Wandering For Money - Green Brick Road

Surprising Ways to Save Money Now (page 2)

Surprising Ways to Save Money Now During a Time of Financial Uncertainty or Pandemic – A List of 13+ Ideas to Try

1. Check Out Local Delivery Services for Discounts

Many delivery services are offering discounts on orders over a certain dollar amount to free delivery and more. Also, many are doing this to support local businesses. So while you may not find a discount for ordering anything, you may for certain local restaurants.

2. Some Local Restaurants and Organizations are Offering Free Meals

Some of these are on select days. And this will depend on where you live. But start following local news websites and papers, and groups such as Nextdoor or local Facebook groups to check if there are any local offerings in your area. 

A few that I see frequently is a free item if you use a drive-through or free meals for kids. But I have seen others offering free meals to anyone that stops by on select days. And if you have the means, usually they will accept donations.

Do Not Feel Bad If You Can Not Donate

But if you do not, then I have not seen many places pressure for that, as they understand not everyone can. 
Just consider whether a small donation could be less than you may have spent otherwise by getting your meal elsewhere.

Remember: Helping Local Businesses Now is Good for Everyone

And do not forget that by keeping local businesses open during this tough time, you are preserving the value and perks of living in your area for when things do blow over. 

3. Refinance Options

So there are many sites with financial experts that can help guide you on this. I would suggest reading up on what financial experts bloggers and websites are saying on the refinance topic first. Then, you can have an idea of what options may be available to you. 

But you may be able to get a lower rate on your mortgage, credit card, or student, auto, business or personal loan now. Since rates are good, it’s a great time to check out your options. 

Here are a few resources:

https://www.foxbusiness.com/money/refinance-student-loans-save-money

https://www.comparecards.com/guide/heres-a-brilliant-way-to-pay-credit-cards

4. Save on Car Insurance

Some car insurance companies are automatically providing customers with a flat discount since fewer people are driving.

Others you may need to contact to get your car insurance payment lowered.

Apps to Save in Comparing Insurance 

And there are some apps to help you shop around for new car insurance, so check those out.

More on Cars 

Along with the topic of cars, you can also save and earn money by renting a car or renting one to use for in-demand jobs if you do not own a car now…

5. Rent a Car or Rent Yours Out

But if you have a car you are willing to rent out, and are working from home, you can rent your car to neighbors that may need it through a few platforms that are easy to find online or via your phone’s app store. They are known as peer-to-peer car sharing.

And if you now need a car to get to your job, if you are doing a new one such as delivery, landscaping, etc., or if you no longer have many public transport options, there are apps that can help you with this.

Plus, check with your employer for possible reimbursement.

6. Enjoy Some Free Entertainment

Streaming

So some companies are providing free entertainment services. For example, HBO is providing free service for the month of April for a lot of its hit shows, movies, and documentaries.

Comprehensive Rundown of Great Free Ways to Stay Busy While at Home

Also, DCist.com provides a great list of free ways to watch movies, listen to audiobooks, and so much more. See this awesome resource here: https://dcist.com/story/20/03/12/free-ways-to-watch-movies-listen-to-audiobooks-and-otherwise-keep-busy-at-home/.

And note that while some are more for the DC area, MANY are not – since after all, there is still social distancing! However, if looking for free books and are outside the area, check out your local library too!

Exercise

YouTube.com also has a great collection of free art and exercise classes and guides.

Plus, you can do even more entertaining activities for free and even on lock down, such as:

Of the many surprising ways to save money now and from home, these are all really creative and fun!

7. Talk to Your Utility Companies 

If you have been impacted by COVID-19, it is better to talk with your utility companies now and find out options for lowering or postponing bills. Many are providing options to customers during these times.

If you wait and cannot pay, this will cause more of a headache for you and may result in fewer savings.

8. Talk to Your Banks 

Some banks are offering customers resources to help during this time, but you need to call your bank to find out what your options may include. And note there tends to be longer than usual wait times when calling customer service for many banks.

So, plan in advance by talking to the banks that you use and do so when you have the time.

Depending on your experience with the bank, you may have options available to you to help save with interest.

9. Take Advantage of Freebies and Promotions

You can use savings apps or deal/cashback/coupon apps to find some good deals or freebies (more of these apps are featured in some of my other posts – see link below). I would suggest looking for what you need, keeping an eye out, and always check the reputation of deals if you are not otherwise familiar with that store or platform. 

But there are many that are offering extra incentives to help people out! Look for some of your favorite brands and sign up for their apps or membership programs. You may be surprised at what is offered.

