The current pandemic has left us uncertain of how we will manage our funds in the coming months. Many people have either lost their jobs or are waiting for their workplaces to open again. Some have gone the work-from-home route, but not everyone can do so, and it’s not like you’re going to be paid immediately upon recruitment either. Payments are still there for us to attend to, so how are we going to make our funds fit? Here are a few suggestions you can follow.
Save on Energy
Since you and your household are now mostly stuck at home, you’re likely to use more electricity and spend more on it. After all, you’re going to be using your computers, gadgets, and appliances a lot more. Because of this, you need to keep a closer watch on your usage. Make it a point to use energy only when required or when there’s a limit to the number of hours you spend on it. If you can afford it, you can invest in residential solar services as well.
Plan Out Your Meals
You might be tempted to stock up on food and not think about it too much, considering that you need to limit your trips to the grocery. However, you should keep in mind that you are still spending money, so you need to make the most of it. Plan out your meals for the week, sticking to the simpler recipes with fewer ingredients, and then purchase accordingly. The only time that you can probably stock up is if you’re purchasing meat, poultry, or fish in bulk and have a large freezer, or if you’re buying canned goods that you can use for dishes. It will also help to grow vegetables, as these can also help you build resistance to illness.
Cancel Subscriptions
This time is when we can truly determine which of the things we spend on are what we need and what we don’t need. One of the expenses that you’re better off cutting out is any subscription that you’re not going to use now that you’re stuck at home because of the pandemic. For example, you may have a gym subscription, but since gyms are now deemed unsafe for an indefinite period, then you can cancel it for now and save money.
Negotiate Non-Essential Payments
When we say non-essential services and payments, we mean those that we don’t particularly need to live, but are not necessarily useless in our lives. These include internet and cellphone subscriptions, as well as credit card payments. You have to remember that everyone is going through the same crisis, so it should be understandable if you choose to spend your money on the essentials, such as food, water, and electricity, first. Don’t be afraid to negotiate when it comes to the non-essentials. Doing so gives them the idea that you intend to pay, but you need a bit more time.
The gist of managing your money during this time is recognizing the areas that you don’t need to spend on right now and keeping things simple. You can also take the opportunity to generate your resources, such as off-grid electricity and home-grown food. It is time to know what matters enough to spend your funds on.
