This has become a majorly important topic for me since I too barely scrape by each month. Since being laid off a few years ago, I have tried to make sure that I always have at least $1,000 savings that I do not touch. Sounds like a lot, but really, that money would only get me through a few months, so I've pretty much trained myself that if it hit the $1,000 mark, I'm officially in the danger zone. That alone ensures that I have a few months to try and get back on track if I get hit with every expense imaginable at once. & these past few months, I've lost one part time job & walked away from an unhealthy one, added to mondo vet bills, so now I'll really be putting these recommendations to the test. :giggle:
For my own ways to scrape up & keep cash:
-find a hobby you enjoy (making items, cooking, gardening, petsitting/dogwalking), and try to find a market for it. Luckily, I've found that I truly enjoy sewing. & even though I don't make a ton doing it, I have made enough to barely scrape by. So, when I am able to add that to a few day a week part time job, the pressure is eased financially and I still get to spend a large portion of time at home doing something I enjoy. Honestly, I'd love to find some neighbors looking for a dog walker (since I walk every day anyway), but have yet to be so lucky.
-enjoy being a cheapskate. this got easier as I got older. I've learned to live without the frills. We have our dsl (needed for my business), but beyond that it's just the basic phone/long distance, over the air free tv, and library for our cds/books/dvds (which is unbelievably up to date with new releases, I always have at least 10+ great things to watch). Our food is mostly local/organic/bulk, very little junk food. Clothing "splurges" range between $20-$60 at goodwill, and I'm always thrilled with finding new-to-me great conditioned items. & craigslist when I'm looking for something in particular.
- Change jar. We drop our change into it year round, and use that money for our "black friday" fabric shopping. Or an emergency if it was ever needed.
- haven't had much luck here with this, but I've heard other areas do well with yard sales. I myself prefer to save myself the time & just list on craigslist. I figure it'll hit a wider audience as well.