Ah, the feeling of a fresh paycheck. There are few things that can surpass the joy that comes with making your own money. But that feeling is crushed once you add up your rent expense, credit card payment, electricity bill, and so on. Living paycheck to paycheck can be daunting. It can feel entrapping, stopping you for exploring other career options or life choices. For me, I call this “being stuck in the wheel.” Having a high savings account is a the biggest safety cushion, and I highly recommend saving for rainy days. Read on to get out of the wheel, and take control of your finances in these easy ways! Look at Your Living Situation Are you living beyond your means? Take a good look of what you are spending the majority of your money, and see if you can scale back. See if you really need that car lease, the apartment, or WiFi. Truly assess your needs and see where you can reduce to save for the future.