7 Tips for Budgeting on a Low Income

If you are working on a low income, you probably need help with budgeting. We’ve collected some tips for budgeting on a low income that will help you learn to manage your money.

7 Tips For Budgeting On A Low Income: The Basics

Once you start embracing these strategies, you will free up more room in your budget.

1. Trim The Fat

One of the first tips for budgeting on a low income is to look for ways to trim your expenses. We all have simple pleasures that we allow ourselves to enjoy. However, on a low income we have to look for ways to cut these expenses out of our lives.

Moderation is key. Instead of going out for coffee, you could try brewing at home. Instead of getting ice cream after work every day, only do this on Fridays. This will help you save more money in your budget.

2. Gas, Gas, Gas

Gas prices are rising, and this is probably hurting your wallet. You can look for alternatives to driving to work every day. These could include walking, taking public transportation, or even carpooling with a coworker. Not only will this help you save money on gas, but it will also help to reduce traffic.

3. Eat More Carbs

Are you eating enough carbs? They are cheap, filling, and nutritious.

Carbs have been a staple food for thousands of years and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Spaghetti with sauce is inexpensive, as well as filling. If you really want to cut down on costs and don’t mind eating the same thing every day, a large bag of rice will go a long way.

4. Brave The Heat

Summer is here, and the easiest thing to do is throw an air conditioner in the window and forget about it. This might not be the best idea though if you are looking for tips for budgeting. 

Every minute with the A/C running is money quite literally flying out the window. So, prioritize your cool air time. If you know it’s going to be a hot one at night, maybe temporarily turn the A/C off during the day to really maximize your sleep comfort later. 

5. Round Up

Another one of the tips for budgeting on a low income is to round up your purchases. Do you want to spend five dollars? Think of that as eight dollars which is pretty much ten bucks. This might as well be fifteen dollars.

The philosophy that you are spending much more than you actually are may seem frugal, but that is the point. If you are budgeting on a low income, you need to be more frugal.

Whenever you are about to buy something for any reason, stop and think “can this money go anywhere more important?” Most of the time, the answer is “yes”.

This philosophy can also be applied to fixed incomes like gas and utilities. If you round the cost of everything upwards, somewhere down the line the money you thought you spent will be right back in your pocket when you need it most.

6. Relax…

Some of the best things in life are absolutely free. A stroll in the neighborhood or a swim in a river is not only completely free but you also aren’t actively spending money while doing these activities.

This can be helpful, especially on weekends when we may be more inclined to treat ourselves. Instead of buying that six pack, throw a baseball with your kids. Go for a jog. Finish that artwork you’ve been procrastinating on. Free, relaxing entertainment will always help you on a low budget.

7. Sell Your Old Stuff

You can also get by selling your old stuff. If you have any antiques, old collectibles, or items you no longer use, you can do this online through various websites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. You can also sell them in person at a garage sale or thrift store.

Get A Car Title Loan Online

Another option that you can consider if you need to cover an emergency expense on a low budget is applying for a car title loan online. This can help you by giving you the fast cash that you need, based on the value of your vehicle’s title.

All that you need to do to get a title loan online is start the simple online application. You will need to provide these items:

• Your driver’s license or another valid form of government-issued photo ID
• Your vehicle’s lien-free title
• Your vehicle so it can be inspected

Once you have all of these materials gathered, you can get started on getting a car title loan today.

Final Thoughts

Budgeting on a low income can be hard. However, these strategies can help you learn to manage your money in an effective way that will help you get ahead financially and in life.

Note: The content provided in this article is only for informational purposes, and you should contact your financial advisor about your specific financial situation.