What Does it Mean to Live Paycheck to Paycheck?

According to Investopedia: “Paycheck to paycheck is an expression used to describe an individual who would be unable to meet financial obligations if unemployed because his or her salary is predominantly devoted to expenses. Persons subsisting paycheck to paycheck have limited or no savings and are at greater financial risk if suddenly unemployed than individuals who have amassed a cushion of savings.”

According to Forbes, 78% of workers are living paycheck to paycheck. That statistic encapsulates more than just hourly workers. Investopedia states that 25% of American families making $150,000 or more a year live paycheck to paycheck.

So what happens when that paycheck gets interrupted and bills don’t get paid? Answer: consumers fall behind on their mortgage, rent, and credit card payments. As a result, credit scores suffer and the financial spiral grows more severe. A recent article published by The Center for the New Middle Class classified ‘loss of income’ as the number one reason credit scores go down.

For consumers who have suffered a loss of income due to a car accident or other personal injury legal claim, a solution exists: Consumer Legal Funding. Consumer Legal Funding acts as a bridge for consumers to solve their financial dilemmas while waiting for their legal claim to make its way through the system. There are no credit checks, there are no periodic payments while the case makes its way through the legal system. Consumers only have to meet their obligation to the funding company when and if their case settles and only if there is sufficient funds to meet the commitment.

Consumer Legal Funding is not a loan, as it does not have an absolute certainty of repayment. Consumers only have to meet their financial commitment to the funding company when and if they are successful in their legal claim. Therefore, the product is not a loan. It is an opportunity for consumers to sell off a portion of their legal claim (a future asset) as an investment. Like any investment, when consumers look to take advantage of Consumer Legal Funding, they should be fully aware of the cost associated, and the terms and conditions of the contract.

Consumer Legal Funding is a financial transaction that is designed to fill in the gap due to the loss of one’s paycheck as a result of circumstances beyond their control. It is designed to help consumers get the fair and just settlement they deserve, and not be forced into accepting a low-ball settlement offer just because they are living paycheck to paycheck.