Food

Lost Your Job? Get Help & Get Food Stamps Now

It may be something that you thought was totally unthinkable a few short weeks ago, but the reality of the coronavirus pandemic is facing everyone right now, and for some it is both a health and a financial nightmare. If you recently lost your job, are not getting any unemployment compensation, haven’t received any stimulus check yet, or have no emergency funds to back you and your family up, you may now need and qualify to get food stamps.

If you've lost your job and need help with food, you may be eligible for food stamps now. Read on for the details and rules.

The “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” and Food Stamps

In general, people usually need to meet some kind of work requirement to be eligible for SNAP (otherwise known as food stamps), but those rules under the new pandemic guidelines are now in suspension so that losing your job and not being able to find work right now will not disqualify you.

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Income and Career

The “Virtual” Solution to Your Money Problems

If you feel like today is March 38th, you are not alone. The coronavirus pandemic has broken lots of records and one of them is extending March into what seems to be the longest, loneliest month in all of history. I’m not kidding here.

If you're struggling financially during this crisis, virtual jobs may be the answer to your money problems. Here are several jobs and how to get started.

Since I write about finances and money issues rather than medical problems, I’d like to say this: There are some solutions to the money issues and problems you are facing, so don’t throw in the towel just yet. Consider virtual jobs as the solution to your money situation!

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Income and Career

Do You Check All of These Boxes as Sources Of Income?

As you go through daily life, that is normal daily life, you primarily think about income as the money you earn from some sort of a job. For most people, it’s money paid to you from an employer, the business you report to every day and who pays you a check every week or two. If you have a real skill and are lucky, you may even have your own business and be the boss.

When it comes to sources of income, there are many ways to generate cash. Here are 12 types of income you should plan now for the future.

That’s the way it was before the pandemic hit. Now, getting a weekly paycheck for getting up and heading to a job seems like it was a past life for an awful lot of people. I was just speaking to someone on the phone that has only been home for four days and he is already going crazy with anxiety. He is not alone.

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Frugality, Personal Finance

Crisis Time – The Wants Versus Needs Test

In an event that’s so horrific like this pandemic, I am searching for something to cling to and be able to continue writing here. At some point, and I wish I knew when, life will once again become more normal. And when that happens, personal finances will once again be a huge topic of conversation. But, actually, it really is even right now. It all comes down to wants versus needs.

During this pandemic crisis, it's critical that you can distinguish wants versus needs and save money wherever you can. All of us will need to save.

Now, during a real crisis, is one of those times when it’s particularly important to understand what you really need, as opposed to stuff you just want. The COVID-19 pandemic is the reason why prioritizing your needs has become so important. It was perhaps all just fun and games for some before this so called “gut punch”, but it’s not anymore!

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Entertainment

The Ultimate Guide of Fun Things to Do Online for Free

With many of us in quarantine or isolation to try to halt the spread of the coronavirus, your computer (or smartphone or tablet) is your gateway to the world. Even though we should be productive with work and/or household chores, it’s also important to take some time for fun. Fortunately, many organizations and individuals have been making their online resources free for viewing, which brings us to…the ultimate guide of fun things to do online for free!

To keep you entertained while you're hunkered down at home, here are fun things to do online for free, including classes, performances, and field trips.

The range of activities available online include educational classes, performances, virtual tours/field trips, books, fitness classes, and more. (I didn’t even include your favorite blogs and podcasts.) And many are family-friendly. Some of these activities were always free, others have been made free because of the pandemic. And you know that free is my favorite word!

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Food, More

Places That Help with Food During the Coronavirus Pandemic

One of the big concerns, among the many other concerns we have during the coronavirus pandemic, is about getting food. Although there is no real food shortage, shoppers are stripping stores of staples and straining the process of restocking. It is very apparent that many people are afraid that if they don’t stock up and even horde food, they may run out over time while we are hunkered down in our homes. Others who have lost their livelihoods due to the restrictions may find it difficult to afford to buy food, while seniors and other vulnerable people may be worried about going out to shop. That’s why it’s more important than ever to know about places that help with food.

Places that help with food have become critical during the coronavirus pandemic. Here is a list of places where you can get help or give help and donate.

The closing of our borders because of the spread of the virus, especially to the south and Mexico, is going to create a shortage of workers who pick and process the fresh fruits and vegetables we will need shortly, but for the moment that is not the problem.

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Credit

Your Credit Rating Is So Important Right Now!

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I had planned a new post today about the subject of credit. But I decided to change it. The global pandemic caused me to take a totally different look at the importance of credit right now, mainly because having good credit has become way more significant today than it was even just a few days ago. Why? COVID-19, the coronavirus, that’s why.

With the current pandemic and our economy at the brink of recession/depression, the importance of credit has never been as significant as it is right now.

They Say “Cash” Is King, But…

For almost forever, it seems credit and your credit rating have been at the center of the discussion when it comes to your finances. Long before I started writing about it myself, I knew that building up my credit would be important. Because one day I wanted to buy a house, a car, and lots of other “things” that I wanted and I would need my credit to help me purchase them. Despite the fact that at times, having credit can wind up getting you to overspend and landing you in trouble and big debt, if you use good common sense and control your impulses to spend, your good credit works for you.

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Debt, Personal Finance, Saving & Investing

“March Madness” – Can You Believe More Fed Cuts?

Opinions are like noses: everyone has one and this one is mine. It’s official. The coronavirus has created complete chaos in our lives and the actions in Washington to combat it are literally creating a whole new “March madness” by the hour!

Another surprise Fed rate cut has happened, but will it help with the economy, much less the COVID-19 coronavirus?

I try really hard to avoid putting my 2 cents (formerly 3 cents before I suffered the recent stock market losses) in this blog about politics. Occasionally it slips in, but that occurs only when I feel it’s necessary. Today, it’s necessary.

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