Question: This year I want to be able to save money, but right now it is difficult and I find myself living paycheck-to-paycheck. I am making my monthly payments on time, but I can’t seem to save or even enjoy the money I do make. Do you have any suggestions to help increase my income?
Answer: According to a CNN.com article from November 2017, in the United States “unemployment inched down to 4.1 percent, the lowest since December 2000.” That same article also sites that “wages took a step back. They grew only 2.4 percent in October compared with a year earlier.”
Although many are employed, the wages they earn aren’t sufficient to keep up with inflation and the rising cost of living. Most would say: “Get a better paying job.” But at times it isn’t that simple. You may actually enjoy the job you have, the people you work with, or maybe even your work schedule. Here are a few ideas to help increase your income:
Part-time job. The tried-and-true method of making more money is taking on a second job. You can look for another job or work from home. Part-time jobs add up.
Many people are getting creative and selling their skills. A talent that seems ordinary to you might be extraordinary to someone else. Can you speak a second language? Perhaps you can be a tutor or help companies as a translator. Are you good with pets? Many people are looking for someone to watch Fido or Kitty while they are on vacation. Are you a good cook? With today’s hectic schedules people are looking for alternatives to fast food; a personal cook may be a niche that needs filling.
Just think, if you cut grass for five of your neighbors for $50 twice a month you will earn $500 a month. That is $6,000 a year!
Renting. Do you have an extra bedroom in your house? You may want to consider renting out a room and taking on a roommate. In this economy, many single people are looking for others to help ease the cost of rent and utilities. With the rise in rentals, a roommate could lighten some of that financial stress.
You can also rent out your room to visitors. Airbnb has made a few headlines on Guam lately. I was surprised to see how many rooms/houses were available on Guam. If you are interested in turning your home into a rental, be sure you follow the correct procedures and visit the Department of Revenue and Taxation, or you could run into some costly penalties.
Skill and worth. Ask your boss how you can be more valuable to your company or organization and what you would need to do to earn a higher wage. Take what your boss says and do it. It may involve gaining additional skills, a degree or certification. The most important asset to a company is human capital. It takes a lot of money to train and hire people. If you can stand out and show incentive to want to make a difference for the company, it may just pay off in the long run.
