It’s been a rough few months, hasn’t it? The future is unknown for so many, and people are left grappling with how to pay their bills, buy groceries, pay their rent or mortgage, and have very little money, if any, left over to save.
An article from CNBC from July of 2019 states that roughly 40% of Americans would struggle to come up with $400 for an unexpected expense. Add in the recent devastation left behind due to COVID-19, and it may be even more difficult to save for such an expense.
We want to help our members in any way we can, and it can be hard to see clearly when the future looks so foggy. Here are some easy ideas that could help you save up for an emergency fund:
Rummage Sale
- Summertime is the perfect time to clean out all those things in your house that you don’t need or use. Your local town or city might have a city-wide rummage sale day, find out when it is and add your address to the map. Side tip: people come to rummage sales and expect to bargain, mark your items up a little higher. Those clothes your teen doesn’t wear anymore? Instead of setting them out for $1 for a quick sale, mark them up to $3. It’s still a great bargain, and if someone haggles you down to $2, you’ve still made double you originally would have!
Babysitting
- Michigan is getting ready to re-open, and people will surely be anxious to be out and about again. Reach out to some friends and family members and see if they’re looking to find a sitter for those nights they might want to have a kid-free dinner or an evening out with friends.
DIY Projects
- If you’re handy with power tools, search Pinterest or similar sites for DIY ideas that you could make for a small amount of money, and sell for higher on your local for sale groups. Cornhole boards, quote signs, side tables, and many other items might be popular in your area!
Lemonade Stand
- An oldie, but a goodie. A lemonade stand is inexpensive, has potential for great profits, and just brings a sense of nostalgia that we all love. If you have kids, include them in the process! It is a great way for them to see the value in creating and selling a product for money. Make sure to reach out to your local health department to see if you need a permit!
Slow and Steady
- Saving money can take a while. It can feel exhausting and you may ask yourself, how will I ever be able to put money away? Start small. $5 one week, then up to $10. It takes time to save and to get into the habit of saving. Slow and steady will win the race. You deserve to have the peace of mind that if something unexpected comes up, you have the money set aside.
If you are finding it hard to catch your breath, it’s okay. Take a moment, catch your breath, and keep pushing forward. You will get through this. Your financial future is important, and helping you achieve financial freedom is our vision for all our members. We are here if you need us.
