6 Things To Do If You’re Barely Scraping By Financially

Last updated May 30, 2026 | By FinanceBuzz Editors

You've got just enough money in your bank account to last until Friday … but then Monday rolls around, and you're in the same situation. Again.

Food. Bills. Rent. Gas. They dry up every bit of your take-home pay. 

But it doesn't have to be this hard. With a few smart moves, you could supplement your income — without doing much extra "work," or even getting a side job!

Here's what to do:

Quick ways to earn cash without a second job

  1. Give plasma: You can typically make anywhere from $30-$70 each time you give, with some centers offering new donor bonuses as high as $700 for the first month. Plus, you can go as often as twice a week.
  2. Sell your stuff online: You can sell just about anything on Facebook Marketplace with relative ease. From clothing to furniture to kitchenware, if you have stuff just taking up space, see what you could earn listing it online.
  3. Use money-earning apps: Take surveys, test games, upload your shopping receipts … the list goes on. There are a ton of apps that offer rewards and cash for various simple tasks. In fact, you’ll find some options in this list.
  4. Sell unused gift cards: Seriously. If you have gift cards lying around, you could sell them for up to 92% of their value with sites like CardCash.

Set up direct deposit - pocket $400

Set up an eligible direct deposit with SoFi Checking and Savings and you could pocket a bonus of up to $400. Make the switch, set up direct deposit, earn the bonus. It basically takes no extra work at all other than following these steps. 

Why people are switching: This account earns up to an insane 3.80% APY1on savings (3.10% APY standard + 0.70% APY boost for six months) on top of that $50 or $400 bonus.2 That's way better than the measly 0.38% (as of 4/20/26)3 national average savings accounts offer. 

No monthly fees and no surprises. Open your account and earn up to a $400 bonus

Take this quiz to connect with an advisor and see if you can retire early

Could you retire sooner than you think? Americans who work with a financial advisor expect to retire around two years earlier on average, according to a recent study.4The right plan and a second set of eyes on your finances might move your timeline up more than you'd guess.

Our advice: Take this 3-minute quiz from Finance Advisors. Answer a few short questions and get matched with a vetted fiduciary advisor who serves your area. From there, you can receive no-obligation quotes and decide who's the right fit.

Join thousands of Americans already using Finance Advisors to find a fiduciary they trust.

Take the quiz

See if your credit card debt is eligible for this debt relief program

If you have a lot of debt, getting out of it can feel stressful (and nearly impossible). Here’s the problem: the longer you put off tackling it, the harder it may get to fix. If you don’t take control of it early on, it can add undue stress to your life for years. But what if there was a way to get out of debt once and for all?

National Debt Relief could help. If you have more than $30,000 in debt from credit cards, medical bills, collections, or personal loans, their certified debt specialists may be able to help you resolve your debt for less than you owe — with one low monthly program payment.

Best of all? There are zero upfront fees, and you could be debt-free in 24-48 months. To get started, just answer a few simple questions and get connected with a caring debt specialist. The consultation is completely free and only takes a few minutes to see if you qualify!5

See if your $30k+ in credit card debt is eligible for National Debt Relief

Find creative ways to earn cash during your free time

  1. Thrift and flip: Head to local thrift stores, estate sales, or pursue free listings online. With a little skill and elbow grease, you could repurpose old furniture and other goods and sell them locally or online.
  2. Do work for older neighbors or family: From mowing the lawn to helping replace light bulbs, chances are there is someone nearby who could use your help. Beyond making a few extra bucks, they are sure to love the company.
  3. Haul large items with your truck: If you drive a pickup, you could advertise haul-away or large item delivery services in your area on sites like Craigslist.
  4. Pick up photography: You don’t need to have an official business or work weddings for this side gig. Head out to festivals, nightclubs, or popular areas in your city and offer to take people’s photos. Then airdrop or email the photos of your subjects for a small fee.

Pay no interest into 2028 with this no annual fee card

If you're struggling to pay down high interest debt (or you're planning a major purchase this year), this might be the exact thing you need. There's a card that allows you to completely pause credit card interest into 2028 ... and the best part is that it could be easier than you think.  

BankAmericard® credit card is an extremely powerful card that gives you 0% intro APR for an astounding 21 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers. (Then APR is 14.99% - 25.99% Variable.) That's right — you could finance large purchases you've been sitting on without paying massive interest. Or, transfer crippling high interest debt to this card and let your payments go directly to paying down your balance, without piling on additional interest charges. 

And here's what makes it even better — there's no annual fee. So every dollar you're saving on interest stays right where it belongs: in your pocket. If you've been waiting for the right moment to tackle your debt or pull the trigger on a big purchase, this card is hard to beat.

