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At this volatile time in our global society, I cannot think of a more popular topic than that of money and finances. Many people are truly struggling to make ends meet, and even though things are slowly getting back to normal, money can still tend to be tight. We have no idea what the future will bring, and while I don’t advocate giving into fear, being prepared and using common sense is a good things to do when it comes to your money. Managing your finances with professionals like Dune Ventures will work for some people, but there are other simple changes you can make to help make this time easier in light of current events.
For some people, just following a few tips will work during this unprecedented time. For those still working or have a sizable amount in their savings account, this crisis may barely touch them. Moreover, those with home businesses or those working remotely may not even experience a change in their status, or it may be minimal at best.
Nevertheless, people are concerned about finances during COVID-19 like never before, and it is beneficial to consider how to manage your assets during this time. Thankfully, there are easy steps you can take now and later to ensure financial security.
Check out your state’s reopening plan.
As things begin to reopen, it is imperative that you keep up-to-date with what your state plan is. More than likely, it is rather fluid and may change from day-to-day or week-to-week. Before you make any long-range plans right now, get the facts by visiting your state’s health website or just doing a simple internet search.
Check out the status of your stimulus check.
Hopefully by now, if you were eligible for a stimulus check, you have received it. If you have not received it, you may consider checking up on it to ensure that it didn’t get lost in the mail or get sent back by mistake. It should be fairly easy to find the support you need online for this.
Find out about student loan relief.
The last thing you need to worry about is paying back your student loans. Hopefully, this is something you have already investigated if it applies to you. For those with serious debt in this area, it might be worth your while to find out if you can defer the payments somehow.
Don’t fall for Coronavirus scams.
Yes, they do exist, and more than likely, you’ve been inundated with them. Someone is always making money off crises like this, and unfortunately, these scammers are very smart. If you are approached by scammers, be sure that you report them to the Federal Trade Commission. Before giving up your money, especially during this time, check out everything so that you know exactly where your money is going. If it sounds too good, it probably is.
File for unemployment if applicable.
Unemployment numbers have been rather high during this time, but help is available. If you are newly unemployed, be sure to check out whether you are eligible. And if you are already collecting unemployment, be sure to do all you can to maintain your eligibility and hopefully, you will be back to work soon.
Small business owners can apply for relief.
This is vital if you own a small business. The pandemic has wreaked havoc on these businesses. Be sure to check out what benefits are available to you and don’t hesitate to apply and continue to checking on the status of that relief.