The presidential elections are over and I can tell you now. President-elect Donald Trump is not going to save you. You’re going to need more income. Senator Hillary Clinton couldn’t save her finances either. The truth is that the middle class is dead. That dream of finding a good job, buying a house, owning a car and saving to retire to greener pastures is wishful thinking.

don’t believe me Look at all the fast food, security, and customer service jobs out there. There is no shortage of work. Jobs are everywhere if you’re willing to work for minimum wage or a little higher. The unemployment rate has dropped every year since the last recession. Americans are afraid because they live paycheck to paycheck. They are in debt up to their necks. One back and they can be financially ruined.

Don’t think the middle class is dead. Will the next POTUS bring a revival of the middle class? Hell no, it’s been in decline for over 30 years. Think about it. If you’re making $100k in places like Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, or Chicago, you’re struggling. Especially if you have student loans, a mortgage, and large credit card debt.

The journey of the broken

Go to work, get paid, and then hit the next paycheck. Then use credit cards, payday loans, or home equity lines of credit to bridge the gap until you get paid again. That is the journey of the broken. A vicious cycle that affects most American homes today. People don’t get ahead. You can blame the economy, greedy corporations, or bad business deals. Ultimately, the reason you’re broke is because of YOU.

Until you generate more income, the cycle of debt and lack of money will repeat itself. Income is the king of financial security. This is where people fail. They do not generate more income. Sure cutting back on expenses and having a monthly cash flow plan can help your finances. But until you increase that income line… you’re going to have a hard time.

get another job

The fastest way to generate more income is to get a second job. Yes, there are plenty of jobs out there depending on where you live. Pizza delivery, security guards, fast food workers and other minimum wage opportunities. I didn’t say create a new career, I said get a second job.

Getting a second job is the easiest thing you can do to change your financial future. No, it is not permanent. It is an immediate income and when you manage the money correctly you could be financially secure in a couple of years. It requires work and discipline. Now, if you have family obligations that will not allow you to get a second job, you should find other ways to generate income.

sell your junk

Yes, I called it garbage. If you’re paying monthly fees for storage, you can’t park your car in the garage (the garage is designed so your car doesn’t accumulate stuff), or you still trip over things in your house after cleaning. Then you have to sell that garbage. Have a garage sale. Get rid of it and create some cash. Put it on eBay or other sites. Clean the cutter and fatten your wallet.

side hustle

With Uber and Lyft you can catch up. Keep your full-time job and do these independent contractor jobs. Choose your own hours. Work as much as you can. You don’t like to drive? Find something that is flexible and increase your results.

Company owner

This is the hardest way to generate more income. But you will create wealth if you are successful. If the entrepreneurial spirit doesn’t appeal to you, then look for another job. Can you turn your hobby into an empire? Maybe? Understand that to generate more income in a business you need sales. Sales is the life blood for all businesses. Without sales there is no success.

Create more income

I have given you several ways to earn more money. Put together a short and long term plan. The middle class is dead. Your financial future is in your hands. More streams of income will help you survive the crisis of the middle class.