Table Of Content
What Is a Pay Cut, Exactly?
A pay cut is the act of reducing a salary. A pay cut occurs when an employer temporarily reduces your monthly salary. Less income, but little or no change in workload.
During difficult times like recessions and economic downturns, even the most responsible employers may be forced to cut wages in order to survive. This is by no means ideal, but it's not without options. Read on for some tips on how to properly navigate this difficult situation.
The amount deducted may be determined by internal factors such as your position, the company's performance and financial health, or external factors beyond the company's control (e.g. severe recession due to a global pandemic).
How To Deal With A Pay Cut
It's normal to feel anxious and overwhelmed after hearing about a pay cut, especially if you're struggling with financial stress or student loans. Talk to a trusted friend or family member.
Once your emotions have calmed down a bit, sit down and objectively assess whether the situation is really comfortable for you. Do you think you can get a fair deal on this exchange? Would you be better off staying with your current employer, or do you think you could get a better deal elsewhere? Will you be able to endure the current situation until you get your pay back in full?
Keep in mind that your comfort level depending on the situation may also change over time. Please take time to review your thoughts on this subject regularly as the situation develops. You don't necessarily have to make a final decision right away.
Keep Track of Your Spending Habits
Whether you're staying with your current employer or changing jobs, it's a good idea to reschedule your monthly budget when you notice your salary has dropped. You should use the adjusted salary to calculate the exact amount after taxes and other required deductions. Then consider your payments, savings, and monthly expenses.
If you're new to budgeting, consider using a budgeting and spending app to manage your money. A common ratio is the 50:20:30 budget rule, which allocates 50% of your income to basic necessities, 30% to lifestyle decisions, and 20% to debt and savings. When considering ways to reduce costs, remember to consider your long-term savings goals. Think of ways to save on a small scale (such as retirement or emergency funds).
Re-Evaluate Your Subscriptions
In this day and age we subscribe to so many channels and media mediums. A subscription is an arrangement to receive something, typically a publication, regularly by paying in advance. This could be ShowMax, Netflix, Spotify, Premium pro the list goes on. In most cases we don't need these subscriptions. That is why you have to re-evaluate your subscription and remove what you can live without more especially when you are dealing with a pay cut. This will allow you to be able to save a little bit of money on your expenses.
Reduce Electricity Use
Turn off the wall device and unplug the charger. This can save you up to 6% on your electricity bill. Set the pool pump to run for less time. Using it for 10 hours a day is about 11% of the power consumption. Two to three hours is sufficient for most pools in winter. Cook slowly and bring the food to a boil before placing the pot in an insulated cooker. Retained heat cooks slowly, saving up to 60% energy. Lower the temperature of the geyser to 60°C. This saves up to 5% on your electricity bill.
Make fire instead of using electricity heating. Fireplaces are effective for heat storage and warm spaces, keeping costs down and adding heat. Use gas for cooking. Gas is more efficient than electricity and has the advantage of being able to cook even during power outages.
Insulate the ceiling. Delay heat loss, keep your home up to 5°C warmer in winter, and save up to 16% on annual electricity. Replace traditional light bulbs with energy efficient light bulbs that consume 1/6th the power. A shower head that saves energy and water is installed. These use up to 40% less hot water and save on your electricity bill.
Shower instead of bathing. Save up to 80% water. Consumes 5 times less power than heating a water bath. dry the laundry in the sun. Do not put in tumble dryer. Please use the indoor clothesline on rainy days. Invest in a solar water heater. Use solar heat to heat water and save 25% or more on your electricity bill. Install a solar power system. These generate electricity from the sun's energy
If You Can, Lower Your Housing Expenses
Refinance. You may be able to reduce your monthly payments by changing your mortgage type (fixed rate, floating rate, balloon) or finding a lower interest rate. Compare your purchases to see if refinancing can save you money.
rent a room. If you have extra living space, why not rent it? For example, if your home is near a university, consider renting a room to a student. Change to a smaller location. Reduce the size if you don't need all the space.
Get further away from the city. Real estate prices tend to be higher in metropolitan areas than in suburbs and rural areas. You can save a lot of money by staying away from where the action is happening.
Find a place with low taxes. Property taxes (and school taxes) may vary by region. Interest rates vary from 0.2% to 4% of the home price. That's a big difference for your wallet.
