If Doing Less Means Saving More, Try These 5 Money Moves

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The coronavirus has upended countless jobs, schools and bank accounts. But while undoubtedly more people are struggling than not, those who are still working may have seen their expenses actually drop due to canceled travel, limited dining options and more time at home.

If youve managed to end up with extra money during the pandemic, heres how to take advantage of those savings.

1. START OR FILL OUT AN EMERGENCY FUND

2020 has served as a stark reminder that unexpected things can happen, and when they do, its a good idea to be prepared.

We say if you have a steady job, your contingency fund should be three to six months of expenses, says Tara Unverzagt, certified financial planner and founder of South Bay Financial Partners in Torrance, California. I would bulk it up even more because of uncertainty. Ive never known anyone to be upset because they had too much cash, but have known lots of people who were upset they didnt have enough.

That level of savings is a stretch goal for many people; an extended period of reduced expenses may provide you with the opportunity to finally reach it. Establishing an emergency fund is one of the best things you can do for your future self, and if you put it in a high-yield online savings account, it will benefit from a higher interest rate than a regular savings account.

You dont want to invest your emergency fund because your primary goal for that money is accessibility, not growth. The stock market goes up and down, and theres a real risk that it could go down just when you need the money. At best, that could mean having to sell your investments at a loss to pull cash out. At worst, it could mean your money wont be there when you need it most.

2. INVEST FOR RETIREMENT

If you havent ventured into the world of investing yet, it may feel like a scary time to start given all the volatility in the market lately. The good news is that volatility doesnt cause much harm when youre investing for a long-term goal like retirement: The peaks and valleys due to the coronavirus will likely appear much smaller over time.

If you havent started investing, there are two easy jumping-off points: your employers 401(k) if it offers one and an IRA. Both are accounts that can help you invest for retirement with some tax benefits. Roth IRAs, for instance, allow your money to grow and be taken out in retirement tax-free.

Even if youre already contributing to a 401(k) or an IRA, you may want to consider upping that contribution. Every extra bit you can put toward retirement goes a long way. Lets say your reduced expenses mean you can save an extra $500 a month over the next year. If you have 30 years until retirement and you earn a 6% return, that $6,000 you invest could add over $34,000 to your retirement balance a significant boost.

And because you can always change how much youre contributing, you can decrease the amount youre putting toward retirement if and when your spending habits return to normal.

3. SAVE FOR NONRETIREMENT GOALS

Retirement is a common goal, but it likely isnt the only one you have. If youre on track for retirement, consider putting extra funds toward other things: college for your kids, a new car or a dream vacation (which youll have plenty of time to save for, since most people arent traveling right now).

Investing can help you achieve those goals faster than just saving, but keep in mind that you generally dont want to invest money youll need within five years. (Like an emergency fund, savings for near-term goals should go into safer options, like a high-yield savings account). On the other hand, if youre starting a college fund for a newborn, that money will have approximately 18 years to take advantage of the markets returns.

If youve found yourself in a position of privilege during this global pandemic and have been able to save some extra money, you may also want to consider increasing your charitable contributions. Keep in mind, you may be able to deduct your charitable donations when tax time rolls around.

4. EXPLORE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS

If youre interested in investing in real estate, you dont have to start renovating an old barn or putting up shiplap. One of the easiest ways to invest in real estate is to invest in real estate investment trusts. REITs are companies that own (and sometimes operate) real estate that generates income, such as apartment buildings. Publicly traded REITs are bought and sold on exchanges, just like stocks, and have similar liquidity, meaning you can sell them with relative ease.

5. GET SOME HELP

When you suddenly find yourself with extra money, it can be difficult to figure out the best way to put it to use. Financial advice is widely available these days, and its often inexpensive. Online financial advisors and robo-advisors have brought the cost of investment management and financial planning down significantly, and both are good options for when youre feeling lost.

These advisors can also help you stay hands-off with your portfolio during turbulent times in the market by ensuring that your investments are aligned with your risk tolerance. Robo-advisors offer investment management and typically charge between 0.25% and 0.50% of your assets per year. If you need assistance developing a more comprehensive financial plan in addition to investment management, it may be a good idea to enlist the help of a financial advisor.

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This article originally appeared on the personal finance website NerdWallet. Alana Benson is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: [email protected].