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| Managing monthly expenses and increasing limited income |
How to Control Your Monthly Spending When Your Income Is Limited
Let's be honest. Have you ever opened your bank app on your mobile phone, looked at your balance, and asked yourself, "Where did my paycheck go?" 😅 Believe me, you're not the only one who feels this way. Life has become extremely expensive; rent is skyrocketing, food prices are skyrocketing, and gas is merciless. And when your income is limited, managing your monthly spending and saving money turns from a simple task into a complex game, the rules of which change every day.
But before you lose hope, let's understand one important thing: it's not impossible, and you don't need to be a financial expert or download dozens of apps. The key is to make small changes to your daily habits and adopt a smart strategy for handling every riyal or dollar that comes into your pocket. It's like a "survival mode" for your wallet, and every calculated step makes a huge difference.
Why does money fly by so quickly?
If you're getting paid every two weeks or once a month, you'll likely feel fine the first few days, only to suddenly find your account nearly empty. The problem isn't that you're "spending too much." The truth is that every pound or dollar is distributed across various expenses: rent, food, transportation, bills... the list goes on. If you don't allocate a purpose for each riyal from the start, it will disappear without you realizing it, and that's when financial stress begins.
This is the first lesson: assign each pound a specific purpose before it's spent, so you don't find yourself at the end of the month needing to borrow or stressing over bills.
Change your mindset: Not "broke," but "strategic."
No one gets rich overnight, and with a limited income, any small mistake can cost you a lot. But that shouldn't prevent you from living a better life with what's available. Instead of saying, "I can't afford that," tell yourself, "I won't buy it now." Celebrate small accomplishments, like saving 50 riyals or paying a bill on time without penalty.
Saving doesn't mean deprivation; on the contrary, it's financial intelligence. The whole point is to eliminate what's not valuable so you can focus on what's truly valuable.
Simple Steps That Make a Huge Difference
Let's get into the practical details. How can you make your salary last the whole month? Here are some tried-and-true ideas:
The Envelope Method: Put cash in envelopes labeled (food, gas, entertainment). When the envelope is empty, it's gone. No more spending.
Reduce luxuries: You don't have to buy coffee from a café every day. Just calculate it at the end of the month, and you'll be surprised at how much you save.
Cook at home: Takeout food consumes money faster than you think.
Buy used: Clothes, furniture, or household items from a used store or outlet. Save big and don't feel ashamed.
Cheap Entertainment: Instead of paying for multiple subscriptions to different platforms, choose one and switch every once in a while.
The Simplest Budget That Works for Everyone
The 50-30-20 rule is simple and easy to implement:
50% for essentials: rent, food, transportation
30% for luxuries: entertainment, outings, subscriptions
20% for savings or debt repayment
If your income is very limited, you can adjust the ratios: 70% for essentials, 20% for luxuries, 10% for savings. It's important to have a consistent system so you don't get stuck before the end of the month.
Plan for Emergencies
The biggest enemy of a budget is emergency expenses: a flat tire, a sudden doctor's visit, or even a surprise party. The solution? An emergency fund. Even if it's just 200 riyals, it'll be enough to avoid debt or overdrawing your Visa. Try to automatically save up to 50 riyals each week. Small amounts add up over time and provide significant financial security.
Low income? Increase your sources
Savings alone may not be enough. Here, we need to consider increasing your income. Some ideas:
Work for Uber or Careem on the weekend
Sell used items on Facebook or auctions
Freelance work online: writing, design, translation
Part-time work like babysitting or dog walking
Even an extra 100 or 200 riyals can make a huge difference at the end of the month.
Support is important – you're not alone
Many people feel alone in this battle, but the truth is that most families in America and around the world struggle with the same problem. Join online groups or forums about saving; you'll find new ideas and feel like you're not the only one struggling.
Think long-term
Your goal right now could be "to get through the month without borrowing." But if you look ahead:
Saving 50 riyals every month = 600 riyals a year
Reducing debt = money that would have been wasted on interest
Learning to manage monthly expenses and save money when your income is limited is not only for your own benefit, but it will also benefit your children and make them financially smarter in the future.
The Bottom Line
Money is a means, not your true value. No matter how limited your income, there's always room for movement and change in your life. Managing your monthly expenses doesn't mean you're perfect, but it does mean you're aware, in control of your decisions, choosing your priorities, and building your future with small, steady steps.
So when you feel drowning in bills, remember: I'm not a failure, I'm just still learning. With each smart step, you'll find your life easier, and your money will be more than enough.
