As panic levels surrounding the virus that shall not be named continue to rise, working from home is becoming the new norm. Office workers have migrated in their millions, and even doctors are talking to patients from home offices.
Sadly, as is fast becoming clear, there are still vast numbers of individuals who don’t have this option. The hospitality industry, in particular, is experiencing unprecedented struggles. Even if your workplace is still in operation, signs of a cough or even underlying health conditions mean that it’s simply no longer possible to get out and earn your living.
This is a frightening time for all, but don’t think that your finances are doomed just because you’re staying inside. In truth, facing this issue head-on by considering the following from-home monetary lifelines could well mean that this period of pandemic isn’t as much of a strain as you’re expecting.
# 1 – Know what you’re entitled to
There are millions of individuals facing layoffs or self-isolation periods across the world right now, and governments do seem to be realising that. As such, doing your research into what you’re entitled to could at least give your finances a boost until things settle. In the UK, for instance, there’s been talks of raising the standard £94.25 statutory pay rate to help lower earners, as well as promising to hasten the speed with which payments are made available. With the majority of countries taking similar measures, your time off might not need to be entirely unpaid, after all.
# 2 – Get online
Even if your job doesn’t allow you to work from home, there are plenty of ways you can continue to earn online. This is the time to start that blog at last, or to finally build your YouTube audience. Even if those options don’t appeal to you, simple selling sites make it possible to sell stuff from your home without once having to leave. You could even check out listings like those at Free Bet, that allow you to start doubling your money or more without for free on all the top betting sites. While it may take a while for these methods to equal the pay you’ve lost, they can at least keep you afloat. Who knows; you might be able to grow your efforts here to such a degree that you’re able to break from work indefinitely.
# 3 – Revisit your budget
Revisiting our overall budgets is always vital after a loss of income. As such, it’s vital you also reconsider how you’re spending your money in light of whatever income you’re now achieving. Again, considering your options can be invaluable, with many countries offering tax and loan breaks that can make a smaller budget far more manageable. Think, too, about costs you can cut in light of your new situation such as gym memberships or store cards for your favourite shops. Simple shaving expenses like these could mean that your new pandemic budget is nothing to panic about, after all.
