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financial responsibility

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People share 15 real ways they escaped living paycheck to paycheck

"Be willing to accept that you might not be entitled to the lifestyle you have."

Image via Canva

People reveal their financial strategies for no longer living paycheck to paycheck.

Living paycheck to paycheck is becoming the norm in the United States. According to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, more than half of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. It is a financial reality that has many looking for financial solutions and frugal living habits to get ahead.

On Reddit, member @_DontStayTheSame_ posed the question: "How in the hell do you escape living paycheck to paycheck?"

People who have figured out how to successfully avoid living paycheck to paycheck chimed in. These are 15 of the best financial tips and advice they offered.

save money, saving money, paycheck to paycheck, frugal living, finances Money Invest GIF by Sara DietschyGiphy

"Take everything I have done pre 35 and do the exact opposite. Only use your credit cards for things you will be able to pay off quickly. If you are buying a car and thinking "That is close but I can do it" for the payment, find a cheaper car. Do what you can to live below your means. If you are a smoker, quit." —User Unknown

"Living below your means is key." —@Orual309

"Better advice would be to find ways to improve your income but live below your means while you do so you can save up enough to improve your situation long term. Too many people raise their lifestyle with their income without ever taking the time to set themselves up for long term financial stability. That’s how you get people making six figures but somehow still living payday to payday. Obviously if you only make enough to survive until your next pay there’s nothing you can do financially to fix that, it has to be some other kind of change enabling you to make more money like going to school or just applying for better jobs." —@Sparcrypt

for shizzle, for real, money saving tips, save money, money advice Colin Jost Snl GIF by Saturday Night LiveGiphy

"I might get some hate for this but... Live with your parents or only rent a room. Yes rent is expensive as hell and it sucks but sometimes you gotta suck it up and just get roommates. Easier to live with roommates than paycheck to paycheck in my opinion." —User Unknown

"Be willing to go back on lifestyle to fix your financial picture. Be willing to accept that you might not be entitled to the lifestyle you have. People think overspending means fancy cars, vacations, and expensive properties, but it doesn’t. It can mean buying a boring commuter car and a house. The baby steps are the first thing:

$1000 emergency savings, and a budget. Look back through your transactions for months to see what you actually spend, don’t just guess at your categories.
all consumer debt paid off. You should never be carrying a credit card balance. That’s a financial emergency, so if you are, save only $1000 for an emergency fund and put all else toward that debt.
3-6 months of expenses saved in a savings account or no-risk investment with immediate liquidity (this is $15,000 for me, for 3 months, for example.)
minimum retirement targets met, most importantly taking any employer matching
invest for other goals like property, children, etc., depending on your needs

Once you’re there, you can use whatever is left over after those savings strategies and your expenses as a discretionary fund. A lot of folks spend discretionary before they have the baby steps accomplished, and it keeps them in debt and living pay check to paycheck, or waiting for that next big cash infusion from something like refinancing their house. The key is discipline. It’s tough, it really is. Seeing the 5 figure deposits to my bank account and knowing that it’s already spoken for can be tough because it’s tempting to want to spend it on a nice car (I’m a car enthusiast) or some other hobby thing, but I know I can’t do that." —User Unknown

car, financial advice, affordable car, car payment, cars dance dancing GIF by Real Canadian SuperstoreGiphy

"We are literally about to pay off two cars. Both payments total about $900 a month all together. I didn’t want two car payments at one time, but we both needed a more reliable car at the time. That’s not horrible for two car payments, but it’s going to free up $900 a month for us…. Which is amazing considering my wife is now stay-at-home with a baby. We have started cooking at home, avoid eating out at all costs, only drink home-brew coffee, use grocery points for cheaper gas. I’ve started taking my trash and recyclables to the dump myself, we have cut Live-TV and every streaming and subscription platform we don’t use at least once a day. We don’t, nor have we ever, lived paycheck to paycheck. It’s just nice to save money. The only thing we are splurging on now is a cleaning lady once every two weeks for $140." —@MockASonOfaShepherd