How To Manage Your Lifestyle on a Smaller Income
Consolidate Your Debt and Lower Interest Rates
Deal with high interest debt first. First, you need to tackle debt head-on, especially high interest rates on personal loans and credit cards.
Paying off debt requires a workable but rewarding plan. So start by prioritizing your debts so that you pay off the ones with the highest interest rates first. Then, as you progress, try not to accumulate more and more high-interest debt, especially credit card debt.
Stay Busy, Busy, Busy – Hustle On The Side
If you're living on a tight budget and can't cut any more expenses, consider starting a side business to diversify your income. In addition to full-time work, you can also look for part-time jobs to open up another source of income.
Most side jobs can be done directly from home in your spare time. So think about what you're good at, a hobby that can make you money, or something you already enjoy and can turn into a part-time job.
Plan Your Next Move
You have to be calculative about each financial move you make dealing with a pay cut.
Reduce Your Insurance Premiums
Insurance are important more especially when you have a vehicle and a home. They come in handy incase of an emergency. There are cheaper options on insurance. This allows you to be covered but at a more affordable price.
Eat at Home
A sacrifice must be made, but it is not impossible. Learn to spend your time in moderation, such as eating out less. You can enjoy a good meal at a restaurant, not a few times a week. Maybe once a month or once in a while.
Cooking at home and indulging in great home food can help you save so much money. You may be surprised at how much money you can save just by eating at home and packing lunch instead buying food.
Shop with a List
Grocery shopping is one of those errands you need to be vigilante when doing. It easy to get lost the moment and overspend. That is why it is important to make a list. So that you are not consumed by what you see in front of you. Not only does a list help you remember what you really need, it also saves you time at the grocery store. A list is also beneficial to those who are impulsive buyers.
Put a Freeze on Your Credit Cards
Credit Cards are great when you can afford to pay them. Personally I've never been a fan of credit cards. The whole concept behind it has never been favorable. It is more like they are saying " we know that you can not afford to buy these, here's a card to help you buy what you cant afford in hopes that you can be able to pay it back". It doesn't make sense to me.
Nonetheless, put a hold on them when faced with a financial crisis such as a pay cut. If you don't pay off your credit card balance in full every month, the interest accrued at the time of purchase will cost you more than the original purchase amount.
Switch to Cash Only
You can reduce your debt by paying with credit instead of cash
Getting into debt may be easy, but getting out of it isn't so easy. Not only will your overall grocery bill increase over time, but your debt will also increase if you don't pay your monthly bills.
Isn't it nice to think that you buy it once, use it, and then pay for it months or even years later? Using cash makes it easier to budget and stay on track
Paying with cash allocated for purchases makes it easier to track exactly how you spend your money. It's also an eye-opener, and you can really see how much money is coming in and out week-by-week or month-by-month.
These are just a few of the reasons why it's better to pay with cash than a credit card. It's not that there can't be a time or place to start using a credit card, but if you do, you want to be responsible and have a plan to pay it back within a certain period of time.
Decide To Proceed With Your Life
If you eventually decide you can't stand the pay cut and decide to change jobs and look for another job, that's also a valid strategy. However, before you formally submit your resignation, make sure you have secured employment elsewhere.
Depending on your relationship with your current employer, it may be a good idea to give advance notice of your termination plans. Supportive employers may be happy to help you out by providing references for your job search.
Or, if they truly believe that you are an irreplaceable employee, they may be willing to negotiate better terms with you. Ultimately, the final decision comes down to what you're happy with and whether you're getting a fair deal. There is no shame in making decisions that you think are best for you.
Be Intentional With Your Spending
Being intentional with your spending really means taking charge of your finances. By intentionally budgeting and sticking to a strict budget. This requires high level of discipline knowing that the sacrifices you are making will benefit you in the long run.
Conclusion
You can now say that you are equipped with all the necessary tools you need to deal with an unexpected pay cut. The answer to how to reduce expense has been answered. How to manage your lifestyle with a smaller income has been highlighted. The importance of planning your next steps has been given .
We also highlighted how important it is to take care of your debt. Glow app is all about financial improvement and it is for helping you send, receive or save money with peace of mind. Join the waitlist and be the first to open a mahala lifetime account. If you you want a stress fee life, then Glow app is the way.