Money Management in 2020 and Beyond: This Year’s Top Posts

This year has been called a lot of names. “Dumpster fire,” “train wreck,” and “roller coaster” are a few of the tamer examples. And aside from the obvious stress we’ve endured thanks to Covid-19, many of us have also struggled financially, despite coronavirus stimulus packages and other efforts.

But if we’re lucky, with experience comes wisdom. And since it feels like we’ve squeezed seven years into one, maybe we’re moving forward even wiser than we realize. So, as we emerge from the emotional and financial bar brawl that has been 2020, let’s pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and march into 2021, bruised perhaps, yet determined.

To help you start off the New Year with the benefit of hindsight in money management, here is a round-up of the knowledge we gathered from our top 10 posts of 2020.

Money management 101

There’s nothing like a crisis to make you realize how well — or not — you’re managing your finances. This year has served as a sobering reminder of how important it is to make and keep a budget, build up an emergency fund, and know where your money is going every month. Here are some helpful money management posts from 2020:

• Reducing Expenses During a Sudden Financial Hardship

• Your Emergency Financial First Aid Kit

• 5 Money Management Skills to Help You Improve Your Finances

Even if you’ve been less than disciplined up to this point, there’s no time like the present to make a fresh start and begin building new financial habits.

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Coronavirus stimulus efforts

There are few people who can say they weren’t adversely affected by COVID-19 and the lockdown measures enacted in response. Businesses have stalled or closed completely, workers have lost their jobs, and of course some have lost loved ones. Consequently, legislators have tried to provide some assistance, which we covered for our readers this year:

• Coronavirus Stimulus Package: What It Means for You

• Will We Get Another Stimulus Check?

Of course, while these governmental band-aids may help in the short term, they can’t replace sound money management and debt strategies by individuals and families. So, while it’s good to know what help is available to you, it’s best to pair that aid with long-term planning to improve your overall financial well-being.

Debt management strategies

Unfortunately, the financial strain of 2020 sent many people further into debt, despite various coronavirus stimulus measures. So, on top of the stress of a global pandemic and a chaotic election year, you may be wondering about your options for debt management or loan forbearance. Here are our top blogs with information on these programs.

• How to Use Your Home Equity to Pay Off Student Loans

• How to Stop Debt Collection Calls

• Will Coronavirus Testing Add to My Medical Debt?

• How to Get a Home Equity Loan with Bad Credit

• How to Ask Creditors for Loan and Credit Card Forbearance

While 2020 has seen an increase in debt for some families, it’s also provided us the opportunity to take a hard look at what our essential expenses are, what we can do without, and how important it is to get out of debt as quickly as possible while managing our finances better. So, even though we don’t know what 2021 will entail, we can at least march into it with more knowledge and resolve to get our financial houses in order (we might as well, since we’re still stuck at home for a while).

Stay informed and equipped with the tools you need

Whether you’re struggling to get by or simply need to get out of debt as soon as you can, having the right information and strategies can make all the difference. So, as you make new resolutions and work to improve your money management skills, come back and visit our blogs for free news and information throughout 2021. From updates on coronavirus stimulus laws, to proven strategies for controlling your debt, we can help you stay informed and make the right decisions for your financial future.

Learn More

• Talk to a Creditor About Loan Forbearance: A Step by Step Guide (Freedom Debt Relief)

• How the Pandemic Has Changed Americans’ Spending and Saving Habits (CNN)

• Second Stimulus Check: We Mapped Out Dates Your Next Payment Could Actually Arrive (CNET)