[USER]

Ok guys! I need advice tips and tricks! I need to save at least 2 months of my monthly income ($6,000) by February as I will be on LOA for surgery and would like to have financial security.

My car has 207,000miles on it currently – I’ve been thinking of doing food delivery services just temporarily and picking up any extra shifts as I am allowed.

Anything else I am missing?

Is this an achievable goal by February with nothing in my savings?

[Wendy]

Are you in a state where you can get paid family leave during your recovery?

[Francess]

what can you sell? ive seen people work many many hours of food delivery to make 10k but they re working 12-18 hours per day

[Allison]

I don’t think you can earn that much between now and February, but you could earn something. I would recommend something like pet sitting if you can be away from your home for overnight.

It’s hard to find overnight pet sitters and they make the most money.

I would think with the holidays here, you should be able to find customers.

I don’t know what the requirements are to be on the sitter website, but I’d check that out.

If you have a 401k at work, temporarily stop contributing to it and put that money in your savings account.

[Linda]

Work out a payment plan. I think hospitals are sort of required to do that.

[Rona]

Depends does it take all your income now to make it for the month? It’s gonna be hard to save that amount so quickly.

I won’t say impossible because there is always a way. If possible could you move the surgery a few more months out?

I would sell what I can.

Work as much as possible at any side gigs and make sure I have a true account of my expenses. .

[Alicia]

Something that may help a little with electric/gas bill is to hang dry your laundry as opposed to using the dryer!

We try to be frugal like that, as well as not touching the thermostat, especially since our gas bill skyrockets during the winter.

I would be mindful of your appliances and see if you’re able to get lower utility bills in the meantime

[Rachel]

Word of warning regarding deliveries – Check your car insurance. Most won’t cover an accident if you are driving for any service like Uber or Spark delivery.

Also, without knowing how much you can trim from your budget it’s hard to say.

If you already work full time then I’m wondering if your employer offers short term disability coverage to provide pay while you’re off.

I’m also admittedly dubious that $6000 is a two month reasonable goal for a side job.

Anything is better than nothing though.

[Tia]

It’s not what you want to hear but you probably cannot save 2 months of pay in the next 2 months unless you don’t spend a single cent on anything.

You may have to postpone your surgery

[Christina]

Food delivery is unfortunately not as lucrative as some people make it seem.

It did not make sense for me to do after setting aside money for taxes and wear and tear on my car. I would make more money with a regular part time job.

The only person I knew that it made sense for, was a friend whose parents paid for his gas, insurance, car maintenance, and car payment…

[Sally]

If you haven’t had surgery in the last 12 months look into donating plasma for cash

[Kiersten]

Unless you got a second full time job and cut a bunch of expenses, I’m not sure how you could save 2+ months of income in a month and a half.

I, personally, would be wary of getting a delivery job when my vehicle had that many miles but would be looking for any and all holiday gigs I could and cutting as many expenses as possible to build up that cash reserve

[Linda]

Cut your utilities back NOW, so when the bill comes it won’t be as high. Think zero, but don’t freeze yourself or make yourself sick.

Sooo, close off heat going to extra rooms–you can even sleep in the living area or something so you can close off the bedroom—but make sure each room stays above freezing to protect pipes.

Keep windows treatments closed except when the sun shines in or you need them for light.

Don’t turn lights if you can get by without them. You’d be amazed what you can do with little or no light–think blind.

I had a friend once who was blind and it changed me. I often grope around or walk in semi-dark when I don’t need to read or see detail. But be safe.

Don’t open refrigerator unnecessarily. Decide what you want before you open, plan the most efficient way to get all that you need at once.

Close between openings. And the fuller the freezer is the better it will cool, so if you have extra room, partially fill some containers with water and put them in there.

Don’t wash small loads of clothes. Better yet, don’t wash unless you absolutely have to. I.e., many clothes stay looking nice longer if you don’t wash them often, so only wash when they are dirty.

Hand clothes inside out to air between wearings.

If inside out, check to make sure it is not soiled before you put on. Keep your body clean instead, wear aprons, etc..

