We’ve all been there – totally broke and up against a financial wall. It’s a terrible place to be, but how you respond says a lot about your character and your ability to thrive in the long term. You can despair and end up in debt or you can get creative and replenish your savings.

So what will you do when you’re facing money woes? One or more of these 4 strategies can help you get back on your feet.

Get A Side Gig

We’re living in the era of the gig economy and that means working independently on an often unusual schedule – but it also means that you’re free to work on your terms. If you’re low on cash, consider signing up for TaskRabbit to nab small jobs in your community. You can offer to help people move, clean their house, or mow their lawn, all for a fee.

Another option you might consider is driving for Lyft or Uber. If you already own an approved vehicle, this can be a great way to pick up some extra money, especially if you’re willing to drive during peak times. Don’t buy into their car rental program if you don’t have the right kind of car, though – that can drive you further into debt.

If you love to travel and you’re constantly on the lookout for the best new places, Dubai should probably be on your radar. You might already know a bit about Dubai since it has become a haven for the rich and wealthy, but it’s not a locale that’s just about opulence (although there’s plenty of that too). 

You might want to see some of the sites the area is known for, including the Moon Tower Dubai, the Burj Khalifa, the Marina, The Palm Island, or the stunning coastline, but how can you travel to such a glitzy city if you’re on a budget?

Consider the following tips for making it to Dubai on a budget.

Visit During the Summer

Dubai is hot. Incredibly hot. That’s why in terms of weather, the prime time to visit is between November and March. The winter months are still pretty hot, but the weather tends to be a bit milder, and there’s plenty of clear skies and sunshine. That’s also the time of year when it will be most crowded and most expensive.

There’s nothing that can make you look haggard, exhausted and awful quite like a flight, particularly a long-haul trip. When you step off a plane if you’re like most of us, you probably look anything but fresh. So what happens if you have somewhere important to be after your flight lands, and you don’t have a lot of time to make yourself look alive again?

Maybe you have an important meeting as soon as you leave the airport or a social engagement.

Whatever it is, the following are some quick tricks to look better after you land so you can hit the ground running with whatever your plans might be. 

Choose Your Food and Drinks Carefully

One of the biggest culprits of your less-than-ideal appearance after you get off a long flight are often the food and drinks you chose while in the air. Alcohol and unhealthy, salt-filled airplane food can make you look puffy and bloated. Try to make your choices carefully so that you can avoid those disasters, which are hard to overcome. 

Water or green tea are good beverage choices, and try to choose your in-flight meal wisely. Generally, fresher foods are going to be better than the ones that are packed and processed, of course.