As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, the economy is taking a lashing and millions of people have lost their jobs. According to data published by the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics on Aug. 7, the unemployment rate is at 10.2% — a definite improvement over April’s rate of 14.7%, but still a far cry from where the nation was in pre-pandemic times — in December 2019, the unemployment rate was at a historic low of 3.5%. Making matters worse, the CARES Act expired on July 31, putting an end to the $600 weekly boost in unemployment benefits. It’s a tough time that could get worse before it gets better as more layoffs are anticipated and more small businesses shut their doors for good.
With all this economic stress and uncertainty in the air, it’s paramount that Americans cut back on costs wherever they can. GOBankingRates spoke to financial and consumer experts to find out what expenses you should be cutting out amid the coronavirus crisis.
Subscription Services
You’re probably using your Netflix, Hulu and Disney+ subscriptions a lot now, but check your bank statements to see if there are other subscriptions you’re being automatically billed for that you are not using.
“Take inventory of any subscription services such as streaming music, subscribe and save items on Amazon or other monthly subscription boxes,” said Regina Conway, consumer expert at Slickdeals.net. “Right now is not the time to have a ‘set it and forget it’ mentality.”
Bank Fees
“Assess your account fees immediately,” Conway said. “In better times, we often put off evaluating where we might be incurring hidden costs. Switch your banking to free accounts.”
Your Gym Membership
Many gyms are still closed, but even if yours has reopened, it’s wisest for your wallet to avoid it. The average monthly cost of a gym membership is $58, but in major cities like New York and Los Angeles, you could be looking at north of $100 a month. Instead, you can access a ton of online workouts for free using YouTube.
“Even if you plan to hold onto your membership for the longer term, put a vacation hold on your membership if you haven’t already done so,” Conway said.
Services You Can DIY
“Don’t spend money on any services you can do yourself — like yard work or maintenance,” said Howard Dvorkin, CPA, chairman at Debt.com.
Cable Packages You Don’t Need
“Cancel extra cable packages,” Dvorkin said. “I know this seems counterintuitive during isolation, but cutting costs is key until this crisis is over.”
This is especially true if you’re paying extra for sports channels, with so many professional and college sports on hold or playing shortened seasons. If the main reason you have cable is to watch sports, consider cutting the cord altogether and relying on streaming services for the time being instead.
Nonessential Food Spending
Cooking at home can be time-consuming, but it’s a big money saver.
“Having food delivered and going to the drive-thru can get you out of the house, but the cost of feeding your family can quickly add up,” said Leslie Tayne, founder and head attorney at the debt solutions law firm Tayne Law Group. “If you frequently order takeout, a family of four can spend at least $75 each time they order in. If you cook instead, an average meal costs around $30 to prepare. Even if you get takeout once per week, you’ll save almost $200 just by cooking at home.”
On-Demand Movies
“Renting on-demand movies can seem like a good idea until your cable bill arrives, so check out the free selection of movies instead,” Tayne said.
Additionally, if you’re already paying for a streaming subscription service that you want to keep, check its latest arrivals for movies you might have caught in theaters were it not for the pandemic. Hulu, for instance, has the rom-com “Palm Springs,” which was just released in July and largely bypassed theaters.
Retail Therapy
Shopping is one of the few activities you can do from the comfort of your home, but it’s not a smart use of your funds.
“Retailers are trying to minimize their losses by having frequent online sales, so ask yourself if you really need the item in your cart before checking out,” Tayne said. “If you find yourself browsing sales and purchasing items because they’re a ‘good deal,’ consider unsubscribing from the retailer’s list and minimize your time browsing due to boredom.”
Joy Rides
Many people are saving gas money by not having to commute. Put that money into your savings instead of burning through gas unnecessarily.
“Driving around aimlessly to get out of the house can cost a lot in fuel costs,” Tayne said. “If the weather is nice enough outside, walk around your neighborhood instead, and save money while exercising and keeping your mind occupied.”
Premium Apps
“Determine whether you need the premium version of some apps,” said Bobbi Rebell, CFP, personal finance expert with Tally. “You may want to temporarily downgrade some of the apps you use before the next billing cycle.”
Vacation Fund Contributions
If you’ve been contributing regularly to a fund for your next trip or vacation, put those contributions on pause and save the money instead.
“Be proactive and stop your auto-billing for things you aren’t able to use for now, (such as) upcoming trips or vacations,” Rebell said.
Seasonal Memberships
“Review your credit card statements from the last three months and identify any recurring expenses you have that you no longer need,” Rebell said. “Do you have season tickets to events, such as sporting events or theater performances? Don’t assume the auto-billing will stop just because there’s been an event cancellation. Some expenses may be billed quarterly, which is why reviewing three months’ worth of credit card statements is a good idea.”
Gifts
Many celebratory events have been canceled or are on hold, so you’re better off putting the funds you would have spent on gifts for friends and family toward necessities or savings.
“(There are) no bridal showers or birthday parties to attend to for now — you can bring gifts later to rescheduled events,” Rebell said.
Bottled Water
The average American spends roughly $17.50 a month on bottled water, a 2019 survey by Ladder found. While that doesn’t seem like much, it can add up over time. Buy a refillable pitcher to eliminate this unnecessary expense.
Why It’s So Important To Cut Out These Expenses
You might feel that since you’re spending less money by not going out as much, you don’t need to watch what you do spend on; however, tracking how much you spend and cutting out expenses that you don’t need is critical.
“We’re living a time of financial uncertainty, where jobs are at risk and businesses are unsure of their future,” Tayne said. “By reducing expenses of nonessential goods and services, you can increase the amount you save to ensure that you’re still able to pay your bills or have some money in savings if you or a loved one loses their job. Interest rates quickly add up, and the last thing you want to do in a financial situation like this is put yourself further into debt.”
What You Should Be Spending Money On
Prioritize keeping up with your fixed expenses, said Cal Brown, a financial advisor with Savant Capital Management in McLean, Virginia.
“The best way to understand fixed expenses is to think, if you don’t pay them, something bad is going to happen,” he said. “For example, rent or mortgage payments, car payments, utilities and other loan payments.”
In addition to these expenses, Jeffrey Benowitz, CLU, ChFC, a registered representative with Certified Financial Services and Guardian Life in Paramus, New Jersey, said to continue to keep 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,” he said. “Be very careful in this department. You do not want to change an existing policy to save money and have adverse effects if a claim is ever made.”
Keep Contributing To Emergency Savings
Use any savings you get from cutting out unnecessary spending and contribute them to an emergency fund.
“About 40% of Americans can’t handle an emergency costing more than $400, according to a Federal Reserve study, so now is the time to cut down expenses and put that extra money in savings,” said Lindsay Sacknoff, head of consumer deposit and payment products at TD Bank. “Saving is about tradeoffs. Find the things that bring you less value or are added luxuries. Trade those in for savings and more security to plan for what the future may hold.”
The post Things To Cut Out Right Now To Save Money During the Health Crisis appeared first on GoBankingRates and is written by Gabrielle Olya
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