Convenient Ways to Save Money During COVID-19

The pandemic created by the novel coronavirus has impacted our lives in a number of ways.

17:15 24 May 2021

From going to work to running errands to visiting loved ones, you’d be hard-pressed to find a facet of life that hasn’t been affected by COVID-19. While there’s no denying that COVID-19 has facilitated one of the worst pandemics of the last century, staying close to home has created a bevy of money-saving opportunities for cost-conscious households. In addition to keeping your loved ones safe and helping curb the spread of the virus, exercising caution throughout this trying time can prove beneficial to your financial bottom line.

 

Embrace Cost-Effective At-Home Entertainment Options

 

These days, one has to truly try to be bored. With a seemingly endless array of entertainment options at our fingertips at all times, even being stuck at home can prove highly enjoyable. However, this isn’t to say that you should break the bank on at-home entertainment. Provided you’re willing to exercise a little bit of patience and restraint, you can find virtually any piece of home-based entertainment for a discounted price. For example, if there are any streaming services you’re interested in subscribing to, keep an eye out for free trial offers or sign-up specials. By extension, if you find that members of your household much prefer streaming services to cable or satellite television, you can bid broadcast television adieu and save a small fortune each month in the process.

 

If members of your household are avid gamers, you can save a small fortune by purchasing games in bulk during flash sales. Granted, this means waiting a while before playing new releases, but if you follow this method, your video game backlog will be so large, you’ll hardly miss playing hot titles right away. Similarly, avid readers with ready access to e-reading devices can stock up on popular titles during publisher and retailer flash sales.

 

Heighten Your Culinary Skills

 

When you’re stuck at home, the temptation to order takeout on a regular basis can be overwhelming. While this can be a good way to support local businesses and save yourself the trouble of cooking, it can also make a sizable dent in your finances. There’s nothing wrong with the occasional indulgence, but ordering in multiple times per week can quickly bleed you dry financially. That being the case, you should use being homebound as an opportunity to expand your culinary repertoire and experiment with new dishes. Additionally, by limiting takeout orders to one per week, you can make ordering in seem like more of a treat and give yourself something to look forward to.

 

Opt for Curbside Pickup Over Delivery

 

On the occasions when you decide to order takeout, you can save yourself some money by going with curbside pickup instead of delivery. Depending on the service you use, delivery can add a substantial sum to your bill. So, if you feel safe venturing outside of the old homestead, don the necessary PPE and retrieve your order. As the name implies, curbside pickup entails picking up orders without having to exit your vehicle. The exact mechanics vary from place to place, but this process typically involves checking in online shortly before leaving your home, checking in once again upon arriving at the restaurant and specifying which of the designated pickup spaces you’re parked in. For maximum safety, make sure whoever’s giving you your food is properly masked before interacting with them.

 

Make Wise Investments

 

Making smart investments can be a great way to add to your monthly income and ease financial insecurity. Of course, “investments” don’t refer exclusively to stocks. For instance, purchasing precious metals, like a valuable 10 oz silver bar, can help ensure that you always have a reliable nest egg to fall back on.

 

For over a year, the COVID-19 pandemic has largely dictated the manner in which we live our lives. In order to stay safe and healthy and protect those around us, many people have made sweeping changes to their usual routines. Anyone looking for a silver lining in this terrible situation will be pleased to learn that saving money during a pandemic is surprisingly easy. By altering a few simple behaviors, you can bolster your savings and have a sizable nest egg by the time this pandemic is finally in the rearview.