How to Save Money During the Pandemic
Tuesday, July 7, 2020, 6:00 AM | Leave Comment
The global pandemic has truly brought new meaning to life. With more than 100,000 lives lost in the United States alone, more people are acutely aware of the fragility of life.
Furthermore, unemployment is at an all-time high. While it can be a scary time, it’s definitely impossible to get to the other side.
One of the ways you can hold on to a bit of your sanity is through intentionally saving money.
If you’re looking for practical ways to save money during the pandemic, consider the following ideas.
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Monitor Energy Usage
Take a closer look at where your money seems to go while everyone is inside. Because everyone is home for a longer period of time, your energy bill will go up. However, work on decreasing energy consumption as much as possible. When the sun is high in the sky around the midday hours, close the blinds because the sunlight heats up the room.
Keep your home cool by leaving the interior doors open to allow cool air to circulate. Turn off all lights when it’s time to leave a room. Try to run appliances like the dishwasher and the dryer at nighttime because most energy companies charge more during peak hours.
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Use Reusable Items
Even though it might not feel ideal or convenient, get rid of the disposable mindset. This means that you’ll want to wash dishes instead of purchasing paper plates. Instead of purchasing large packages of water bottles, purchase a water filter that you can attach to your sink. It might cost a bit more than a package of water. However, it’ll be cheaper in the long run.
During the pandemic, most people are purchasing disposable masks to use when they enter the grocery stores and other public spaces. Instead of getting the disposable masks, purchase a few reusable masks.
Purchasing an ultra-light face mask is a lot easier on the wallet because you can wash them over and over again. Even if you use a different one each day of the week, wash them all at the end of the week in the same way you’d wash your regular clothes.
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Get Creative With Entertainment Sources
Take a closer look at your sources of entertainment for the family. If you all don’t watch much on cable television, get rid of your package. There are other ways to enjoy internet hacks for less money. If your family loves streaming services, consolidate to enjoy one or two services.
Get your family to unplug from the internet by investing time into hobbies. Look for deals on puzzles, coloring books, and art supplies. Let the family enjoy time on their bikes or on their rollerskates. As they spend time with a variety of hobbies, they’ll feel less inclined to spend money on frivolous items.
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Make Your Own Food
While it takes time out of your schedule, cooking food is time well-spent. Get creative with your approach to feeding your family. Plan meals in advance. Learn how to shorten the time that you spend in the kitchen each day. Bake a few casseroles in advance. Place a few in the freezer.
When you don’t feel like cooking, you can easily defrost a pre-made casserole, place it in the oven and enjoy a home-cooked entree. Add some fresh vegetables and a roll. Your family will enjoy it.
By preparing food at home, you’ll save an incredible amount of money. Consider bulk items that are inexpensive. Large bags of potatoes can turn into hash browns for breakfast, steak fries for lunch, or loaded Hasselback potatoes for dinner. Purchased canned foods like beans, tomatoes, and corn in order to serve as fillers for meals like chili, spaghetti, and tacos.
Keep quite a few seasonings on hand in order to make sure your food has tons of flavor. Instead of purchasing those expensive coffee drinks, purchase a few cans of condensed milk, some instant coffee, and a box of hot cocoa. Make your own delightful lattes at home for a fraction of the cost.
As you work to save money, always remember to take each day as it comes. Each day will have its own set of challenges and triumphs. Try your best to live in the present moment. While you can plan and prepare for the future, most people become anxious when they’re so focused on the future. As you save money one day at a time, you’ll look up and see the results in due time. Hang in there because it will get better.
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