Kathryn Vercillo

How To Make Money While Decluttering

May 21, 2020 By Kathryn Vercillo Leave a Comment

I love decluttering. I don’t actually know how I end up with so much extra stuff, but it seems to regularly creep up on me. I find it invigorating to clean it up, organize it, and get rid of what no longer serves me. In addition to improving my mental and physical space, sometimes I even make money while decluttering. It’s not usually the goal for me, but it’s a nice side benefit. And during times of financial strain, it can actually help a lot to make money while decluttering.

Benefits of Decluttering

There are so many benefits of decluttering. Personally, when I have a clear space, it clears my mind. This is true for many people. Sometimes when I can’t get a project done or focus on my work, I’ll take a few minutes to declutter the space. Afterwards, I feel better. Then I’m able to proceed with less mental clutter.

Additional benefits of decluttering include:

Gaining a clear picture of what you have in your space, so you don’t purchase extra items unnecessarily
Reducing costs of storage fees and/or more living space at home
Improved health due to less dust and other hygiene concerns
Better heating and cooling efficiency in the home because of improved air flow
Stress-reduction and lower rates of anxiety
Cleaning becomes easier since you have less stuff to work around
Easier to find what you need and enjoy the things you love the most

Of course, if you can also make money while decluttering then that’s another benefit.

Methods of Decluttering

There are many different approaches to decluttering. You might have to try a few different methods before you find the one that works best for you. That’s totally okay. The relationships we have with our stuff and our spaces are just that – relationships. Not all relationships work the same. Figure out what works for you.

Some of the most popular decluttering methods include:

Marie Kondo’s KonMari method, in which you strategically go room by room, keeping only what “sparks joy”
Swedish Death Cleaning, in which you clear out your home as if you were about to die and don’t want to leave your mess to others
Dana K. White’s Container Method, in which you see each room – and each smaller space within that room – as a container designed to hold one type of object
Do you love it? Need it? Use it regularly? If not, perhaps you should declutter it.

Find the approach that works for you so that you can have the level of clutter (or lack thereof) that feels right in your home without the decluttering process becoming a chore.

Tips for Decluttering With An Eye Towards Making Money

Regardless of which method of decluttering you choose to use, you can approach it with an eye towards making money in the process. Here are some key tips to keep in mind if you want to make money while you declutter:

As you declutter, organize the things that you don’t intend to keep. Place books with books, clothing with clothing, etc. This will make it easier to figure out what to sell where when the time comes.
Focus especially on finding high-ticket items that you can declutter. If you have two iPads, you may come up with reasons that you can use both. However, if you focus on the items in your house that are worth the most money then you might realize that you don’t need to keep the second one after all.
Set aside items that are seasonal. If you want to make money while decluttering, then you have to be smart about it. Certain items only sell in certain seasons. While it’s not worth it to keep low-value items until the “right” season, it can be smart with higher-ticket items.

5 Ways to Make Money While Decluttering

Some people choose to declutter their entire homes, collecting items for sale, and then sell the items all at the same time once the cleaning is complete. Other people choose to do a little bit of decluttering at a time, selling a few things here and there as they go. There is no right or wrong way.

Whatever you choose to do, here are some of the ways that you can sell the items you’re ready to let go of:

1. Locate Great Buyers for Specialty Items

If you have unique items that you’re ready to part with then it’s worth it to take the time to find the right buyer. These would be high-value or rare items. Items that might fall into this category include:

Vintage items
High-end furniture
Designer clothing
Art
Vehicles

In other words, if you have anything that is valuable because it is rare or collectible, you should sell it to the right people. The individuals or institutions that purchase such items will pay the most for the things that they desire. For example, if you ave a rare piece of art, you will want If you want to make money while decluttering, this is a great place to start.

2. List High-Ticket Items For Sale Online Individually

If you aren’t able to find specific buyers for things that have good value, then you can list them for sale online. You want to think about your time investment vs. the amount of money that you will make. For example, if you have 100 books for sale but each is worth only a few pennies, then it’s probably not worth your time to list every book individually.

However, if you have popular brand clothing in good condition, gadgets and electronics, and other items that are worth a little bit more then you can list them for sale individually. Some of the places online where you can list items for sale include:

eBay
Craigslist
Amazon (although the rules around this have been changing recently)
Facebook Marketplace

3. List “Lots” of Items for Sale Online

When you have a lot of little items to declutter, it usually makes sense to try to sell them as a lot. For example, list a “box of books” for sale on any of the sites highlighted above. There are also many places where you can sell groups of the same items.

For example, you can package up a box of clothing and send it to a site like ThredUp which will list everything for sale for you then pay you the it sells. Also think about “buy back” websites. For example, there are several websites that “buy back” used textbooks at the end of each semester. There are also cell phone and electronics “buy back” websites. Look at what you have, search online for a “buy back” option, and see what choices you have available to you.

