Twin Peaks worker Avery Linhart alleged in a viral TikTok video that she was able to make hundreds of dollars in one 13-hour shift — on a day when she was $300 short on rent.
Linhart says she made $631 at the sports bar that night, adding up to about $48.50 an hour, which made it possible for her to make rent that month.
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The video, which has been viewed 3.4 million times since it was posted in April, sparked debate — with some viewers questioning how she came so close to coming up short on her rent while being able to earn so much money in a single shift. Linhart, who says she’s a college student majoring in construction science, explained in the comment section her rent costs $15,000 per year, while her tuition fees add up to $16,000 per year. This was on top of her everyday expenditures and cash set aside for her savings.
While Linhart was able to scrounge up the funds she needed at the last minute, it’s even better to stay ahead of big bills so you’ll never risk falling behind. Here are three “cash-only” ways to make sure everything gets covered.
1. Try the “cash stuffing” hack
One of the top tried-and-true methods of getting your money habits into control is to start budgeting — and many people swear TikTok’s viral “cash stuffing” technique has helped them save money.
Every time you get paid, you cash that check and divvy it up into different spending categories, like rent, groceries and entertainment. From there, you “stuff” whatever cash you’ve allocated to each category into separate envelopes.
If you hit the mall and your shopping bill exceeds what you have in cash, you’ll just have to put something back.
This method can help keep you on track with all your regular bills — and serve as a great way to stash aside funds for the future, like your retirement or emergency savings.
2. Use a cash-back credit card
Consider applying for a cash-back credit card that gives you money back every time you shop.
These cards could come with a flat interest rate or tiers that get you higher returns on certain purchases, like groceries and gas.
You could earn anywhere from 1% to 5% back, depending on the card and the issuer’s terms and conditions. Some issuers will allow you to take the cash as a check, have it deducted from your credit card bill or receive it in the form of a gift card.
Just ensure you aren’t overspending to earn rewards — carrying a high credit card balance won’t exactly be helpful when it comes time to pay your rent.
Read more: Shopping without a cash back credit card is just losing money — here’s how to make sure you don’t miss out on serious savings
3. Put your pennies to work
Don’t just stash your cash under the mattress — find smart ways to help your savings grow.
Investing is a great way to do just that. And it’s not as scary as it sounds, in fact some investing platforms streamline the process and automatically rebalance your portfolio.
And you don’t have to have thousands of dollars at the ready — you can even start by investing with just your spare change. Every time you buy a pair of iced coffees before working a double shift at Twin Peaks — just as Linhart seems to do — you can use an investing app to round up the price to the nearest dollar and place the excess into your portfolio.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
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