Not being sure whether you’ll have the money to make rent can be absolutely nerve-racking. For families struggling to make rent, this problem is much more stressful. Thankfully, there are ways to help boost your bank account, and avoid eviction, if you know where to start. To get you on the right path, here are five paths forward for Houston families struggling to make rent:
1. Houston-Based Rental Assistance
Families and individuals in financial difficulty may not always be able to find an extra job or other financial solutions before the rent is actually due. When you find yourself in this unfortunate scenario, the best course of action is to contact a neighborhood rental assistance program. There are programs available that are both publicly and privately financed to protect struggling renters from being evicted. Texas has a ton of quality rental assistance programs in Houston to consider. Going directly to their offices will help you breeze through the application process quicker as well.
2. Opening a Credit Card
In addition to personal loans, it is strongly advised to have a reliable credit card on hand for times when money is tight. If your credit is in a solid state, you want to research a credit card that you may use to make real investments, that will help you both now and later (while helping you make rent in the meantime). Even if you don’t need the credit right away, having it available to you, later on, will be helpful, especially if you anticipate having a tight budget over the next few months. To avoid exceeding your credit card limit and to ensure that you can pay it back as quickly as possible when using a credit card, it is crucial to plan ahead thoroughly. If you can handle this additional responsibility, this tip will help you pay rent on time, while allowing you to build up your financial health simultaneously.
3. Working with Your Landlord
Ask your landlord if there are any odd jobs or workmanship you can perform around the house, especially if it is owned by a single landlord, to reduce your rent. Never be scared to ask your landlord about this option because they prefer not to evict renters, as it will cost them money in the short run. If your landlord is a fair person, they ought to be able to work something out for you. The ability to reap the rewards of your labor, since you will be earning rent while enhancing your living space, is another advantage of this strategy. If you have useful skills for housework, you may even get proactive, and suggest living space improvements you can make to the property.
4. Starting a Sidegig
In the current economy, you can choose from a wide range of internet employment at any time, allowing you to expand your monthly income significantly as a result. If you know where to look, you can find jobs such as answering surveys, proofreading, forum moderating, and call center assistance with little to no wait time. Some popular online games can help you make extra cash in 2023 as well. You may also look for more specialized jobs that pay substantially more depending on your skill level, and depending on how much time you can put in at these side gigs. You can even get paid almost instantly for internet jobs (even daily in some cases). Simply be prepared to do a thorough job search, and send out a lot of applications over a few days, and you can likely find additional employment in no time.
5. Selling Valuable Belongings at a Yard Sale
Few options are as appealing as having a yard sale. This route allows you to free up space in your home, and earn quick money, while also having an absolute blast. If you live in a busy neighborhood, you may quickly start selling used materials by setting up a few tables in your yard. For those living in Houston, the robust yard sale community in the city limits allows you to join impromptu yard selling efforts year-round as well. Fortunately, you are also given the option to set your own price, which increases the likelihood that you will make more money than if you were to sell your items to second-hand stores.
Help is Out There!
When you’re struggling, and your family is in danger of being evicted, it’s important to remember that there are many organizations and solutions out there that can help you. Being evicted is the worst-case scenario, so you want to avoid it at all costs. With these five avenues, you’ll have an easier time getting the money together to pay your rent on time.
