The Covid crisis has been around for long enough now and lockdowns are slowly of easing. Many people, are still stuck on furlough or have been made redundant as their employer has shut down. With this in mind, here are some more tips to help stretch your finances and get you through the lockdown. All of these include things we have done ourselves.
Make the most of your time
If you have been stuck at home for the last year, you are probably getting fed up with being cooped up in the house. While we can’t bust you out, we can suggest some productive ways to spend your time. One of the more exciting things is to search out new deals and ways to make your money go further. Don’t be afraid to shop around for better deals or explore platforms such as Metatrader 5. These things are out there for you to use to your advantage, so why not seek them out?
One of the things to remember too is that you can always look around for cheaper deals on utilities etc. And don’t forget to complain about things like home insurance etc. They can always find you a better deal when it comes to renewing. They certainly don’t want to lose you to another company.
Limit your online activity
It can be tempting to sit on your phone all day, flicking mindlessly through social media before heading off for some online window shopping. The next thing you know, you have parcels arriving non-stop and the postman is your new best friend. As fun as online shopping is, it can really damage your bank account. If you can, avoid spending your day online. If you can, return or sell those unnecessary purchases. If you do find yourself at the virtual checkout, ask yourself if you really need the contents of your basket. If you don’t, just leave the page and save the money instead.
Adjust your budget
You might have the same money going in and out as you used to but have you adjusted your budget to reflect these changes? Probably not. In fairness, a lot of people did not realise that we could still be in various stages of lockdown now. However, this is a great opportunity to revamp your budget and see where you can save some money. You might be surprised to see how your spending habits have changed and where your money is going now.
Search out freebies
Believe it or not, freebies are still a thing. They did disappear for a while when companies had to adjust their own budgets during the last year. But now they are back and waiting for people to snap them up again. They are not as abundant as they were before but with a thorough search of the internet, we are sure you can find plenty of freebies and vouchers to help your budget.
Do It Yourself
If you have time on your hands and want to strip your budget back as far as possible, you could consider DIY. This could include anything from making your own soap bars to upcycling old furniture to sell. And if people like your creations, you could consider starting your own business. It is quick and easy to set up your own business with a wealth of information online to help guide you.
Anne says
Wonderful tips here. I found I was very frugal during lockdown but not so much now, I do need to rein it in a little.
Anne recently posted…Is Blogging Dead in 2021?