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11 Smart Money Moves When You Only Have $100 Left From Your Paycheck

Being smart with your money is more about sense than dollars.

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Updated July 2, 2025
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Payday is finally here, but after you sit down and pay bills, you're left with only $100 till your next paycheck. You spend your days wishing and hoping that your money will last till the next check — not anymore. 

Here are some smart money moves to make your money go further.

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Cancel a monthly subscription you're not using much

Ngampol/Adobe woman using car for online shopping

More than 85% of subscriptions go unused each month. With the average monthly subscription costing subscribers $32.84, canceling could save you cash each month. 

Even if you genuinely use your subscription, consider swapping it for a lower-cost option or going without it for a few months.

Sell unwanted items for extra cash

Pixel-Shot/Adobe Woman packing things for garage sale

Every month, the average person spends almost $300 on impulse purchases. Even if you don't shop that much, you have probably spent money on stuff you don't need.

The good news is there are plenty of places to sell those items for extra cash. Online marketplaces, local Facebook pages, and garage sales are just a few options where you can flip your unwanted stuff for a buck.

Start a side hustle

Sundry Photography/Adobe Lyft UBER on car rear window

The average millionaire has seven income streams, but you don't need to be a millionaire to have a side hustle. Side hustles can be as structured as a second job or as casual as babysitting for neighbors occasionally.

Side gigs can help improve your cash flow and increase your income. Diversifying your income with a side job can also help protect you against financial instability, such as job loss, unexpected expenses, or health issues.

Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt

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Avoid dining out

Viacheslav Yakobchuk/Adobe african american housewife cutting vegetables

While dining out is convenient, meals from the drive-thru can add up fast. Eating at home costs significantly less. You can save around $15 per meal by cooking for yourself. 

Even if you opt for frozen or prepackaged meals from the grocery store, you can still enjoy convenience without the restaurant price tag.

Visit a local food pantry

Dragana Gordic/Adobe volunteers packing food in boxes

Most food pantries don't require proof of income or financial need, but you may need to provide ID and proof of residence to be eligible. 

Each food pantry organization may have a limit on how often you may visit and what quantities are allowed. You may be able to get provisions for anywhere between a few days and a few weeks.

Shop at the Dollar Store

dennizn/Adobe Dollar Tree shop online signage

Not everything at the dollar store is worth buying, but there are many items that can help you through lean times. You can shop for pantry essentials, cleaning products, and paper goods all in one place. 

The quantities are often smaller than what you buy at big-box stores, but you can still get quality items from name brands.

Shopping pro tip: This month's best deals

InsideCreativeHouse/Adobe couple using credit card

July is here, and with Independence Day on the horizon, it’s the peak of summer. That also means peak season for red-hot deals and unbeatable savings. Now’s the time to save big on:

  • Grills, coolers, and outdoor living upgrades
  • Travel must-haves for road trips and beach days
  • Swimwear and summer fashion
  • For grocery savings, grab seasonal produce like watermelon, peaches, and tomatoes

As fireworks fill the skies, retailers are quietly making room for back-to-school inventory. That means July is your chance to scoop up summer favorites while the deals are still blazing.

Skip the meat

The Toidi/Adobe Fresh meat display at grocery store

Research shows that people eating a plant-based diet spend less on food when cooking at home and eating out. For example, Lentils are often used as a vegetarian substitute for ground beef. A pound of ground beef costs $5.94 vs. $1.92 for a pound of lentils. 

Incorporating more vegetarian meals into your diet can help alleviate the stress on your pocketbook.

Sign up for loyalty programs

MelissaMN/Adobe man using Kohls shopping app

Many brands have rewards programs that give you deep discounts — or even free items — to encourage you to sign up for email and/or text marketing. You can use these to save money or get free products when you're low on cash. 

Most brands also send you a free gift on your birthday. Just make sure you don't use a good deal as an excuse to spend money.

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Walk or bike to get around

Halfpoint/Adobe business man walking on street

If you filled up your gas tank on payday, you'll want to make that last as long as possible. While walking or biking will take you longer, it can reduce your gas bill — along with wear and tear on your car. 

It also has an added health benefit, which is great, especially if you cancelled your gym membership.

Stop buying gifts

juliasudnitskaya/Adobe golden present boxes on wooden table

Between all the holidays and birthdays throughout the year, gift-giving can feel more like an obligation than a thoughtful token of love and friendship. 

Rather than buying gifts, consider writing a thoughtful card or making someone a homemade treat to show them how much they mean to you.

Shop around for insurance

glebcallfives/Adobe man shopping online using laptop concept

You may assume that all insurance carriers are about the same, but shopping around for new insurance could save you hundreds of dollars throughout the year.

Don't just shop around for car insurance — evaluate your policies for renters, homeowners, life, health, and any other type of insurance you need. You may be able to save more by bundling policies with the same company.

Quick tips: How to prepare for economic uncertainty

Kirsten Davis/peopleimages.com/Adobe calculator laptop and hands of man calculating

Uncertain times call for a review of expenses that goes beyond simple cost-cutting. Here are some steps for you to consider:

During challenging economic periods, try to focus on what you can control. And remember that financial resilience isn't built overnight.

Bottom line

Nana_studio/Adobe woman saving pennies in piggy bank

If you've only got $100 left from your paycheck, you can still be smart with your money. Taking proactive steps to increase your income and decrease your expenses can improve your financial situation. 

These tips can help you stretch your dollar to get you through until the next pay period and put more cash in your wallet.

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