Everyone wants to be financially secure yet there are still millions of Americans living paycheck-to-paycheck. Breaking this vicious cycle is difficult and time-consuming and requires determination to lift yourself out of your financial struggles. These are some quick tips to help take control of your finances.

Shift your mindset

Good money habits start in your mind. Right now, you’re probably in survival mode. But I want you to go from surviving to thriving. Make the decision that you won’t be a victim to your circumstances and that you’ll do whatever it takes to handle money the right way. Start having a winning mindset!

Increase your income

This could mean applying for a higher-paying job, or picking up a side hustle or part-time job on weekends or at night. I understand it can be really hard to take on more work, but I promise your sacrifice will pay off.

Get out of debt (and stay out)

First, save up a $1,000 starter emergency fund so you can have a buffer while you’re paying off debt. You can do this by going through all your stuff and figuring out what you can sell, working some overtime, or finding ways to cut back on expenses until you have $1,000 stashed in a separate bank account.

Build a fully-funded emergency fund

This fund should have enough money to cover 3 to 6 months of expenses (housing, food, etc.). That way, an emergency becomes more of an inconvenience than a big disaster. You can rest easy knowing you’re prepared for the future.

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