Contributed Collaborative Post
No matter what situation you may be in, we all deal with money woes from time to time. Whether you have had to cut back your hours at work or pay for some unexpected bills, the past year, in particular, has been difficult for everyone. Therefore, as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be looking for ways in which you can take control of your finances – either by earning more money or pulling back your spending.
With that in mind, here are some fun and simple ways in which you can earn and save more money during the pandemic.
- Assess your monthly spending and cut back on anything you don’t use. For example, if you’ve managed to watch every single show on Netlfix and no browse through the site – it might be time to cancel your subscription.
- Set yourself a strict budget and stick to it as much as possible. While you can afford to make some allowances here and there, overspending every day could lead to trouble further down the line.
- Motivate yourself and your family to start saving money by setting up a ‘rainy day fund’. Write down a list of things you want to do post-covid, such as travelling or visiting your favourite restaurant again. Then, whenever you underspend in regards to your budget, set aside this money to use for those future activities.
Fabian Blank on Unsplash
- Consider picking up a side hustle that can help you safely bring in some extra cash. For example, many side hustles such as blogging and tutoring can be performed online from the safety of your home.
- Alternatively, you could work securely as a shipment carrier. You can find hundreds of jobs advertised on sites such as Shiply, meaning that you get to decide exactly when and where you work.
- Sign up to take part in online focus groups or surveys. This is a great way to interact with others, voice your opinion and earn a little extra cash.
- If your hours have been reduced at work, such as through the furlough scheme – you may have the time to take on some additional remote work. For example, you could work online as a virtual assistant – providing companies with administrational support during this difficult time.
- Cut down the cost of your bills by switching providers. For example, many energy companies offer significant discounts to new customers. Alternatively, your current provider may offer you a cheaper rate if you express an interest in looking elsewhere.
- Wherever possible, forgo expensive supermarket fees by shopping local. This is also a great way in which you can support small businesses during this time, and also means that you can avoid overcrowded shops.
- Focus on having fun for ‘free’. For example, you don’t need to spend loads of money in order to enjoy yourself. Spend time outdoors. Go for a walk. Host an online games night with your friends. Watch an old movie. This means that once again, you can put aside more money for the future.
This is a contributed collaborative post