4. Sell Items to Local Stores

You don’t have to sell groups of items (or individual items for that matter) online. You can also go local. For example, I used to take boxes of books to my local used bookstore. They would sort through them and buy what they wanted. I would typically just ask them to donate the rest. After all, if you’re decluttering, you don’t want to bring the extras back home. If you’ve ever sold clothing to Buffalo Exchange or Crossroads Trading Company, then you’re already familiar with how this works. You might also be able to place some valuable items for sale on consignment with local stores.

5. Have a Yard Sale

If you have a random assortment of stuff that you want to sell, a good old fashioned yard sale is still a terrific option. You won’t get rich having a yard sale. However, you will declutter things quickly. You will make a little bit of money in the process.

3 Ways to Save Money With Decluttered Items

Sometimes you can’t sell your items, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be profitable to you. You just have to get creative. Think of ways to save money as you get rid of the things that you don’t want anymore. Here are three options:

Do a Swap with Friends or Neighbors

Finally, if you have leftover items that you haven’t been able to sell, you might want to consider swapping with others. You won’t make money while decluttering this way, per se. However, if you can get rid of something you don’t want in exchange for something that you do then you’re getting a good deal.

Donate to Charity

Another way that you can declutter is to donate items to charity. Again, you won’t make money per se. However, you can deduct your charity donations on your taxes. Therefore, it can have some financial gain.

Gift the Items

If you have items that are in good condition, start thinking about who might love them. If you can “shop your storage” for gifts instead of buying items at a store then you effectively save money.

What decluttering trick do you know that would help others? Share it in the comments below!

Is Target Closed On Memorial Day 2020?

May 20, 2020 By Kathryn Vercillo Leave a Comment

Every holiday, people wonder if their favorite stores are going to be open. For example, they want to know if Target will be open so that they can pick up last minute Memorial Day supplies. Usually, the answer for Target is yes. But, considering the impact of COVID-19 restrictions, is that still true this year? Is Target closed on Memorial Day 2020?

Target Is Usually Open on Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a federal holiday. Therefore, certain things are always closed on Memorial Day. For example, schools and post offices don’t typically stay open on holidays like Memorial Day. But shopping stores are different. In fact, big stores like Target love to stay open on federal holidays.

After all, since many employees of those other places are off of work for the day, it means that there are more people potentially out shopping. Memorial Day and other similar holidays are huge shopping days. Stores, including Target, do usually stay open. Historically, Target has always been open on Memorial Day.

Will Target Be Open or Closed on Memorial Day 2020?

So, why would this year be any different? Well, even if you know that your local Target store is typically open on Memorial Day, you might wonder if COVID-19 restrictions have changed things this year. After all, some businesses aren’t open at all right now. In many states, there are big limitations on stores. So, is Target closed for Memorial Day 2020 even though it’s usually open for the holiday?

No, Target is not closed for Memorial Day 2020.

Target is open for Memorial Day 2020.

Memorial Day, which is Monday, May 25, 2020, could potentially be a great shopping day for people who need to pick up summer items.

Is There a Memorial Day Sale at Target?

Stores like Target often have big Memorial Day sales. After all, this holiday is basically considered the start of summer. Many people typically celebrate by having big summer bashes including barbecues and picnics in the park. While that would be a great way to spend Memorial Day 2020, a lot of us aren’t going to have that option.

Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, we are still under shelter-in-place restrictions. We are allowed out and about and can enjoy the parks. However, groups have to stay small and practice social distancing. So there is some opportunity to enjoy Memorial Day in the park but it won’t be the big to-do that it may have been for you in years past. Nevertheless, you might still wish to pick up some Memorial Day supplies.

Or you might have a new type of celebration in mind. For example, if you have kids at home, this can be the perfect day to start making summer crafts together. Or you might just want to make a summer-inspired meal. Since many Target stores have groceries in them (which is one of the reasons that it’s considered an essential business and thus is allowed to stay open during coronavirus restrictions), you can certainly do that at your local Target store.

With that in mind, you might want to know if there will be a 2020 Memorial Day Sale at Target. Yes and no. Target has a Memorial Day sale on Home items including up to 40% off of some furniture. However, the Target Memorial Day Sale is online only.

How Target Has Responded to Coronavirus

Target, like all other businesses, has had to adapt their stores in order to accommodate COVID-19 restrictions. While some people find this annoying, the purpose is to keep staff and customers safe. Target has made some great efforts in this area. In fact, they contributed their largest-ever single relief donation of $10 million in response to the coronavirus crisis.

