by Elisha. This post may contain affiliate links. 6 Comments
Are you trying to figure out how you will pay your rent this month?
Times can get hard in life. We all go through ups and downs. When certain times arise you have to decide how to deal with situations. Are you a glass half full or half empty kind of person?
Paying bills can definitely get out of control. One of your biggest bills is your rent. The cost of rent raises every year across the globe. It’s inevitable that your rent will go up (unless you’re in a rent control area).
The cost of renting an apartment is on the rise. Residents that live in a high rent growth state, like New York and California, definitely feel the pressure of overpriced rent.
What do you do when you are in a bind and can’t pay your upcoming rent for the month?
This list will give you some ideas of how to pay your rent when you don’t have enough money to pay for the upcoming month.
1. Ask A Church Or Local Charity For Help
Plenty of churches assist with bill payments. Sometimes you don’t even have to be a member. Churches often are open to helping people from all backgrounds and religious denominations.
They will probably need proof of your delinquent rent amount and some form of ID maybe.
Contact a church in your local community to find out more. Also, check with any local charities or organizations such as the United Way.
2. Explain Your Situation To Your Landlord
You may be able to work something out with your landlord. Especially if you are a good tenant that always pays on time.
Most rental properties don’t want to lose a reliable tenant. One that doesn’t give them any problems. They may be able to let you make the payment next month.
If you are handy or have some type of bookkeeping, website design or administrative skills, see if you can work out some type of barter deal with the rental office.
3. Have A Rent Party
Host a party and charge about $5 or $10 at the door. Tell your guest you’re trying to raise money to pay your rent and donations are welcomed. Buy drinks and party snacks. 50 people at $10 each comes up to $500…not bad.
Great start towards paying your rent.
Just be mindful of the noise and time you host your party. If parties aren’t your thing host a brunch or dinner party and charge per plate.
4. Get A Loan From A Reputable Establishment
I don’t usually agree to loans. But, if it’s a decision between you losing your home then, it’s an emergency. And a little debt sounds better than being homeless.
A loan might be the best choice in this case. As long as you can afford the monthly payments to pay back the loan in a timely manner. The interest rate should be reasonable too.
Go to a bank and see if you qualify for an unsecured line of credit. An unsecured line of credit isn’t attached to any assets unlike an equity loan. A personal loan from a family member is another option.
5. Take In A Roommate
Whether it’s temporary or permanent think about finding a roommate ASAP. Charge them this months and next month’s rent.
Wah lah, there’s your rent money!
Ask around in your circle if anyone is looking for a place to live or if they know of anyone who would be interested in moving in.
Be careful about taking in strangers (STRANGER DANGER!). Search for roommates on reputable sites and interview them thoroughly. Make it clear how long you plan for the roommate to live with you.
Write up a rental agreement for legal purposes. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. State your ground rules to be clear of what’s expected so there won’t be any confusion.
6. Sell Your Stuff
Do you love to shop? Is your closet packed to the rim with designer purses, bags and wallets? Maybe you have a thing for buying expensive outfits and shoes and never wearing them.
Think about very expensive items to sale such as electronics….TV’s, unused phones, tablets, laptops and desktops.
Look around your place to see if you can gather up enough of your belongings to host a quick weekend sales party at your place or sell items through Facebook Marketplace or Ebay.
7. Get A Part Time Job or Side Hustle
Look for a part time job or side hustle to cover the missing amount of your rent. Especially when you find yourself struggling to pay your rent every month. A little extra money will certainly come in handy.
Think across the lines of driving for Lyft/Uber, completing surveys, mystery shopping, tutoring, virtual assistance work, starting a blog or freelance writing. These two post have a list of more side hustle ideas:
Closing
Paying your rent is definitely a top priority. Don’t let this bill lapse. If you are short on money for that month miss a utility payment or something. You don’t want to be out of a home.
I hope these tips help if you are struggling to make the payments on your rent.
Sometimes you may just need to get on a budget to help with managing your money. Download a copy of your very own budget worksheets here.
4 Benefits To Why You Should Use A Written Budget Worksheet
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