"For the TV and streaming, I do one service a month and my cell phone comes with Netflix as a perk. Each month I subscribe to one service for only one month, and watch everything I want on that service. When that ends I let it expire and don't renew. I switch to another one for the month and watch everything there. I get a new collection each month to binge and it doesn't cost me any extra unnecessary money." —User Unknown

"Also, learn to use Excel. Being able to visually see where your money goes, all at once, can make your spending make a lot more sense." —@valvilis

excel, excel spreadsheet, spreadsheet, budget, budgeting Heart Love GIF by Microsoft CloudGiphy

"Just buy more money, it's not rocket calculus." —@faceeatingleopard

"This. Also don’t order out much. 1 fast food meal everyday of the week (depending on where you go) could have you spending an extra $100 a week that could’ve been spent at the grocery store instead. Learning to cook is cheaper than fast food easily." —User Unknown

"Meet people, work hard, get lucky. Marry someone who is financially reliable and life is half as expensive. Switch jobs every 3 years because your raises probably won't keep up with the market. Be mindful of your finances. Avoid credit card debt if you can." —@cavemanfitz

"Look into a career whose skill sets will always be in high demand. I pursued my Airframe & Powerplant Certificate. Now I can save and invest. It even made my income-earning ability Covid-proof. Yes, I got laid off a week and a half after starting a new job at a major airline. But 6 weeks later (thanks to my A&P), I got an even better-paying job as a Maintenance Technician at a 3M plant. I bought my first house in 2020. In 2022, I reapplied at that major airline and got hired as a contractor. I took a temporary, and minor, pay cut. Then I got hired direct 6 months later. I’m making a very good living and I’m able to travel the world. For the folks that say 'not everyone can do that'… I started this journey in 2016, making $12/hr at McDonald’s, and renting a room. So I’ve walked in the same shoes as many of the folks that say it’s impossible. No, I don’t have any kids. But I did graduate A&P school with a guy in his early 40’s with 3 kids. From day 1 of enrolling in A&P school up to this very day… I had to keep a strict budget." —User Unknown

budget, budgeting, smart money, money advice, finances finances gifGiphy

"I made a budget and update it every 3 months to see what it costs to run our family. My goal is to 'pay myself' each paycheck, which is considered savings. The budget generates two numbers. One for expenses plus luxuries, i.e. eating out, alcohol, hobbies, gym etc the other is my expenses without the luxuries in case I ever had to leave my job etc. By putting aside an amount each pay I've aimed and achieved saving 6 months worth of expenses without luxuries. Since doing that, I've then started to make additional payments to my superannuation account/ retirement fund that I can't touch until I retire. Since making the budget it's been an eye opener on where our money goes and how much we can save by cutting out stuff that isn't really worth it. It has also allowed my not so financially minded wife understand our position and gets her buy-in when we set targets for emergency savings or goals for buying stuff for the house or amounts for holidays. It's not full proof and we still have times where most of the pay goes out to expenses that can't be avoided like bills and rates that might all come in at once but its definitely made us feel more in control and enthusiastic about saving." —@CallSignVip3r

"You can't "save" your way out of poverty. Budgeting won't solve the problem. Those are just platitudes told to placate the masses. They empirically do not work, but the freak exceptions make good 'feel good' stories. Networking or advancement are the only ways out. Networking works best, advancement takes too long, and is far more probability-reliant. Beg everyone you've ever known for job opportunities. Be shameless." —@EmbarrassedVolume

"Rich parents, good health." —@Legitimate_Field_157

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Family

Millennial mom teaches her 3 young children money management by charging them rent

Though the method has caused some parental debate, this mom says it's a great way to teach kids about money “in a safe environment.”

@samanthabirdshiloh/TikTok

Is it ever too early to teach kids about money?