But what are they doing specifically in the stores that you should be aware of if you plan to shop there on Memorial Day 202o? Target’s coronavirus response includes:

Target Store Hours: Memorial Day 2020

Target doesn’t typically change their store hours for the Memorial Day Holiday. Therefore, you can expect store hours to remain the same as they have been in recent weeks. However, remember that this may differ from store hours prior to the coronavirus outbreak.

Target responded to COVID-19 restrictions with two big changes to their hours:

All stores must close by 9 pm. Stores that previously closed before that time still close at their normal hours. Stores that closed later all close at 9 pm now.
The first opening hour on every Wednesday is for high-risk shoppers, including the elderly, only. This allows them to shop safely.

Of course, the Wednesday at-risk shopping hours don’t impact Memorial Day shoppers. After all, Memorial Day is always on a Monday.

The shortened store hours allow Target employees to re-stock the shelves and improve cleanliness, sanitization, and safety throughout the stores.

Other Coronavirus Measures at Target

Other than the hours, here are some of the things that you can expect to see at Target if you shop there on Memorial Day 2020:

Staff are wearing masks and gloves and following all CDC guidelines for hygiene
Customers are encouraged (and in some states required) to wear face masks
A staff member is assigned to each store entrance to keep carts and baskets sanitized
Checkout lanes are rotated to reduce traffic at each one and are cleaned between each customer
Plastic partitions have been installed at checkouts and in other areas of the store such as the pharmacy
Overhead audio messaging as well as monitoring by staff members helps remind customers to practice social distancing
Customers can no longer bring their own bags into the store for shopping

Customers can also take advantage of the option to order contactless Drive Up pickup. So, if you want to get some things from Target for Memorial Day, but you don’t want to risk shopping in store, then consider that option.

Are Other Target Services Open on Memorial Day 2020?

Like Walmart and other big stores, Target has multiple services within the shop. For example, you can go to the pharmacy, grab a coffee at Starbucks, and check out the electronics section. However, things are different with COVID-19 restrictions. The Starbucks stores are closed right now. Fitting rooms are also closed, so although you can buy clothes, you can’t try them on in store. You can always call to check with your local store to find out what is and isn’t available there for Memorial Day 2020.

If you’re wondering whether or not Target is open for Memorial Day, then you might have questions about some other stores and services as well. Here are some links to help you find all of the Memorial Day store information you need:

Is Walmart Open On Memorial Day 2020?

May 15, 2020 By Kathryn Vercillo Leave a Comment

Memorial Day 2020 is fast approaching. With many states still sheltering-in-place, it’s certainly going to be a different holiday than in years past. Depending on where you live, you might not be able to have picnics and big gatherings on your day off for this federal holiday. However, if you can – or even if you just have some basic shopping to get done – then you might find yourself asking, “Is Walmart open on Memorial Day?”

Walmart is usually open on Memorial Day.

Memorial Day is May 25th, 2020. Will Walmart be open this year? Walmart stores, which often sell groceries, are essential businesses. Therefore the store has remained open during the COVID restrictions. They have made modifications to their hours, including offering special shopping hours just for seniors.

So, yes, Walmart is open on Memorial Day 2020. Stores are generally open from 7 am until 8:30 pm. However, if your local store typically opens after 7 am then the store will most likely open at its regular time. That said, you should check Walmart’s Store Locator or call your local store to confirm the hours that they are open for Memorial Day 2020.

How Walmart Has Changed to Keep Customers Safe in 2020

Walmart has implemented the following safety measures and changes in response to COVID-19:

Reduced store shopping hours to allow for safe restocking and sanitizing of the store
One-hour shopping for seniors age 60+ only on Tuesdays from 6 am – 7 am
One entrance and one separate exit to keep people from passing one another and to maintain social distancing
Floor decals to delineate proper six feet spacing
The store requires employees to wear face masks; they encourage customers to do so as well; sneeze guards installed

Of course, Walmart also offers curbside pickup. Therefore, you can order the items that you want for Memorial Day and then pick them up.

Are Other Walmart Services Available?

Most Walmart stores offer a variety of different services including nail salons and auto care centers. Those businesses operate separately from Walmart and have different hours. Moreover, they are under different COVID-19 restrictions. Therefore, many of those services are not currently available and so will not be available during Memorial Day 2020.

The Walmart pharmacy has remained open as an essential business. It is going to be open on Memorial Day 2020. People who have COVID-19 symptoms are asked to take advantage of no-contact curbside pickup, drive-thru or mail-out prescriptions.

The Walmart Vision Center is open very limited hours, typically 10 am – 2 pm, to help meet customer’s essential vision needs. For example, if you run out of contacts, you can still get them at Walmart during COVID-19 restrictions. Check with your local store to confirm that they are indeed open on Memorial Day 2020.

