Worried about finances due to coronavirus outbreak? Well the coronavirus pandemic is disturbing everyone emotionally, physically, mentally and of course financially. Peopleacross the world are living in fear of coronavirus attack as it is spreading globally. With no vaccination for this virus yet, people are bound to stay at home to stay safe. That is why the economy has slow down, the stock market is crashed and the expenses are rising up. Wondering how you can keep your personal finances on the right track in this difficult situation?
Consider The Following Tips That Can Help You Deal With Finances During Coronavirus Outbreak:
1. Increase Your Emergency Fund As Soon As Possible
Since it has been observed that the coronavirus pandemic has already impacted and affected the global economy, one needs to be more focused on enhancing their emergency funds. In such scenario, when everything is getting shut and people are not going to work, it makes sense to increase your emergency fund. Ideally, emergency funds should be worth of at least 6 months of your expenses.
2. Make Payments Digitally
If you are making an offline payment for services like home loan, personal loan, car loan, then change it quickly to online payment mode. You must do so because you may not able to pay your EMIs if banks shut down its services due to coronavirus outbreak which can result in late fee charges or loan default. Choose the option of auto-debit from your account to avoid any delays and defaults.
3. Don’t Break Your Long Term Investments In A Huff
As markets are already experiencing unstable situations due to coronavirus attack, it is still advisable that instead of panicking you should take precautions. It is not right to discontinue all your long-term investments in a huff and must give time to the markets to bounce-back. Always remember that the longer you stay invested, the better are chances to get better results.
4. Review Your Health Policy
The treatment costs for coronavirus including hospitalization were covered under most health insurance policies until it has been recently declared by the World Health Organization. Ever since the pandemic announcement, policies that exclude pandemic coverage may not settle claims arising from such cases.
5. Keep Checking Your Budget And Daily Expenses
The time has come when you need to limit your non-essential expenses under such crisis situation. It is necessary to have adequate savings come in handy if situation worsens in near future. After boosting your emergency fund, you need to keep checking your budget and daily expenses and try to keep it minimal as much as you can.
6. Review Your Investments
It is also the time when you need to take stock of your investments and take practical and sensible decisions. Make a list of your total investments and see how much you can withdraw from your investments to handle your finances during crisis.
7. Stock Up Smarter
During the times of lockdown to stay safe from the spread of coronavirus one may feel like stocking up the supplies at the moment. The stocking up of necessary groceries and important medicines comes first in everyone’s mind. Just remember to stock up to limited unit which you will use and should not waste.
8. Trim Spending, Keep Budgeting And Track Your Expenses
As constant changing in economy due to coronavirus outbreak, keeping a budget and tracking your expenses can help you maintain a better control on your finances and give yourself a little relief in this stressful time. Trim your monthly consumption of groceries, internet usage, electricity, cable charges, phone packs and more.
9. Order Less And Cook More
Ordering food provides great comfort and convenience but not a wise idea from controlling finances point of view in difficult times of coronavirus outbreak. Therefore, you should look for mouth-watering recipe ideas that can help you cook your own meal in a best way. Cooking your own can be the most important and useful budget-friendly ideas.
10. Shift Money As Required
In difficult times like this, you might find yourself in need of extra cash due to some unexpected expenses, so use funds from your emergency fund account. Cut down your regular expenses while you are working from home to avoid the spread of coronavirus further, put that saved money into your emergency fund.