, consider brewing it at home and bringing it to the office in a travel mug. Instead of going out with friends every weekend, suggest a night in with games or movies. Additionally, cancel any subscriptions that you don't use regularly-it isn't worth paying monthly fees for a streaming service if you're only watching one show. All of these can help you practice better spending habits and build a healthier financial foundation.

Add a Second Income

If the pay that you get from your 9-5 isn't enough to cover your cost of living and the lifestyle that you want to have, then you should consider finding a way to make money on the side. Here are some ideas for how you could do that:

Rideshare

Rideshare apps are becoming increasingly popular, especially in more urban areas. Working for one of these apps could be a great way to earn extra money on your own schedule. As a driver, you would have the opportunity to pick and choose the jobs that you wanted to do and the hours you wanted to work. This is a great way to make extra money while meeting new people and exploring parts of your city that you might not have seen before.

Delivery

Similar to rideshare, working for a delivery app offers a flexible way to earn money. These apps offer a flat rate per hour that you're working, but you also have the opportunity to make a lot of tips. The way to make the most money as a driver is to work during peak days and hours, so primarily nights and weekends. If you work a regular 9-5, this could be perfect for you.

Babysitting

Babysitting can be an incredibly rewarding way to make extra money, and it's a service that the majority of people need. To grow your business, start by offering to babysit for family members and friends. If you do a good job, the families that you babysit for will likely recommend you to other families, helping you to grow your business. The only downside to babysitting is that it will offer a lot less freedom than other side hustles since your schedule will revolve around the families that you sit for.

Dog Walking

If you're looking for something with a little less responsibility than babysitting, then dog walking might be perfect for you. The old way to go about it would be to post ads for your business on local bulletin boards, but now there are apps that connect pet owners to people who are willing to exercise or board pets.