Having someone by your side is one of the best and surest ways to survive the global COVID-19 pandemic and all the troubles that come with it. Sharing your life with someone who loves you and is always there for you is crucial in this day and age, but the pandemic isn’t the only issue you have to worry about. If you’re a gay couple struggling with financial issues, you’ll have to deal with all those people in your area who don’t understand your sexual orientation and the fact that you need lots of money if you want to have a normal life. Luckily, there are a few ways to save money on a daily basis and stretch your budget, so if that’s something you’d like to do as well, here are a few tips to take into consideration.
If you travel, pick the right destination
| Traveling in the middle of a global pandemic might not sound like the best way to spend your free time, but if you’re determined to do that, pick a budget-friendly location. Avoiding expensive locations makes sense in the long run, so opt for affordable places that might be just as exciting and inviting. Another thing you should worry about is whether your preferred destination is gay-friendly or not. Even though we’re deep into the 21st century, lots of regions around the world are still unopen to a gay couple, and these are the places you should simply avoid. Being frowned upon and having to deal with ignorant people is no way to spend your holiday, so just stick to places that are open to gay couples and will welcome you with open arms. |
Split expenses and plan ahead
This might not be the simplest thing you’ll ever do, but if you want to save some money, splitting expenses is a great idea that can go a long way. Instead of having one partner pay for all the expenses all the time, just go 50/50 and you’ll end up saving tons of money in the long run. Ultimately, if you stick to this idea for just a couple of months, you might be surprised how much money you’ll have left.
If you’re not into splitting expenses and don’t feel comfortable doing that, you might go in the opposite direction and talk about your shared future. Moving in together and paying one rent instead of two is a great way to save quite a lot of money every single month. You can always reuse this money and invest it in your future – from planning a wedding to buy a home, planning ahead and making smart decisions is always a great idea.
Look into different options
It doesn’t matter what you’re buying – asking around and looking into different options is certainly better than buying the first thing you find. Yes, this might be an easier and more convenient alternative, but it’s not always the most inexpensive one, which is why you should never be afraid to invest some time and energy into finding cheaper options. This goes for everything you buy, including the least expensive items on your shopping list. In fact, if you manage to save just a few bucks on each of these, you and your partner might have a chance to save quite a lot on a yearly basis. And if you live in well-organized places such as Australia, for example, you might take your efforts to another level and find a way to pay for your purchases several months after making them. Looking into a useful payment solution such as the Humm buy now pay later in Australia could help you become financially stable and make the most of this delayed payment platform, so check this idea out right now! |
Find a way to earn money
Earning extra money during the pandemic is challenging, but definitely doable, and if you and your partner are having financial problems, this might be a way to solve them. The idea is quite simple – if you can’t save money, then start earning more money, and that’s it!
Some of the ways to earn money in the age of COVID-19 include selling everything you don’t need or use anymore, taking online polls and surveys, selling your collectibles, and getting some new freelance work. This way, you’ll boost your home budget and you won’t have to worry about money anymore.
Being frugal is never easy, especially now, but it’s doable, so find ideas that work for you the most and start turning them into reality today!
QUEERGURU Correspondent PETER MINKOFF is a gay health and lifestyle writer at QUEER VOICES magazine.
Besides writing, he worked as a freelance fashion stylist in Europe and Australia.
A true craft beer and soy latte aficionado, he loves spending his days at the beach and visiting second hand stores
on a daily basis. Follow Peter on TWITTER for more tips.
