Almost 78% of all workers in the U.S. live from paycheck to paycheck, according to a report by job website CareerBuilder. About 23% of Americans say that this was always the case for them. What’s worse is that among the 81% of workers who have worked a minimum wage job, over 71% couldn’t sustain themselves on what they earned during that time.
The survey was conducted by The Harris Poll for the firm, with over 3,462 full-time U.S. employees in different industries as its respondents. These are troubling statistics; it means that people don’t often get to save for a rainy day.
If you’re one of the people who continuously have to make ends meet, there are many creative methods you can consider, apart from getting a title loan, to earn fast cash.
Share Your Ride
The sad reality about being employed in America is that you often have to find a side job to be able to pay for your bills and have enough cash for savings. One of the more lucrative side hustles is ridesharing. A Salt Lake City Uber driver could potentially earn about $15 an hour, according to Glassdoor.
Apart from a car and a driver’s license, you may need to provide proof of residence – and you’re good to go. Just fill out the driver forms on their website, and they’ll give you instructions on what you need to do. Earnings for this side hustle depend on the location you’re in, the hours you put in, expenses, and more. The Street, a financial information page, noted that a driver in New York City could earn an average of $24 per trip. Those in less busy cities like Chicago and Phoenix may receive as low as $10 per trip.
Deliver on the Side
If you’re not keen on having passengers onboard your car, you can always be a Postmates or UberEats driver. You get to deliver food, groceries, and more on your own time. Since your days will depend on how many people want to get things delivered in your area, your earnings won’t be set in stone. According to rideshare information site Ridester and financial advice page The Penny Hoarder, Postmates claimed at some point that their drivers might earn up to $25 an hour. Depending on the city, an average UberEats driver may earn around $13 to $16 an hour.
Sell Some of Your Clothes
Selling your stuff for a quick buck is common practice, but you may earn more than you think when you sell your clothes. A report from one of the largest thrift stores in America, ThredUp, the clothing resale market continues to grow because it meets the modern consumer’s inclination towards value, uniqueness, and sustainability. The market was valued at about $24 billion in 2018. The company projects that this value will double, reaching over $51 billion in 2023.
Retail analytics firm GlobalData supplied the data for this report. It surveyed over 2,000 American women about their opinions on buying secondhand products. More than half of them say that they’re willing to purchase resale products. Those who are eager to buy also belong to the baby boomer and millennial generations. Go ahead and raid your closet for clothes you don’t wear anymore. Somebody might pay top dollar for it.
Having enough money for your needs and wants isn’t an easy feat to achieve. You may have to work extra hours on a side hustle or sell some of your things to make ends meet. Save what you can and don’t forget to treat yourself once in a while. It’s worth the peace of mind that you have funds to land on if times get rough.
