Getting through the last few days of the month can be a struggle, especially when petsa de peligro is at your heels. During this lean period leading up to payday, you often find yourself weighing every financial decision—even with the smallest expenses—to ensure that what’s left of your monthly budget won’t quickly be depleted. While this situation can be overwhelming, there are several things you can do to manage your finances more effectively until payday swings by. Here are some practical strategies to stretch your budget and help you stay afloat during these critical days.
Know the State of Your Finances
Before taking any action, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of your current financial situation. Guessing or assuming how much you have left can easily lead to overspending, since you might underestimate the impact of small, accumulated expenses that could strain your limited funds. As such, taking a few minutes to review your available cash, pending bills, and any expected expenses before your next payday can help you avoid making financial missteps. Having a better grasp of your finances also allows you to prioritize essentials and set spending limits, enabling you to manage the final stretch of the month with less stress.
Refrain from Making Impulse Purchases
When finances are already tight, giving in to unplanned purchases can easily derail your budget. Even though the cost of purchases, like snacks, takeout meals, or sale items, is seemingly harmless, it can add up and leave you with less money for essential expenses.
That’s why, during petsa de peligro, it’s especially important to differentiate between needs and wants. Practicing discipline at this stage can make a significant difference in whether you make it comfortably to your next paycheck. One effective approach to managing impulse purchases is creating a simple list of necessary purchases and committing to it before stepping into a store or opening a shopping app. This ensures that you focus on the essentials and avoid straying from your budget, keeping unnecessary spending in check.
Use Your Credit Card Points Strategically
Credit card rewards can serve as a valuable lifeline when your budget is stretched thin. Instead of letting your points sit unused or redeeming them for non-essential items, you can use them to cover the cost of everyday necessities—significantly easing your financial strain. Keep in mind, however, that not all credit cards have the same redemption process. Thus, be sure to familiarize yourself with the specific rules and guidelines for redeeming points to maximize their value.
The Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card, for instance, has a straightforward rewards redemption process. Each point is equivalent to PHP 1, and the points you accumulate can be used as a discount on your next purchase at Landers. To use these points, simply follow these steps:
- Tell the cashier that you want to pay using your Landers points. The cashier will request you to tap your card on the terminal and will guide you as you pay.
- Choose how many Landers points you’d like to use. A minimum of 500 points is required to start paying with points.
- Pay the rest with your card. Once you confirm your points, the remaining amount will be paid using your card.
To earn points, simply use this Maya credit card for a variety of purchases. This cashback credit card offers up to 5% cashback at Landers, 2% on dining spends, and 1% on all other qualified transactions,* giving you plenty of opportunities to accumulate points.
Consider Additional Income Streams for the Time Being
If you’re consistently facing financial difficulties towards the end of the month, it may be time to explore additional income streams, even if just temporarily. Relying solely on your main source of income can sometimes leave little room for unexpected expenses, making it harder to get through petsa de peligro.
As such, finding small but steady ways to supplement your earnings can help ease the financial pressure. Side gigs and freelance opportunities, for instance, can provide a welcome financial boost during tight times. Leveraging your skills, whether it’s writing, graphic design, or tutoring, allows you to earn extra income on your own schedule and space. Another option is renting out underutilized items, like your spare phone, bike, or camera, to generate short-term income. What’s more, selling preloved items offers a practical way to quickly raise funds when you need them most.
Save Your Loose Change
Though it may seem like a small gesture, saving your loose change can make a noticeable difference when you’re running low on funds. Collecting coins and small bills in a designated container, whether it’s a jar or coin bank, helps you build up a reserve without feeling the impact on your day-to-day spending. Over time, this small habit can result in a surprising amount of savings, providing a small cushion for unexpected expenses or helping you cover essentials during the final days of the month. While it might not solve all your financial challenges, the practice of saving your change builds financial discipline and reminds you that even small efforts can lead to meaningful results.
*Transactions that don’t qualify include: cash in, cash advance, quasi cash purchases, casinos and gambling, fuel, supermarket, pharmaceuticals, utilities, telco, and government.