Back in May of 2023, a Texas couple sparked a huge parental debate after saying that they charged their 19-year-old daughter rent after she graduated high school. While some thought it taught responsibility, others felt like they were merely adding another arbitrary obstacle for their child.

Now, if this was the response to a 19-year-old getting charged rent, imagine how folks might feel to hear about it happening to kids under 13.

In a viral TikTok, mom and personal finance influencer Samantha Bird shared that she charged her three elementary school-aged children rent and utilities each month. This method might seem unconventional, but Bird argues that it’s simply a way to learn about money “in a safe environment.”

Here’s how it works: each of Bird’s children (ages 6, 8 and 9) gets $6 a week for allowance. One dollar per week is expected to go towards one of three monthly expenses: rent, utilities or groceries.

“They track it on their budget trackers and other spending or categories happen after those payments. They set that dollar in a separate envelope for utilities, and then at the beginning of the next month, we charge them for their bill,” Bird explained.

For the most part, viewers loved the idea.

@samanthabirdshiloh We increased the boys allowance to accommodate them paying “mock” bills. I want them to have a sense of responsibility and learn how to manage expenses in a safe environment now! #budgeting #finacialfreedom #parenting #kidstiktok #kidsoftiktok #kidspersonalfinance #financetiktok #moneytips #debtpayoff #debtfree #debtfreejourney #debtfreecommunity #investingforkids #investing #personalfinancetips #moneymindset #moneymanifestation ♬ original sound - Samantha Bird

“It’s a great way to teach financial responsibility,” one person wrote. While another commented, “first I was like wow this is ridiculous. Then I was like man I wish I learned this at any point of my life.”

It also inspired a few comedic gems. Like:

“Should give them $5 per month but expenses are $6. More realistic.”

“No need for this. School will teach them all they need to know. Like parallelograms. Which comes in handy during parallelogram season.”

But her budget-conscious parenting style didn’t fully escape criticism. One person wrote “They’re too young for this. Chances are they’ll become hyper-fixated on money and be over anxious about it. I speak from experience.”

Another added, “Kids this age absolutely do not need to learn about expenses and bills. This is a perfect set up for creating financial anxiety.”

Experts over at MarketWatch, while they too had mixed reactions to Bird’s strategy, agreed that teaching money handling at a young age is crucial.

Kate Yoho, a financial adviser at Tennessee-based TBH Advisors said “starting them at that age is great,” adding “I love her strategy. It’s good and basic. Kids get excited about stuff when they’re little — especially money, because they don’t understand it.”

Meanwhile, Rick Kahler, a financial planner and financial therapist and founder of Kahler Financial Group in South Dakota, noted that while Bird’s strategy works for her, it is certainly not one-size-fits-all.

“When it comes to teaching kids money skills, there isn’t one way to do it. I applaud [Bird] for being aware that she has a responsibility to teach her kids money skills. Whether the way she is going about it is [right] is always one of subjectivity,” he said.

Yet another expert, Michele Paiva, a Pennsylvania-based financial therapist, warned that this specific type of “envelope budgeting” can be uninspiring and anxiety-inducing to kids. Which can also be true for adults as well. But she did also note that it’s a great way to teach math skills, as well as how to have constructive money conversations, especially when it comes to deciding how to spend the remaining money.

For Bird, it all comes down to teaching her kids valuable skills they’ll need as adults “while they’re little and this process still feels fun for them.” Not to mention she wants to protect them from going into heavy debt like she did. That’s why she not only goes over all things money management. She even talks with them about credit and the stock market.

Even if parents don’t plan on adopting this strategy for their own family, it’s important to find some way of instilling these skills. Yes, of course kids should be kids while they still can, but, just as in Bird’s case, children tend to love learning adult skills, especially when it’s presented in a fun way. Maybe with more ideas like this, we’ll finally have a generation of financially savvy adults that don’t have to make the parallelogram joke.