Apply now for the BankAmericard® credit card 

Save up to $2,000 on every flight you take (yes, it’s crazy)

Sounds kind of insane. And maybe you’re skeptical if this actually works or not. But either way … you’re probably curious. If you want to save a ton on travel (even international), Dollar Flight Club makes it so you could potentially pay less for any flight you take.

They’ve been helping travelers save since 2016 (so you know they’re the real deal), shipping crazy flight deals straight to your email — up to 90% off normal price for many flights. Just pick your destination and let them do the rest. They hunt deals 24/7 so you don’t have to.

Now, some insider info: They *do* offer a free version … but it puts you on a 2-3 month waitlist. Skip the wait and get instant access to the best deals with a Premium+ membership instead. For a limited time, FinanceBuzz readers can try Premium+ free for 14 days!

How to try Premium+:

  1. Enter your email at the link below.
  2. Pick your departure airport and dream destinations.
  3. Enter your payment info and start your free trial of Premium+.

This is the fastest way to unlock the best flight deals that could save you up to 90% off flights. At the end of the trial, you’ll be upgraded to the $99 per year membership.

Enter your payment info here to start your free Premium+ trial

Earn up to 5% cash back at restaurants and home improvement stores with this incredible card (unlock up to $1,070 in value over the next year!)

There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing welcome bonus and benefits. Apply for the Discover it® Cash Back (Rates and fees) and you can earn up to 5% cash back at restaurants and home improvement stores now to June 30, 2026, on up to $1,500 in purchases when you activate. 

There's no annual fee, and Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. This generous welcome offer and the top-notch cash back rewards provides an estimated $1,070 value in the first year!6 Plus, you'll earn 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically. The welcome offer combined with the up to 5% cash back reward rate could be worth up to 10% cash back in the first year!

This card also offers an intro APR of 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then APR 17.49% - 26.49% Variable. That means you could use this card to fund large purchases or even potentially get out of debt. If you dine out or shop at home improvement stores even once a month, this card is practically a no-brainer!

Click here to apply now for the Discover it® Cash Back.

Pick up gig work from a trusted website

  1. Deliver packages with Amazon Flex: Use your own vehicle to deliver Amazon packages during your off-hours. According to Amazon, most drivers can earn between $18-$25 an hour.
  2. Do odd jobs on Taskrabbit: Sign up to be a tasker, and choose small jobs in your area in over 50+ service categories. You get to keep 100% of what you chargem, plus tips. Tasks can include moving furniture, running errands, IKEA assembly, and more.
  3. Pick up freelance microtasks: Check out a freelance platform like Upwork and look for postings for simple tasks like data entry, proofreading, image tagging, and more.
  4. Event staffing: You could pick up work for events like weddings, business conferences, or festivals. Just do a quick internet search for companies in your area. Beyond pay, some people report scoring added perks like free food for their time.

Turn your home’s value into extra cash

If you want to pay a large expense now, like a home improvement project or credit card debt, you may have considered using your home equity as leverage to borrow a large sum of money.

But with interest rates rising in recent years, a cash-out refinance or home equity loan may not make financial sense.

Here’s a potential solution: Get a home equity line of credit (HELOC) instead.

Using LendingTree’s simple HELOC matching tool7 (yes, the company from the commercials), you can compare rates and see what works for you.

How a home equity line of credit is different: Your line of credit acts similar to a credit card, where you can withdraw funds when you need them, and you’re only responsible for minimum monthly payments for what’s called the “draw period,” which is usually 10 years. After this borrowing period ends, you pay off the rest of your balance during an extended repayment period, which is usually 20 years.

Plus, as a revolving line of credit, rates are usually variable, so you won’t be locked into a fixed rate if they ever go lower.

To get started:

  1. Check out LendingTree’s HELOC matching tool.
  2. Answer a few questions.
  3. Be matched with personalized offers for you.

Visit LendingTree

Give your teen the money app they actually want

When it comes to their money, you want to give your teen freedom — but you also want to see what they’re doing. Most accounts give you one or the other, but not both.

Cash App solves this problem. It’s a secure way for teens to manage money with your help,8and Cash App is U.S. teens' favorite financial services brand for payments.9They can send, spend, and even save, and best of all, there are no monthly or hidden fees.

Check your teen’s activity, balance, and transactions, set limits to build habits responsibly, and know when they send money to someone new. They can even design their own Visa debit card1011 and get instant discounts at places they already shop!

With Cash App, you can give your teen the freedom they want with the safety of your oversight. Download the app today.

Download Cash App for free today

Ask this company to help you pay off your late tax debt

Past-due tax debt is overwhelming.

It weighs on your mind and causes massive anxiety. You end up emotionally and physically drained. Even worse when the IRS starts sending letters threatening wage garnishment and huge fines.

Easy Tax Relief is designed specifically to help you get out of tax debt faster and could reduce some of the debt you owe.

