So, friends, how is life?
Probably a lot different than it was just a year ago, eh?
Yeah. Coronavirus really sucks.
This whole social distancing thing has been a huge disruption to millions of people. Some can’t go to work, meet for coffee, go to the gym or the library. Many have lost their income, health benefits, and now need to dip into what little savings they have.
And some have lost loved ones.
This isn’t just a lifestyle hiccup. A lot of people’s lives (including mine) have been completely upended.
It could be easy to fall into a downward spiral of doubt and worry and fear. When things are bad, the unknown is super scary.
But, a little finance tune-up can go a long way in helping you avoid a personal financial crisis. Making a few adjustments and taking steps to prepare for an economic recession will minimize the impact a pandemic can have on your finances.
That’s why I’ve created this financial crisis checklist. The 8 simple tasks listed below can help you keep an emergency from turning into a catastrophe.
Money stuff isn’t the most fun, and it’s easy to put it on the back burner. Especially if “normal” life is already full and busy. But, now that excuse doesn’t really hold up.
If you’ve been avoiding tedious and annoying money tasks for a while, it’s time to get serious about protecting your financial situation from the current world-wide health pandemic. You can avoid any current financial troubles getting worse by applying smarter money management during a crisis.
You can print out this post as a checklist to help you go through each step!
Table of Contents
#1 Do a budget tune-up
With the economy as uncertain as it is right now, it’s a good idea to do a little budget tune-up.
Find those areas that tend to go over budget. This can often be groceries and dining out, but also discretionary expenses like entertainment and clothing. These are the categories that you can start restricting.
Depending on your situation, you may need to either cut down or eliminate anything optional. At the very least, find those leaks that are draining your account and make adjustments to save more money.
Also, make sure you’re being honest about what’s a necessity and what’s *not*. If you want your money to last, you’ll probably need to make some sacrifices, at least until things get back to some type of normal.
You may have to live on a tight budget for a while. Take the time now (while you have it) to create a spending plan that will sustain you through this crazy time.
If you’re not even on a budget, now’s the time to jump on board. When you know where every dollar is going, you have more control of your money and experience less stress and anxiety.
#2 Review your emergency fund
If you have an emergency fund already in place, you’re feeling a bit more secure than a lot of people right now. Everywhere you look are reports of layoffs, people losing their jobs, and unemployment claims skyrocketing. My husband has been furloughed until the end of the year.
Check your emergency fund balance and determine the best way to use that money. If you do get furloughed or laid off, you will definitely want to apply for unemployment. If you qualify, you can also receive benefits through federal programs such as the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) . Don’t lose out on this!
Figure out what your total state benefit will be and make a plan for how your emergency fund will supplement that income. Then, if you can, continue to add to your savings. Even $25 a week is better than nothing. This will help your emergency savings last even longer.
If you don’t have an emergency fund, I imagine you’re feeling pretty anxious right now. My advice to you is don’t stress out. Stress affects your decision-making ability, so you want to be calm and clear-headed as you figure out your finances.
Start with task #1 on this list, and track every penny. If you have to, pause any retirement fund and college plan contributions. And, you may have to stop tithing and charitable giving for a while. That’s okay! During a crisis you need to be focused on how you can best use the money you have to support your family. Remember – this is temporary. You’ll get through it.
Do your homework and find out the options you have. Governmental support, unemployment benefits, deferment of debt payments, and retirement fund loans can all help you get through this difficult time.
#3 Go shopping
No, not that kind of shopping.
Call up your insurance agent and see if you can reduce any of your premiums. Most people just stick with the same insurance plans year after year and never bother to find a better deal.
Well, you’ve got some time now – might as well try to save a few bucks. Rates tend to change rapidly, so it’s likely your provider could give you some new quotes that keep money in your pocket.
If money is especially tight, consider increasing your deductibles and removing non-essential coverages in order to bring your premium down.
Also, do a little research on cheaper options for other expenses such as cell phone plans, cable, and internet service. In recent years, less expensive options have become available (like Ting or Republic Wireless).
As a new customer, you’re often given a temporary promotional rate. This is a great way to save extra right now while you’re tightening up your finances. Just make sure when the promotion ends, your regular payment is still a good deal.
#4 Find a better home for savings
If you’re stashing savings in a regular savings account, you’re losing out on extra money.
Spend some of your free time looking for a good high-yield savings account. Even 1% is better than zero!
You’ll probably find the best options at online banks. They don’t have the expense of maintaining physical buildings, so can offer higher rates than the national average.
If you’re comfortable banking online, be sure to read the fine print that explains minimum balances and fees. Also, compare the tools that each online bank offers to find the best one that suits you.
#5 Lower your high-interest rates on debt
Pull out those credit card statements and took a good, hard look at what you’re paying in interest. *Fair warning*: you might get a little nauseous.
