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Study: 60% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck

Many San Diegans are living paycheck to paycheck, steps they are doing to make every dollar stretch.

SAN DIEGO — San Diego is considered the most expensive place to live in the United States, hurting the pockets of many families living paycheck to paycheck. 

“I have to work nonstop, I’m a full-time driver going up and down San Diego all the way to L.A. and back four times a week, ten-hour shifts and then I also cover the Tennessee Titans,” San Diego Resident Cody Anderson said. 

A recent study by Lending Club shows 60% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. According to Bankrate’s annual emergency fund report from the start of the year, 57% of Americans can't cover a $1,000 emergency expense. 

Anderson tells CBS 8, he has to work multiple jobs to cover expenses. 

“Even working a full-time job, it's not enough… you have to have multiple ways of income otherwise it's going to be hard, it just is,” Anderson said. 

“It's a combination of things, the fact that it's really expensive to live in San Diego in particularly in terms of housing, and then the fact that our wages, our income levels here are not what they are in other big metropolitan areas,” University of San Diego Economics Professor, Alan Gin said. 

Gin said people can do several things to cut their spending like reviewing any ongoing subscriptions, eating at home instead of going out, and turning down your thermostat this winter to save on your utility bill. 

For some San Diegans, couponing has become a way to save some money. 

“Use the apps that the grocery stores have to offer … I look for the coupons, I look for the digital ads .. you have to make sure that when you're going through you're doing everything that they need,” San Diego Resident Kathy Holmes said. 

Gin says relief may be coming soon for residents. 

“The good news is that the situation is improving in terms of prices, inflation is moderating. The price of gas is coming down and that will help in terms of what consumers have left over to spend,” Gin said. 

To learn more information on ways to save money visit bbb.org

WATCH RELATED: San Diego's high cost of living is impacting military heroes.  

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