While most tax companies just put you on a payment plan and file your taxes for you, Easy Tax Relief talks to the IRS directly. They can help you pay off your tax debt faster while potentially reducing what you owe.

Important: Not everyone will qualify. To take advantage of this special program you must owe more than $10,000 in past-due taxes.

Answer a few questions to get started

Access up to $500K of your home equity with no additional monthly payments

If you want to access your home equity — but don’t qualify for a traditional HELOC — Splitero could be perfect.

How it works: Splitero is a Home Equity Investment product that bets on your home's future value going up. You get cash now, and when you cash settle, sell, or refinance, you give Splitero a small portion based on how much your home is worth then.

(By the way, if your home value decreases, the value of the percentage Splitero is entitled to also decreases. That could be a lot safer for you.)

Splitero is rated “A” by the BBB and you can use the money however you like. Pay off debt, renovate your home, or invest, all without worrying about additional monthly payments.

You may qualify if you:

  1. Have some equity in your home — 30% or more.
  2. Have a credit score of 500+.
  3. It’s your residence, and you live there.
Enter your home address here to pre-qualify in less than 2 minutes

Earn a $200 bonus with this incredible cash back card

The Chase Freedom Unlimited®(Rates and fees) lets you earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening

In addition to this welcome offer, this card lets you earn cash back on everything you buy. Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

And it gets better (really): This card also gives you 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. That means you could finance large purchases or pay down high-interest debt for over a year. After the intro period, the APR is 18.24% - 27.74% Variable. Oh, and the annual fee is $0

It's almost a no-brainer to apply. 

Good or excellent credit (typically 670 or higher) is recommended.

Click here to Apply Now to the Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Take control of high interest debt payments

If you have credit card debt, that monthly bill could feel impossible when your bank balance is already running on fumes.

This new tool could help you regain control over your debt quickly. You’ll get tailored recommendations and matches from companies based on your debt situation that could help you pay down your debt quickly and possibly with less interest

Here’s how to get started:

  1. Click the link below.
  2. Answer a few quick questions about your income and financial situation.
  3. Securely connect your accounts through Plaid (banking, savings, credit cards, debt, investments).
  4. Instantly receive a personalized debt solution plan, including which companies could best match your situation.

This service is 100% free. Click the link below and see which programs you might match with.

Click here to see which options you could match with

Let's find you a better credit card ... or help you save on the debt you already have

If your credit has taken some hits, getting approved for a new card isn't always a sure thing. But that doesn't mean you're out of options.

Answer a few quick questions and we'll try to match you with a card that fits your situation. And if a new card isn't the right move right now, we may still be able to help you lower the interest you're paying on existing balances — which could save you real money every month.

Free, no commitment, and no impact to your credit score.

See my options (no credit impact)

Earn $250 by doing this

Few things in life are this simple. Open this account, route two qualifying direct deposits of $500 or more within 75 days, and a $250 bonus lands in your new account.12

Most bonus offers want you jumping through hoops. Not this one. Just a couple of paychecks routed in and the bonus is yours.

Get your $250 bonus

Earn a bonus worth $250 to use toward your next flight or hotel 

If you're planning a trip, apply for the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card here and you can earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days of account opening. That's worth $250 toward travel!

There is no extra work beyond the spending requirement to earn the early spend bonus, no annual fee, and no foreign transaction fee. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card also lets you earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center and 1.5 points per $1 spent on everyday purchases. 

Redeem points for a statement credit toward travel and dining purchases, gift cards, cash back, or merchandise. If you travel even once a year this card could be worth it and could net you $100s in rewards to use toward travel. Don't delay - apply today!

Recommended for good or excellent credit.

Click here to apply for the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card now

Earn 10% cash back on your next Walmart purchase

If you're still using an account that charges monthly fees and you earn next to nothing on your savings, you need to try OnePay. When you bank through OnePay, you get a mobile banking app and secured credit card with no monthly fees, no minimum balances, and no overdraft fees.13

Sign up for OnePay here and you can earn 3% cash back on Walmart, gas, or dining on up to $150 spent per month, with eligible deposits.14On top of that, you can earn 3.35% APY on your savings with eligible deposits15and get paid up to 2 days early when you set up direct deposit.16 And you can earn 25¢/gallon extra cash back on your first gas purchase.17

You also get fee-free overdraft with eligible deposits,18fee-free cash withdrawals at 55,000+ Allpoint ATMs worldwide,19and free bill pay with eligible deposits.20

Limited time offer: earn 10% cash back on your first Walmart purchase made within your first month, on up to $200 spent.21

Open a OnePay deposit account today

National Debt Relief
4.7
info
National Debt Relief Benefits
  • No upfront fees5
  • One-on-one evaluation with a Certified Debt Specialist
  • For people with $30,000 in unsecured debts and up
Visit National Debt Relief