Don’t use the clothes dryer–big electric drain. Rig some lines, racks, use rods, etc for what you do have to wash during this time.
Give the dishwasher a vacation.

Instead of running the dishwasher, rinse most dishes as soon as you use them and set out to dry or dry right away.

If you can’t do that, soak them in a little bit of water before washing.

If you have a toaster oven, use it instead of your big oven.
Unplug just about everything not in use–almost everything these days has some light or something on all the time.

Cut down on your TV time–read, take walks, talk to friends, write letters, etc. instead.

I know you’ll want it while recuperating from surgery, but cut it down now while you are active to save on bills that come in later.

Cut down on your driving NOW to save money now and get in a better habit for later.

Stop buying NOW anything that is not absolutely necessary.

Use less of your toiletries–or not at all–while you get through this patch.

A little dab will do you definitely works for toothpaste and other things.

[Melissa]

Probably not. That’s only 6 weeks away!?!
Other readers take note: an emergency fund is crucial. Start now working on it.

Try to sell things. People are not big on frivilous spending after Winter holidays.

Try the delivery gig, sell things, donate plasma. Go ninja on food and utilities.

Check if you will be getting a tax refund and filing the moment you can. Save every thing you can.

Continue what you can while you are not working. You may not get your goal but your accrued debt will be less and you can continue ninja and pay that off in less time.

[Caroline]

Go to food banks now, explain situation, and they may give you extra. I’d ask anyone who gives you Christmas gifts to give you cash instead.

[Johnson]

So many variables
I’m in northern California

So, I just had an 800 week doing Postmates via Uber Eats
But they sent more that 400 as a benefit for being in CA

300 to 400 are my highest weeks I guess

[Tommy]

So, you try to save 6 grand in 43 days? Will you have lots of bills at the end of the month?

I know I couldn’t save that much in that short amount of time. Maybe try to sell something you no longer need?

Not sure delivering food would be enough to meet your numbers.

I believe people will be spending less on food orders because they over extended themselves on gifts.

For me I like to do yard work so I would ask neighbors if they would like me to take care of their leaves.

[Chiu]

If you have friends and family that asks you what you want for Christmas say cash. Also, I have a very nice dslr camera that I let people borrow for a small fee.

I like to detail cars so I could do that also but it’s very cold where I’m at now.

[Joanne]

If you live in the USA and your State has temporarily disability pay that you pay into as part of your job’s tax deducuctions, you could file for that.

I know in my state, you can file for it while on maternity leave and you get part of your amount of your salary.

If you are having surgery, you would have a doctor to verify on forms that you need time off work. It could replace part of your income if this is a possibility.

Otherwise, I don’t see how you could earn 2 months worth at $6,000 = $12,000 in such a short amount of time.

You could work part time and save some money but not the total. You would be able to get food from food pantries so that would help a little.

Cut out any unnecessary expenses now and try and save money while in your full time job.

See if you have anything you can sell on Facebook Marketplace of eBay.

[Teri]

Check for a pharmacy in your area that uses delivery drivers to deliver meds/supplies

[Trena]

Not being a Debbie-downer, but trying to save two months of income in 1.5 months (before February), or even 2.5 months (end of February), is going to be EXTREMELY hard unless you’re in a position to have no expenses or have the ability to temporarily double your salary with almost no cost.

If you have no expenses, then it’s possible. Otherwise, anticipate it will take SEVERAL more months before you get to your savings goal.

[Amy]

I have paid for gift wrapping in the past. Also, paid someone to come and clean the kitchen after a big family meal during the holidays.

Maybe you could provide those services.

[Stacey]

If you want to do it you will be motivated. Go for it. You will be better off for every penny you put away.

(Says me who has had to use my emergency funds and then some numerous times in the last two years.

But I’d be worse off if I never had any money to begin with!!!)

[Linda]

Considering the mileage on your vehicle, I would be loathe to use it to make money.

Find somewhere close that needs temporary help on your off hours if you can manage it until your surgery and sock it away.

Maybe some place that might in the future allow you to work remotely if you have good computer skills.

[Author]

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