If you'd like to get even more money savvy content from Bird,—and check out her cool finance workbook for kids—follow her on TikTok.

From Your Site Articles

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These kids were asked what they’d do with a million bucks. Their answers are awesome.

True

One question has probably made an appearance in a lot of our daydreams:

Whether it's while gazing longingly out the car window, fantasizing about winning the lottery, or comparing out-of-this-world scenarios with friends, it's fun to think about what we'd do if money wasn't an issue. Our minds can go to some pretty fascinating and creative places.

The answers of these little rascals sure capture what many of us would think up if we dared to dream.

Who wouldn’t want to jazz up their wardrobe?

Or get psyched about stocking up on some bling?

Maybe you'd want to buy something cool just because you can.

(Don't pretend you've never thought about what you'd do with a billion and a hundred bathtubs. Who hasn't dreamed about doing this?!)

But even if these kids had bathtub convertibles lined with jewels that light up, it doesn’t come close to what they say matters to them the most: family.

As usual, amazing kids are showing us how it's done.

There's a whole lot more to life than just having a lot of money.

It'd be great to have a bajillion dollars. (And a garage full of bathtubs.) And there's no denying that life is a lot harder if you're not making enough money to afford you basic necessities.

But whatever you'd spend your imaginary gazillions on, there's a common thread that ties all of us together: It's the people around us that truly make us happy. In fact, the longest study in history came to the same conclusion.

So yes, money isn't everything. But the people you love? They sure are.

Why '80s and '90s babies see money a lot differently than their parents do.

True

OK, here's the thing: Millennials get a lot of flack. A lot of it.

As a millennial myself, I see where the stereotypes start and where they end, but I know one thing for certain: We're shaking things up. And in a world where the status quo isn't always right, that's not a bad thing.

A re-imagination of a Time magazine cover. Image by Max Gaines/Flickr.

Millennials have changed how some workplaces operate — shoutout to flexible work options and companies committed to social change. Millennials are the generation that helped elect the first black U.S. president and helped make social sharing an integral part of daily life, creating entire new industries to support it. The status quo is shifting.

But as much as the millennial generation is defined by advancement and a desire for change, it's also been shaped by hard economic times.

With fluctuating economies, a lack of financial literacy, mounting student debt, and the growing assumption that retirement is a luxury many just won't be able to afford, money is definitely on our minds.

Image via Damian Gadal/Flickr.

Is it in our conversations, though? There are so many benefits to talking about money. One of the biggest benefits is simply realizing that you're not the only one facing certain challenges. But even for millennials who seem pretty comfortable talking about everything else, not talking about money — aka the money taboo — is still somewhat the norm.

Why is that?

Talking about money makes people feel vulnerable — and that can be pretty uncomfortable.

When someone understands your finances, they understand so much of your life because money is, in many ways, the foundation on which we build our lives. And society itself has a complicated relationship with money. In an essay on the money taboo, Richard Trachtman cites psychologist Carol Lloyd:

"In a society that claims to be a classless meritocracy on the one hand and a capitalist paradise on the other, there is no acceptable level of wealth. We have to pretend to be equal even as we know ourselves to have vastly different opportunities depending on our income."

Money talk invites judgment. It also used to be seen (and often still is) as kinda rude.

Emily Post, the queen of manners, made it very clear in her 1922 book of etiquette that money shouldn't be a topic of social conversation:

"Only a vulgarian talks ceaselessly about how much this or that cost him... A very well-bred man intensely dislikes the mention of money and never speaks of it (out of business hours) if he can avoid it."

Change may be in the air, though. Millennials are speaking up and talking about money in ways no other generation has.

According to Facebook IQ, 40% of the financial conversations taking place there are driven by millennials, on everything from credit cards to investments.

Image via Elizabeth Hahn/Flickr.

So while in-person conversations about money may still be a little tricky to navigate, social media has done millennials a solid, offering a way to discuss money and poke fun at both the successes and struggles of financial management without feeling like a social leper.

