How to Survive Being Broke
By Ben Smith
So you’ve just been laid off. You’re frantic about what to do because you don’t have any savings. Your bills are not suddenly going to disappear. How in the world will you make it until you have a regular income again? Do not fear, because we have seven tips that can help you keep the cash coming in and pay your bills.
The very first thing to do before trying to make more money, is to eliminate all your unnecessary spending. If you have some optional monthly expense that you can do without, cancel it. Cut back on things like eating out, going to the movies, and anything else you normally do that isn’t absolutely essential.
Apply for any kind of work: If you are desperate for funds, one of the most productive things you can do is apply for a job, any job! It doesn’t matter if you’re overqualified. Some income is better than none.
Tell your friends you are looking for work: Let’s be honest. If you have a personal connection to a potential job, you are more likely to land the job than someone without it. Even if your friends don’t know of a full-time position that you are qualified for, they may know of something part-time that can help.
Find freelance work online: If you can write or take photos, you can find work online. Some websites offer talented freelancers the opportunity to make some extra income doing things they enjoy. When searching for freelance work, however, be careful about getting involved with any site that requires you to pay an initial fee. These can be scams to take your money and not deliver results. Look for reviews of the site from people who have used it, to be sure you’re actually going to get what you pay for.
Check the classifieds: You may think of the classifieds as a place to look for a full-time job, but lots of short-term opportunities also exist. You can take a look at both the newspaper as well as the posts on Craigslist in your area, to see if there is something you are qualified to do. Another alternative is to create your own ad announcing the services you offer. Again, beware of people that want your financial information before offering you work.
Sell your belongings: It may be painful, but desperate times call for desperate measures. You can hold a yard sale to get rid of some of the things you don’t really need. If you aren’t in the mood to hold a yard sale, you can try taking your more expensive items to a pawn shop in order to get some quick cash.
Sell your own body products: It’s possible to make a little money by selling plasma, sperm, or eggs. Human plasma is something that exists in your blood that you can be paid for. It’s not a huge amount of money, but it does add up, and it is decent money for sitting still for a few hours. Check with your local Red Cross if you are interested in selling plasma.
If you’re a man, you can contact a sperm bank to see if they are seeking donations. If you can make it through the rigorous screening process, then it is possible that you can get paid to donate sperm. If you are a woman, you can donate your eggs to be used infertility treatments. Of all the options mentioned here, donating eggs is the most lucrative. If you are interested, check with a local fertility center.
Welfare: If you are completely out of options and you simply have no way of making money, welfare may be the way to go. There are many different programs designed to help people who need financial assistance. Don’t let pride keep you from something that can help you get back on your feet. To find out what programs are offered in your area and their requirements, check with your local authorities.
So there you have it, seven great ways to keep some money coming in even in these tough times. Lacking a source of income can be a huge inconvenience, but it is possible to survive until you can land another full-time job.