10. Combine spring cleaning with home decorating 

If you check out Pinterest, there are many ways to use things you may want to throw out and turn them into a home decor project. For example, old bills, magazines, boxes, paper bags, clothes, etc. can be a neat way to turn something you no longer want into an item you need. 

Get Inspired 

For me, it is easier to literally see pictures of DIY home decor to get some ideas and inspiration. So I look through ideas on Pinterest and blogs, and then think whether I have those items or want something like that (but don’t want to spend now!). This can help inspire you and make something truly unique, while cleaning and decorating at the same time. 

Take Advantage of Free Items on Local Selling Apps 

Also, check out local selling apps for free or cheap items if you need a few more materials to create your dream piece. Plus, if you are looking for a new hobby, these projects can be a great way to distract yourself from the stress of current events, while maintaining social distance. If you mess up using free items, then get rid of it!

11. Get Creative with Family and Friend Time

For example, make a local scavenger hunt. Or learn to cook together. Also, do not forget the many ways to connect online. You can connect in ways you may never have thought about and with those people further away that you may not have had as much contact with before.

Nextdoor is a fantastic platform for connecting with neighbors.

So, using these resources can be a great way to reconnect, make new friends, share stories, and help each other during an otherwise trying time. 

12. Make Your Own Masks! 

With the shortage of N95 masks, but some increased guidance to use cloth masks or other types of masks when you need to be in public, check out some fantastic ideas using items you likely have already.

One article with some DIY no-sew ideas is on HuffPost here and other options on DIY masks from bandanas are featured in this article form HuffPost as well.

13. Exercise for Free with YouTube Videos and Apps

There are many videos available that can provide you with a full body workout with no equipment needed and from your own home. 

Some are mentioned above in the DCist.com article. But, there are many more featured in lifestyle articles. Also, see my post on how to stay fit while playing games and making money using at home fitness devices.

And check out some awesome free apps such as 7-minute workout. Find out more here:

https://seven.app/

Also fid this other cool platform that is offering 90 days for free:

https://vitals.lifehacker.com/peloton-is-offering-a-90-day-free-app-trial-so-you-can-1842394973

Get Creative

And get creative. Cans of soup can sub as weights. Jumping jacks only require space. And there are exercises you can do from your bed or on the floor.

Plus, cleaning can work up a sweat, as can landscaping, gardening, and home improvement projects. 

Others

  • Check out the app Avibra for free life insurance by doing healthy activities. [Bonus: We each get a free $200 bonus if you use my referral link.]
  • To see if you have options for lower health care premium payments or if you can sign up for a policy based on a change in income or employment, head over to Healthcare.gov for more.
  • Check out your state’s resources, or your local county or country’s resources for possible support with mental health, financial aid, food and housing, and more. 
  • Head over to your phone’s app store or check out some lifestyle articles online. Hint: News and other sites have many surprising ways to save now in the lifestyle and health sections!

There Are Many Resources – Use Them!

There are many resources on how to get through these times and my advice is to take advantage of learning about them now. Some promotions may be temporary but you may find some ways to save that you can use in the future. 

Final Thoughts

While I know many are very concerned during these uncertain times about health, the future, loved ones, and finances, I think incorporating some of these ideas on surprising ways to save money now can help you prepare.

And thankfully there are options right now to take advantage of. Some of these may help you for many years and then make it a bit easier when this passes to get back up on your feet. 

For me, I think saving money when possible has helped me a TON and made otherwise uncertain times much easier to handle. 

Contact me with any questions. And see these posts for other ideas:

Although note that some platforms are suspended. But on the flip side, some are doing well or offering more incentives to sign up! 

More Final Thoughts

For those that have lost a loved one during this through either COVID-19 or another cause, my deepest sympathies. As I wrote about, I lost someone fairly recently, but before the pandemic began. No craft, check, or creative ways to save money will replace that loss of life. 

And for those who have lost a job, my thoughts are with you as well. This is a challenging time. And as much as we may hear we are all in this together, it can be difficult to always feel that way based off of personal circumstances. 

My hopes for all of those experiencing hardships 

All I can do is provide ideas and say that I have felt pain from current events, loss of life, and the uncertainty of how this will shape our future. Fortunately, I have found surprising ways to save money now and in the past, which I can say have helped me get through tough times.

Also, I will not compare because that is simply insensitive to try to pretend to know the pain or emotions for which another person may feel right now for any number of reasons.

So what do I hope for you?

But I hope you find some resources that can help you throughout this time. And wish anyone reading this the best under the circumstances. 

Also, I hope that those more fortunate realize that some are facing more difficulties than others. But you may not know because they may not feel comfortable sharing. 

However, reaching out, sensitivity and kindness can go a long way.

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