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Budgeting & Saving

How to stop living paycheck to paycheck

Break the cycle with a one‑month buffer, bill calendar, and automatic savings. Includes quick wins you can do this week.

7‑step plan

  1. List all bills by date; align due dates near payday.
  2. Build a $1,000 starter cushion in 30‑60 days.
  3. Split paychecks: bills → savings → spending.
  4. Track top 5 spending leaks (subscriptions, delivery, fees, impulse buys, gas inefficiency).
  5. Reduce interest: call to lower APRs; consider balance transfer (if appropriate and fee‑aware).
  6. Create a one‑month buffer account.
  7. Increase income (even temporarily) to leapfrog to Step 6 faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my bills are scattered?

Ask providers to shift due dates.

How big is the buffer?

One month of expenses. Start with $1,000.

Do I need a side hustle?

Not forever‑just until you build the buffer.