Many of us are experiencing job failure and decreased working hours as companies close their gates in compliance with rules to prevent COVID-19 from spreading further. St. Louis Federal Reserve President James Bullard predicts that lay-off rates could reach 30% — higher than in the Great Depression and 3x more than during the 2007-09 crisis, Reuters reported. With so many people earning less cash and thousands more on the brink of being fired, it’s crucial now more than ever to concentrate on saving money and decrease spending.
If you are in the affiliate marketing business or use affiliate marketing software to manage your income, you probably have a better life than most of us, who need to save money.
Subscriptions
You’re presumably using your Netflix, Hulu and Disney+ subscriptions a lot now, but review your bank records to see if there are other subscriptions you’re being automatically charged for that you are lo longer using.
Make a list of any subscription services that you no longer use and cancel your monthly payments.
Bank Fees
Evaluate your account fees quickly, at better times, we usually put off evaluating where we might be acquiring cryptic costs. Change your banking to a “free” account, if possible.
Your Gym Membership
Many gyms are shut down, and if yours is not, it’s still best to avoid going. While you’re home, there are many online exercises you can obtain for free. Even if you intend to hold onto your membership for the greater term, put a hold on your membership if you haven’t already done so.
Services You Can DIY
Don’t waste cash on any services you can do yourself — like garden work or maintenance.
Cable Bundles You Don’t Need
Cancel special cable packages. I know this seems counterintuitive during social distancing, but cutting expenses is essential until this Coronavirus crisis is over.
This is particularly true if you’re spending extra for sports channels, with most professional sports now on hold. If the main purpose you have cable is to watch sports, consider cutting the cord completely and relying on streaming services for now.
Nonessential Food Spending
Making food at home can be time-consuming, but it’s a huge money saver.
Having meals delivered and driving to the drive-thru can get you out of the apartment, but the price of feeding your household can suddenly add up. If you often order takeaways, a household of 4 can fork out at least $70 each time they order in. If you cook at home instead, an ordinary may meal costs around $30 to make. Even if you get takeout once a week, you’ll save about $200 just by cooking at home.
On-Demand Movies
Renting on-demand videos can look like a great concept until your cable bill arrives, so review all the free collections of movies instead
Retail Therapy
Shopping is one of the several activities you can do from the luxury of your home, but it’s not a clever use of your cash. Retailers are seeking to minimize their damages by throwing frequent online sales, so ask yourself if you really need the piece in your shopping cart before checking out. If you find yourself window-shopping sales and buying items simply because they’re a ‘real deal,’ consider unsubscribing from the shop’s email list and reduce your hours of surfing out of boredom.
Gas
Many people are saving gas money by not having to drive. Put that cash into your savings instead of burning through gasoline needlessly.
“Driving around just to get out of the house can add up a lot in fuel expenses. If the weather is nice, walk around your area instead, and save cash while running or walking and keeping your mind engaged.
Premium Apps
Decide whether you need that premium version of some apps. You may want to provisionally downgrade some of the apps you use (or even don’t use) prior to the next billing cycle.
Seasonal Memberships
Analyze your credit card statements from the past 3 months and find any recurring payments you have that you no longer need. Do you have seasonal tickets to games or theater shows? Don’t think the auto-billing will stop only because there’s been an event cancellation. Some charges may be charged quarterly, which is why analyzing three months’ worth of credit card records is a better idea. Many performances have been canceled or are on hold, so you’re better off placing the funds you would have wasted on presents for friends and family toward needs or savings.
There are no bridal showers or birthday parties to attend to for now — you can bring gifts later to rescheduled events.
Bottled Water
Yes, the endless debate. The average American spends approximately $17.50 a month on bottled water, according to a 2019 survey by Ladder found. While that doesn’t appear to be a lot, it can add up over time. Purchase a refillable pitcher to reduce this needless expense.
Why It’s So Important To Cut Out These Expenses?
You may feel like since you’re wasting less money by not going out as much, you don’t need to mind what you do spend on. Nonetheless, tracking how much you pay and cutting out payments that you don’t need — like the 13 listed above — is crucial.
We’re living in a time of economic insecurity, where businesses are at risk and employees are unsure of their future. By cutting on costs of the non-essential items and services, you can double the amount you save, to guarantee you’re still able to handle your bills or have some cash in savings if you or a loved one gets fired. Interest rates quickly add up, and the last thing you want to do in an economic circumstance like this is to bury yourself even further into debt.
What You Should Be Spending Money On
Prioritize keeping up with your fixed costs. The most reliable way to know fixed expenses is to think, if you don’t pay them, something critical is going to happen. For example, rent or mortgage payments, car payments, utilities, and other loan fees. In addition to these expenses, continue to cover any insurance coverage you have. During these times people have a knee-jerk reaction to look at their insurance premiums as a way to cut costs. Be very mindful of this department. You do not want to change the existing policy to save funds and have disadvantageous effects if a claim is ever made.
Keep Contributing To Emergency Savings
Use any savings you get from cutting out superfluous spending and contribute them to an emergency savings fund. About 40% of Americans can’t handle an emergency requiring more than $400, according to a Federal Reserve study, so right now is the time to cut down expenses and put that extra money in savings. Saving is about tradeoffs. Find the things that bring you less value or are added luxuries. Trade those in for savings and more assurance to plan for what the tomorrow may hold.