Job security is a thing of the past and even if you are employed, you may be underemployed. This, coupled with rising inflation and depreciating value of many currencies, makes it difficult for us to have fiat left over after we are done paying for our necessities. Needless to say, the best way to gain more money is to invest in yourself and hone your competencies so that that pay raise and promotion are not elusive ideals but realities of your life. But if you are anything like me, you would rather make some changes to your lifestyle right now because they are within your control. Here are some ways in which I try to “find” more money.

1. Quit smoking and drinking. I don’t smoke in the first place, but I have reduced my alcohol intake to 1, at most 2, cans per week. I normally drink that can of beer on Friday night, and boy, does it taste heavenly.
2. Quit eating junk food and drinking lifestyle beverages. Here, I have to confess that McDonald’s has locked me in into an addiction because having a meal there is the tried-and-tested way to pacify a difficult toddler, especially when the kid’s meal comes with an emotion-appeasing toy.  I have better luck with quoting my latte intake though. Each cup of latte costs an extravagant $5, so these days I steel my will and order mineral water instead.
3. Use a mobile wallet and/or credit card that gives you cashbacks for spending. Sometimes, you cannot avoid spending, especially when your missus’ idea of a good life differs from yours. Still, as the saying, “happy wife, happy life” goes, I reckon it’s important not to sweat the small stuff and just spend more money on better quality experiences (typically dining ones) that will boost her morale. In instances like this, using a credit card that gives you some cashbacks  makes you feel better about spending.
4. Undertake environmentally friendly practices. There is a paper recycling machine on my way to work. So I have been diligently consolidating all loose papers, books and cardboard boxes from my workplace and home. Every time I redeem $10, I use it to contribute towards my boy’s college fund. It ain’t much but it helps me be more motivated at work since I’m paying myself in more ways than one.
5. Attend user interviews/focus group discussions. Organisations are also keen to speak to actual users so that they can gather authentic insights and find out the strengths and areas of improvements of their products and services. Such opportunities only come by once in a while, so you can be sure that I sign up to be interviewed whenever possible. Due to the pandemic, such interviews have crossed over to the virtual realm. Being interviewed on Zoom is rather mentally and physically exhausting compared to its face-to-face equivalent, but the feeling of another person hanging on to my words never gets old. It’s a thrill for me to get some monetary incentives just by talking.