First things first… Bankrate, I love you guys. ...

First things first… Bankrate, I love you guys. Your site provides a huge benefit to consumers, and I am the first to send people your way to find the best fit in terms of credit cards, banks, etc.

Now that I’ve put that out there, I have to say that I disagree with the post below. It proves that most people think that the only way to come up with $2,000 extra is to make cuts in spending. What about making more money?

A lot of people could be making $2,000 more per year at work, but they’re too afraid of asking for a raise. Also, you could create something and sell it. For some reason, people are more willing to choose an option that involves less effort in the short term, but more overall in the long term.

I mean, have you actually used one of those free text apps? It’s only free if you get your friends to use it too (good luck with that). And ditching cable to watch shows online is a pain! I’ve tried it, and it’s really annoying to juggle all of the different things you have to do to watch your favorite shows.

When trying to come up with more money, you should first think about a way to earn more. It’s a lot easier to earn $100 than it is to save it. Then, look for ways to set up recurring savings, like negotiating your cable bill. Only after you’ve exhausted all of those options should you begin to look for one-time savings, like clipping coupons.

bankrate:

How to come up with $2,000 out of thin air

Could you use an extra $2,000? Here’s where it’s hiding. Find it and stash it.

·         Get free text messaging apps like Text-Plus or Kik instead of paying for a texting plan.

·         Sell your unused gift cards. Find a gift card exchange website and sell the cards you won’t use to other buyers.

·         Pay attention when grocery items are on sale. Most supermarkets have sales in 12-week cycles. Stock up on items when they’re reduced.

·         Most gyms give you the ability to freeze your membership during the summer months. Use these warmer months to exercise outside, freeing up room in your monthly budget.

·         If possible, increase your insurance deductibles. If you’ve built up enough savings and can cover a higher deductible, you can save on your premium cost.

·         Consider ditching your cable subscription, and watch TV shows on online streaming services or on-demand.

·         Ask for discounted rates when shopping for telephone and internet services. Request to be billed promotional prices given to new customers on services you already use.

How have you saved money in a pinch?