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Abstract

t to college.I had worked some jobs throughout high school and earned a bit of money.Given that I didn’t have very valuable skills, I couldn’t earn a high hourly rate.So, I went to school and studied computer science. At the time, I was fascinated with the subject.I remember how much I loved the creativity involved in developing software.I also knew that software engineers could earn a decent living.<h1 id="926c">Cut down on spending</h1>This was a serious lifestyle change for me. I used to spend every cent on shoes and clothing.Now, I had to delay gratification and think about my future.To get out of this stressful cycle, I made the decision to stop spending on useless things.I didn’t need to have the latest iPhone. I didn’t need to have a fancy car. I didn’t need to wear designer brands.By reducing the money I spent on luxury items, I imm

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ediately noticed that there was more money left in my bank account. Go figure.I could invest this money or save for a rainy day.<h1 id="4563">Work hard</h1>I had to work hard to get out of this doom loop.While working at startups, I put in more than 40 hours a week.I spent time learning outside of my day job. I invested in myself.I read books on personal finance, business, and technology.Working hard isn’t easy.But neither is living paycheck to paycheck.Financial stress sucks. I’ve been there.If you think intentionally about your lifestyle, skills, and desires, you can drastically reduce your financial anxiety.To keep up with my writing journey, please consider doing the following:<ul><li>Subscribe to my <a href="https://simplests.substack.com">email list</a> for more updates</li><li>Follow for my latest reads</li></ul></article></body>

This Is How I Stopped Living Paycheck to Paycheck in My Early 20s

Life’s better on the other side

I opened up my Wells Fargo app to check my account after receiving notification of another overdraft fee.

This wasn’t the first time this had happened and it wouldn’t be the last.

Luckily, this is a memory from several years go.

I’ve broken free from the stressful cycle of living paycheck to paycheck.

And you can too.

Develop skills in a profitable domain

To get out of this cycle of living paycheck to paycheck, I went to college.

I had worked some jobs throughout high school and earned a bit of money.

Given that I didn’t have very valuable skills, I couldn’t earn a high hourly rate.

So, I went to school and studied computer science. At the time, I was fascinated with the subject.

I remember how much I loved the creativity involved in developing software.

I also knew that software engineers could earn a decent living.

Cut down on spending

This was a serious lifestyle change for me. I used to spend every cent on shoes and clothing.

Now, I had to delay gratification and think about my future.

To get out of this stressful cycle, I made the decision to stop spending on useless things.

I didn’t need to have the latest iPhone. I didn’t need to have a fancy car. I didn’t need to wear designer brands.

By reducing the money I spent on luxury items, I immediately noticed that there was more money left in my bank account. Go figure.

I could invest this money or save for a rainy day.

Work hard

I had to work hard to get out of this doom loop.

While working at startups, I put in more than 40 hours a week.

I spent time learning outside of my day job. I invested in myself.

I read books on personal finance, business, and technology.

Working hard isn’t easy.

But neither is living paycheck to paycheck.

Financial stress sucks. I’ve been there.

If you think intentionally about your lifestyle, skills, and desires, you can drastically reduce your financial anxiety.

To keep up with my writing journey, please consider doing the following:

Subscribe to my email list for more updates
Follow for my latest reads