11 Changes To Help You Finally Get Ahead of the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle
If you’re living paycheck to paycheck, you may make less than the average worker.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median full-time worker earned a combined pay of $1,235 a week ( $1,098 for women and $1,362 for men) during the first quarter of 2026, bringing the yearly salary to $63,960 when multiplying the median by 52 weeks.
US vs. Canada: How Average Paychecks Compare
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However, other factors can make catching up on your finances feel like an uphill battle. MoneyLion tapped financial planners for advice on how to stop living paycheck to paycheck.
1. Advocate for Better Pay
Are you earning competitive pay for your job? Many people are unaware of what the job market will pay for their role, said financial planner, CLU, and ChFC Mary Brimer at Ginger Green Financial.
“It’s important to understand and re-evaluate your compensation against the going rate,” Brimer said. Analyze your income twice a year and compare it to the average pay for your role in your area. If you’re earning less, advocate for a raise, Brimer said.
“You want to ask yourself if there is a reason you are making less than [the] median pay — is it flex time, benefits, or is it due to a bad employment situation?”
“Sometimes all you need is a written offer from another company to share with your current employer to get them to bring up your compensation,” Brimer added.
2. Get a Side Hustle (or Two or Three)
Side hustles can elevate your income above the average worker. These can be anything from part-time jobs to dog walking, pet-sitting, childcare, personal assistant work, delivery driving and flipping items on Marketplace, Brimer said.
“One thousand dollars a month extra in a household already spread thin [can] provide significant relief,” Brimer added.
3. Automate Everything
Another strategy Brimer recommended is to automate your regular bills. This way, you won't miss payments and get charged late fees. Another benefit of automating payments is discounts. Taking $10 off on your phone and another $10 off your internet bill lowers your monthly expenses by $20 while helping avoid those late charges if the due date slips your mind.
If you use a credit card, Brimer recommended “setting a convenient due date and automating the payment in full.” Never carry a balance, she said.
“Carrying a credit card balance when living paycheck to paycheck is akin to drilling a hole in your own boat while trying to row it.”
4. Don’t Acquire Consumer Debt
Credit card interest rates can go as high as 36%, according to WalletHub. That’s approximately $60 a month on a $2,000 balance.
Financial coach David Wangberg of Wangberg Financial Coaching recommended “saving up and paying for everything using the cash that you make.”
“This means no credit card, no car loans, and certainly no Buy Now, Pay Later options,” Wangberg said.
When your income is limited, make sure you can afford what you buy with the money you bring home, Wangberg added.
If you absolutely need a credit card to build credit or pay bills, Brimer recommended keeping your credit score high. This will enable you to get “favorable interest rates when borrowing, lower [your] insurance premiums, and support your ability to get a job where a credit and consumer background check will be requested.”
This means paying off your complete balance in full when the statement comes in.
5. Create a Written Budget and Stick to It
Use an Excel spreadsheet or budgeting app to track your monthly expenses. This will allow you to see where every dollar is going, Wangberg said.
“The app I use is Every Dollar, but there are other options such as Monarch Money, You Need a Budget and Rocket Money.”
Seeing where you spend the most can help you make adjustments, such as dining out less, cutting subscriptions on items you rarely use and limiting food delivery, which can come with high fees.
6. Keep Your Credit Score High
Higher credit scores receive more favorable interest rates when borrowing, lower insurance premiums and support your ability to get a job where a credit and consumer background check will be requested.
7. Never Co-Sign for Anyone
If you are paycheck to paycheck now, you cannot afford to be burned by family or friends. Don't even co-sign a student loan for your child. You are not a bank; banks are in the business of lending so if they deny someone credit, there is a good reason. Plenty of well-meaning people have co-signed unsecured debt and been burned.
8. Don’t Acquire Consumer Debt
Save up and pay for everything using the cash that you make. This means no credit card, no car loans, and certainly no Buy Now, Pay Later options. When your income is limited to a certain amount, you want to make sure you are able to afford what you can with the money you bring home.
9. Take Advantage of Coupons
It may sound silly to younger generations, but acquiring coupons for things you need can save you so much in the long run. Nearly every grocery store has a weekly or monthly newsletter that explores all the deals they offer. If you need milk or bread for the next week, and they have a deal, clip [or download] the coupon and stock up on as much as you can.
10. See if Your State Owes You Money
A great resource to see if you have unclaimed money is MissingMoney.com. It pools from all 50 United States treasurers, as well as Canadian Provinces. It’s a great resource for those who have lived in one or multiple states to see if you have money to claim.
11. Shop Around for New Insurance
Auto and health insurance prices go up almost every year, and we as consumers grow accustomed to just paying it without noticing. It’s good to check every year, before the renewal date, to see if there are other options out there that cover the same necessities for a cheaper price.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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