Washington County Weekend Post e-edition
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1419557
BPT — A new survey reveals that people are focusing more on saving money due to COVID-19. The Coinstar survey found nearly three out of four people (74%) say they are likely to set aside an emergency fund in the future due to COVID-19. The survey also revealed that people who had savings said they dipped into it more than twice over the course of the past year, highlighting just how important a savings account or an emergency fund can be. The survey also found people reexamining what they spend money on, ways to plan for the future and how to be more conscious of their overall financial picture as a result of the events of the last year. Almost half (46%) of those surveyed said they plan to "tighten their belt" by actively spending less. If you're one of the many Americans looking to improve their financial situation and emergency- proof your finances, here are some tips to get you started. 1. Establish a post-pan- demic budget As people emerge from the pandemic, more options like eating out, entertain- ment and travel are avail- able. Develop a workable budget now, that includes room for discretionary spending, to make it possible to do the things you look forward to when you feel comfortable. 2. Create an emergency fund This year made it clear that even people with stable jobs can have their livelihoods upended by unforeseen events. No matter how you earn a living, it's a good idea to have three to six month' worth of expenses set aside in an account for emergency use only, so you aren't tempted to dip into it for splurges. Start small by setting up automatic deposits from your paycheck into a special savings account, and save up change that you accumulate daily to add to your emergency fund once a month. 3. Consider selling personal items In the survey, nearly one-third (31%) were con- sidering selling personal items to help boost their finances. Spending more time at home has made everyone reevaluate clutter in their homes, and reassess what is necessary or useful. Decluttering by selling items you no longer want or use is a win-win - you get a tidier home, along with a little extra cash to save or spend. And thanks to the internet, there are many platforms available to post items you want to sell. 4. Look for the right side hustle or investment opportunity Over half of those surveyed (57%) have considered picking up an extra job or side hustle. Today's gig economy is full of options for taking on extra work. From being a shopper or rideshare driver to creating items for sale or caring for someone's children or pets, it's important to choose a side hustle that really works for you. It should be some- thing that fits your current schedule and earns enough cash to make the extra effort worthwhile. And if cryptocurrency is your thing, consider making small investments and watch how your investment might grow. You could even have fun dabbling in this new area. 5. Be purposeful with collecting spare change Make a special place where you keep extra change that piles up. Then you can use those coins to pad your emergen- cy fund, or to pay for extras in your post- pandemic life (such as movies, dinners or gas). It's easy to save up and use your spare coins, which you can convert to cash or to a no-fee eGift card at a Coinstar kiosk. You can use some or all of these strategies to help support your financial goals moving forward. With a new approach to budget- ing, earning and saving, you'll feel more confident about whatever the future may hold. For more information on kiosk locations near you to convert your spare change, or use cash for a bitcoin purchase, visit www.coin star.com/findakiosk. Looking to improve your finances? Here are 5 tips 2B • WASHINGTON COUNTY POST • SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2021 GMTODAY.COM