Elite Daily — which calls itself "The Voice of Generation Y" on Instagram and has 1.4 million followers backing that claim — regularly pokes fun at the financial struggles millennials are facing.

Image via Elite Daily Instagram.

Needless to say, they're not shy about discussing the struggle, and they do it in a away that's so quintessentially millennial: memes. With thousands of likes and thousands of people tagging their friends on each post, it's an avenue for discussion and a good reminder that we're all in this struggle together.

Image via Elite Daily Instagram.

But, memes aside, millennials are actually pretty financially conservative.

And it's confusing the heck out of major industries, which are struggling to connect with the millennial audience to no avail. According to a Consumer Expenditure Survey, millennials aren't buying cars like previous generations did. And when they buy cars, they aren't driving as much. And houses? Well, millennials are passing on that too, for now.

Here's the thing: Millennials have seen how fragile wealth is.

With the stock market collapse, wealthy families lost the luxury of not discussing money. Middle-class and working-class families had to work even harder and stress the importance of money even further. Some never recovered after jobs were lost, parents aged, and income dwindled.

Image via Michael Coghlan/Flickr.

Millennials saw their parents struggling with the economy and arguing and talking about money.

Can you really blame millennials for being wary? We're more than aware of how big of a role money plays in our lives, and saddled with debt — student debt and national debt — there's a large hill to climb to feel some sense of financial stability.

So, are millennials really talking more about money? If not more, then definitely differently.

It's pretty clear that millennials are thinking about and engaging with money differently — our grandparents weren't commiserating on social media about living from paycheck to paycheck.

But are millennials talking about money more? The answer appears to be a cautious yes. The taboo still exists, but things are changing.

Image via Matus Laslofi/Flickr.

Reinventing the wheel is part of the millennial identity, and as people are trying to figure out how to manage their money on their terms and protect their children's futures, conversations are taking place.

One thing is certain: Times are changing and our relationship with money is a big part of that evolution.

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Talking to your boss, partner, or child about money? We got you.

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Talking about money is tricky business.

Think about it. Many of us share the most intimate details of our lives with friends and coworkers and even on social media. But money? That's still as taboo as it's ever been, and talking about it can get uncomfortable really quickly.

I know, right?! GIF via "Maleficent."

That doesn't change the fact, though, that there are important conversations many people need to have about money. Avoiding them can hurt our relationships and our financial health or those of our loved ones.

So where do you even start? And once you start, where do you go?

Whether you're cleaning the house, going to the gym, or asking someone out, no doubt the act of simply getting started can be a tough one. Just imagine having to do that with the money talk!

Luckily, we've gathered some helpful tips to get you started on three essential money conversations: with your boss, your partner, and your kids.

Tip #1: How to ask your boss for a raise

Help them help you. GIF via "The Office."

It may not seem super helpful, but the answer really is just ask (but be well-prepared, of course!).

Sounds easy enough. Yet for some reason, not many people do it. In a PayScale survey, 57% said they've never negotiated for a higher salary. We know it can be a scary thing to do, but you'll never know unless you ask, right?

Luckily, the numbers are in your favor. According to another survey by PayScale, 75% of workers who asked for a raise actually got one. Which is awesome, but don't forget to ask yourself an important question too: Why do you deserve the raise?

Once you answer that, you'll have an easier time getting the ball rolling and will be much more confident sealing the deal.

Tip #2: How to talk to your partner about money

Don't let it go here. GIF via "The Princess Bride."

The answer: honestly.

Clearly, this is a given. But when it comes to money, sometimes we need a reminder.

In a 2014 survey, one 1 in 3 adults admitted to committing financial infidelity on their partner. And that can manifest itself in a variety of ways — whether it's not being upfront about your spending habits, hiding your financial history, or just making secret purchases.