Now is a great time to figure out how to lower those interest rates. My personal strategy is to find the best 0% interest credit card promo I can find, and transfer all of my credit card debt to it. (Right now I have a U.S. Bank visa with 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 20 months.) Yes, I’ll have to pay a 3% fee, but that’s less than what I’d pay in interest.
If you have a good credit score (680 or above), you can consolidate your high-interest debt into a personal loan with a better rate. If your score is lower, call your card company and negotiate a rate reduction. Given the current climate, now is a great opportunity to arrange for more favorable terms with your debtors, especially if those terms allow you to continue making payments on time.
Lastly, if you’re still employed, it’s a great time to refinance your mortgage. Rates are at all-time lows, and this alone could potentially save you hundreds every month.
#6 Check your credit report
Whenwas the last time you checked your credit report? If you’re anything like me, it’s been a while. It’s just one of those boring things to do that gets pushed to the bottom of the to-do list.
Well, if you’re home watching Netflix, turn off the TV and go request your free credit report. You’re entitled to one every 12 months from *each* of the 3 main credit bureaus.
You don’t need to pull all three at once. Pick one (Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion), and then go to annualcreditreport.com and print yours out.
Look it over and confirm that all personally indentifiable information is still correct. Then, review all activity in the report to make sure everything is accurate and complete.
If you find anything that you don’t recognize, this could be fraudulent activity or a mistake. Either way, contact the business of that account and file a claim to have those activities investigated.
There are several good reasons to check your credit report, and it’s one way to protect your personal finances during a crisis.
#7 Do your taxes
Although the federal government extended the 2019 income tax filing and payment deadline from April 15 to July 15, some people still haven’t filed.
If you’re one of them, try to get them done as soon as possible so you can avoid more financial trouble. Delaying the filing of your taxes only adds interest and penalty fees on to what you owe.
If you’re stalling because you can’t pay all of the tax due on your return, the IRS may be able to help you establish a payment agreement. So, reach out and find out what your options are!
If you’re due a refund, get that sucker filed as soon as you can. There’s no penalty if you didn’t file on time. But, you canlose your refund if your file for a refund after the statute of limitations has expired (3 years).
The last thing you want to do is avoid the inevitable. Either you’d be missing out on extra money now, or you’ll be hit with a bill that you might struggle to pay later.
You have the time now, so just bite the bullet and git’r dun.
#8 Assess your asset allocation
Our 401(k) took a hard hit when all this corona-craziness started happening. So, my husband and I got on the phone with Fidelity to talk about things like financial objectives, risk tolerance, and asset allocation.
The rep told us that checking in with your retirement fund twice a year is a good idea, but quarterly is even better.
This is to keep an eye on your fund’s performance, and determine if the current investments are still in line with the level of risk you’re willing to accept.
I recommend calling up your representative or financial advisor and getting some input from a pro. If you haven’t rebalanced your portfolio in a while, now’s a good time to look at the options.
What you *don’t* want to do is “panic-sell” while the market is down. Talk to someone who can give you perspective and knowledgeable advice for your situation.
Don’t forget to download & print out this list to help you work through each step!
Use this financial crisis checklist to avoid a catastrophe
Feelings like worry and anxiety can prevent you from seeing the big picture. It’s important to keep a proper perspective in such uncertain times, so make sure you’re seeking wise input. Turn off the news and close the paper if you have to.
Then, start doing something productive. You probably have projects around the house that have been waiting on the back burner for a while. Pull out those dusty board games and spend quality time with your family. Take a book off the shelf and learn something new.
And, take the time to work through this financial crisis checklist so you can prevent an emergency from turning into a catastrophe. Reviewing different areas of your finances will give you a realistic perspective of your current money situation, and let you know what needs adjustment or improvement.
I know it might be the last thing you want to do, especially if you’re feeling some fear right now. But, once you confront these important money management tasks and take control, you’ll feel empowered and equipped to handle any circ*mstance that arises from the current global crisis we’re all going through.
Being proactive and taking control of your current situation is how you survive a personal financial crisis. Having a plan to protect your money will also reduce stress and increase confidence.
Even with all the chaos going on around us, we each have so much opportunity to make improvements. In relationships, health, personal growth, and yes – even finances.
So, don’t waste this precious time. Make the most of it, so you can come out the other end stronger and better for it.
Other posts you may be interested in:
- How To Save $5000 In A Year
- 11 Effective Ways To Stay Motivated With Your Goals
- The Purpose Of A Budget: 17 Powerful Benefits
- 3 Smart Reasons To Put Savings Before Debt
- How To Live On Last Month’s Income (and Why You Should)
- 14 (Mostly Free) Online Money Management Tools
- How To Live Within Your Means (and Still Be Content)
- Financial Health Checkup: 7 Steps To Boost Your Fiscal Well-being
- How To Escape Debt With A DIY Debt Management Plan
- The Zero-Sum Budget Resource Guide
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