The COVID-19 virus has dealt a severe blow to the economy, and it’s being felt on the frontlines. Food banks in Phoenix and other cities in Arizona are seeing a surge in demand and the trend is showing no signs of slowing down. The conditions are forcing families to not only cut down, but find creative ways to save on their everyday expenses. Let’s take a look at a few things you can do to save money during this pandemic.

Take Advantage of Coupons and Deals

A lot of retailers are trying to lure people back into their stores and one of the ways they do it is through offers and coupons. Businesses distribute coupons because it generates business for them and allows them a chance to sell you on other items in their store.

Stores like Kohl’s are known for releasing coupons regularly and you can find Kohls discount codes online easily at any given time. These are also stores that are known for offering great value for the price, so that would be a great time to start looking for offers and stock up on some essentials.

Invest in a Chest Freezer

You can also expect the price of meats to start increasing. For this reason, buying a chest freezer could be the best decision you’ve ever made. This will allow you to capitalize on specials, not only on meat, but on certain vegetables as well. Veggies like broccoli, carrots, green beans, or corn can all be frozen and will keep their freshness.

Another thing you could do is buy primal cuts of meat, or look for alternatives for some more expensive cuts. For instance, chuck roast can be used as a substitute for brisket or even rib eye when cooked correctly. So, try to find those less popular cuts that offer more bang for your buck. Other options include flank, skirt, and hanger steak.

Try to Renegotiate Deals with Some of Your Providers

If you’ve never tried bargaining down your insurance premiums or cell phone plans, now is the perfect time to do so. Rates are never set in stone and you can usually find a way to work out a deal if you’ve been with a provider for a while. 

This is also the time to take advantage of all the options that are available to you right now. You should be looking for a new deal on utilities and insurance every year. Yes, every year.

Providers don’t care about established clients as much as new ones, so don’t expect them to give you a nice offer out of loyalty. You want to make them fear you leaving instead. This means calling them up prepared with competing offers to give them a chance to match them.

These are all tips you could apply right now to reduce your costs and save a little bit of money during these tough times. Make sure that you follow them and always try to find creative ways to stretch your dollar whenever you can.