Here’s How to Get One Month Ahead Of Your Bills

Working the daily grind or running your own business? Ever thought how it would probably be nice to earn enough to cover all the bills, and have a little extra to pamper yourself with? It may be an uphill challenge, but definitely not impossible to get one month ahead on bills, with some “budget magic.”

Saying goodbye to a hand-to-mouth existence, or living from paycheck to paycheck, takes firm resolve. In fact, you can work at ensuring that you get one month ahead on bills. Here are three surefire ways to reach that blissful state, and continue to earn more than enough:

First, look for revenue streams beyond your regular but dismally low-paying day job. It can be by grabbing the best opportunity to earn extra, like turning a hobby into an income-generating endeavor. An alternative or additional way to earn extra bucks with flexible hours and low startup costs is ideal. Or you may grab the chance to kickstart a startup business from scratch.

Running a business you are passionate about, and being able to run it on your own terms later on, can be highly rewarding. When it comes to running your own business, though, knowing the risks, being attuned to what your target customers need, and having a Plan B are all crucial. Before anything else, though, you need to master the art of being reasonably frugal and figure out how to get on a budget.

Second, know that networking is key. Never underestimate the power of good referrals. They can open up opportunities beyond what you expect.  You may begin your side hustle with nothing more than a laptop, strong internet, and your skill set, but you can widen your client base through networking. Once you attract a captive market and get other new customers, you need to deliver on what you commit. Satisfied customers will then spread the word around and the good word-of-mouth will contribute to a robust bottomline for you.

Third, make it a habit to save. At the end of the day, that is how you can get one month ahead of your bills. Until you can control the urge to keep spending every extra income or “added paychecks” you work for, you will never really have a handle on your bills. See to it that you do not accumulate credit card debt. Piled up credit card debt can be like a ball and chain tied around your ankle.

In order to really save, you must learn how to budget your paycheck and  stick to your budget. Strive to slash spending by around 10 percent. Compartmentalize personal funds from business funds if you have started your own business. Better yet, grow your earnings using the power of compound interest.

 To save more than a paltry amount such as what a traditional bank account can offer, widen your investments strategies and include, for instance, peer-to-peer investing. Now if you still need to consolidate your debts, a reliable P2P lending platform like Blend.ph may show the way to financial freedom. You can borrow with ease at a competitive interest rate. Simply navigate to the online site, then get verified and approved for a loan fast. Following monthly budget tips will allow you to pay off the loan in no time at all.

Staying On Track

Use the funds you have allotted to pay off bills for that intended purpose. It may be tempting to use extra money to buy material stuff you have long wanted, such as trendy gadgets or expensive footwear, but remember your main financial goal. You must ingrain that you are working towards a more worry-free and financially secure future. All the unexpected expenses may totally derail you. Worse, they can cause you a great deal of time to get back on track financially.

In order to build your `month ahead’ savings, you can use tools that will help you save  time and money. Paycheck budget app options and sites that offer cash backs as well as P2P online platforms that may enable you to diversify your personal revenue streams or investments are well worth trying.

If you are the family breadwinner, you may have encountered emergencies that drained your personal savings.  This is where contingency funds may come in. Have none? It may be high time you devise a plan or pool funds to create an emergency fund.

Having one will help you eliminate undue stress that comes with being unprepared for life’s most financially challenging times. Once you have gained the upper hand on expenses, you can begin rolling over extra money to the following month. Having the extra amount each month to create a one-month buffer eases financial pressure.

Taking Control of Your Finances

Overall, succeeding in being one month ahead of your bills actually rests a great deal on saving for a rainy day and having an emergency fund. Managing the limited funds you have at hand or budgeting paycheck, and not blowing all the extra income you make on unnecessary things will be the “gamechanger” for you when it comes to financial health.

Know what to release, such as clutter and habits like impulse buying or buying on a whim using credit card. At the same time, focus on what you can stash, or grow, like the funds that you do have. Get things in order now and unlock fresh new opportunities to attain your goals faster or to maximize earnings.