There's a reason money is the #1 cause of stress in a relationship, and arguments about money are a big predictor of divorce. But it doesn't have to be that way. By being honest at the onset and talking about money on a regular basis, couples can start a healthy dialogue that'll give everyone a much better grasp of how to deal with finances down the road.

Tip #3: How to teach your kids about money

This is clearly what NOT to do. GIF via "Black-ish."

The answer: WITH GAMES!

Money and math are rarely the most exciting topics for kids. And that's where playing games comes in! Susan Beacham, CEO of Money Savvy Generation, tells U.S. News, "Games become something you can use to open the discussion, so it's not always you preaching about money."

You can try a classic board game like Monopoly. Or download a fun educational app for them. Or even pretend to be a customer in your kid's make-believe store. The important thing is that kids learn the nuances of what's going on each step of the way, so that they become familiar with financial literacy early on.

It can be intimidating to talk about money, but there are ways to make it a little easier.

Taking that first step can be challenging, especially in this area, but having a plan of attack certainly eases the burden. Now that you have some starting points, the next step is to do just that — start!

financial responsibility

People share 15 real ways they escaped living paycheck to paycheck

"Be willing to accept that you might not be entitled to the lifestyle you have."

Millennial mom teaches her 3 young children money management by charging them rent

Though the method has caused some parental debate, this mom says it's a great way to teach kids about money “in a safe environment.”

These kids were asked what they’d do with a million bucks. Their answers are awesome.

One question has probably made an appearance in a lot of our daydreams:

The answers of these little rascals sure capture what many of us would think up if we dared to dream.

But even if these kids had bathtub convertibles lined with jewels that light up, it doesn’t come close to what they say matters to them the most: family.

There's a whole lot more to life than just having a lot of money.

Why '80s and '90s babies see money a lot differently than their parents do.

OK, here's the thing: Millennials get a lot of flack. A lot of it.

But as much as the millennial generation is defined by advancement and a desire for change, it's also been shaped by hard economic times.

Talking about money makes people feel vulnerable — and that can be pretty uncomfortable.

Change may be in the air, though. Millennials are speaking up and talking about money in ways no other generation has.

But, memes aside, millennials are actually pretty financially conservative.

Here's the thing: Millennials have seen how fragile wealth is.

So, are millennials really talking more about money? If not more, then definitely differently.

Starting a money talk can be awkward. But these tips may make it easier.

Talking to your boss, partner, or child about money? We got you.

Talking about money is tricky business.

So where do you even start? And once you start, where do you go?

Tip #1: How to ask your boss for a raise

Tip #2: How to talk to your partner about money

Tip #3: How to teach your kids about money

It can be intimidating to talk about money, but there are ways to make it a little easier.

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financial responsibility

"Be willing to accept that you might not be entitled to the lifestyle you have."

Though the method has caused some parental debate, this mom says it's a great way to teach kids about money “in a safe environment.”

One question has probably made an appearance in a lot of our daydreams:

The answers of these little rascals sure capture what many of us would think up if we dared to dream.

But even if these kids had bathtub convertibles lined with jewels that light up, it doesn’t come close to what they say matters to them the most: family.

There's a whole lot more to life than just having a lot of money.

OK, here's the thing: Millennials get a lot of flack. A lot of it.

But as much as the millennial generation is defined by advancement and a desire for change, it's also been shaped by hard economic times.

Talking about money makes people feel vulnerable — and that can be pretty uncomfortable.

Change may be in the air, though. Millennials are speaking up and talking about money in ways no other generation has.

But, memes aside, millennials are actually pretty financially conservative.

Here's the thing: Millennials have seen how fragile wealth is.

So, are millennials really talking more about money? If not more, then definitely differently.

Talking to your boss, partner, or child about money? We got you.

Talking about money is tricky business.

So where do you even start? And once you start, where do you go?

Tip #1: How to ask your boss for a raise

Tip #2: How to talk to your partner about money

Tip #3: How to teach your kids about money

It can be intimidating to talk about money, but there are ways to make it a little easier.