People who shop at Walmart regularly are often excited to take advantage of the store’s holiday shopping deals. Memorial Day is no exception. The store often has a big sale on summer items including patio furniture. The same is true this year. The store’s online Savings Spotlight page advertises “low, low Memorial Day prices” on a huge variety of items. Those items include tents, kiddie pools, and wicker furniture as well as many home and electronics items. Check Walmart online for what’s available at a discount in your area.

5 Ways Artists Are Making Money During Quarantine

May 14, 2020 By Kathryn Vercillo Leave a Comment

Artists have always been innovators. While there are certainly established paths for making a living as an artist, more often that not, artists have to work hard to cobble together a solid income. Therefore, it’s no surprise that many artists are making money during quarantine by getting creative.

In particular, many artists are pushing the boundaries of the online digital platform as a means of earning money while stuck at home during shelter-in-place orders. It is fascinating to see the direction art is taking right now, particularly where it intersects with small business and commerce. We could all learn by watching how artists are making money during quarantine.

Here are five key approaches I’ve seen so far:

1. Patreon

Patreon is one of the key platforms that artists use to earn money directly from their fan base. It’s been popular for several years now. I have an account, and although I only earn a little bit from it each month, it really helps my bottom line. I’ve noticed that more and more artists are taking advantage of Patreon as a means of making money during quarantine.

Of course, Patreon isn’t the only way that people drum up financial support from the people who know and love them. Some artists have turned to Go Fund Me or Kickstarter. The difference between the two is that supporters on Patreon commit to continued, ongoing monthly support whereas the other platforms are one-off means of generating a sum of money.

2. Online Performance Art

The means of making money during quarantine that I’m most fascinated by is the growing art of performing online for pay. Many of us have been more active on our screens lately, participating in meetings and celebrations via Zoom, House Party, Facebook Live, and Facetime. While we used these tools in the past, use exploded now that people are stuck at home. The way that artists are innovating in this digital space is fascinating to watch.

Increasingly, performers who can’t do their work in person are figuring out ways of making money during quarantine by performing online for ticket sales and/or tips. I’ve personally bought tickets to several online events and “attended” others that were offered free. For example, I recently went to a multi-room performance art event hosted by Vau de Vire Society, a group that puts on circus, burlesque, steampunk-inspired interactive performance art events in San Francisco. They took their skills online, and I was happy to pay for a ticket to check out the performances.

I also just watched a digital symposium hosted by SOMArts in which a number of different performers spoke about how they are taking their work online. For example, The Stud (a bar and artist collective in San Francisco that typically hosts in-person nightlife events) has begun hosting digital performance art through Twitch. Digital Drag also uses Twitch to create curated “live” streaming drag shows. Attendees pay for tickets, the performers get paid, and it’s also possible to tip any of the performers through their Venmo, Zelle, and other direct-pay accounts.

Seeing a performance on a screen is different from seeing one in person. Performing via screen is certainly different than performing for a live audience. But different doesn’t mean one is better and the other worse. Artists are innovating in very creative ways, making use of the digital space and the tools available for it to do new things that they couldn’t do on stage with their art. It’s not just a way of making money during quarantine; it’s a way to push creative boundaries that might extend into new forms of art in the future, even when COVID restrictions are completely lifted.

3. Hustling Up New Work

Working artists are good at the hustle. In other words, they are driven to create and in order to make enough money to create, they also work hard. Artists continue to do that today. Sometimes it’s in the same way as before, sometimes it’s in new ways. Some of the ways that artists I know are hustling up new work online include:

Opening up new online stores and/or refreshing stock in existing online stores
Refreshing blog content and working on getting ad revenue from their artist websites
Refreshing their resumes and coming up with new material to showcase on their websites as they look for new online freelance art opportunities
Freelance writing about their experiences as artists trying to make money during quarantine
Developing classes (or applying for existing work as art teachers) to teach others their skills
Self-publishing art and writing materials

4. Artist Grants/ Emergency Funding

Despite the fact that artists are innovating and hustling, many do find themselves without enough income right now. Luckily there are a lot of artist grants and emergency funding sources that people can apply for. Low-income artists, artists facing immediate emergencies, and artists in minority groups often get first priority. However, many of these grants are open to any working artist in need.

A few examples of some of the emergency grants and COVID-era funds for artists include:

Safety Net Fund for supporting artists in the San Francisco Bay Area
Artist Relief, funded by a coalition of grant makers
FCA Emergency Grants for experimental artists
Entertainment Assistance Program for actors
Craft Emergency Relief Fund for artists infected with COVID-19

5. Street Art and Mural-Making

While many of the ways that artists are making money during quarantine do take place in the digital sphere, I wanted to emphasize that there are still other options. For example, I live on a busy street in San Francisco. All of the retail stores have been boarded up for about two months since the shelter-in-place orders went into effect. Graffiti / street art cover many of those storefronts. While that doesn’t pay the artist’s bills, they do include their Instagram handles on the art images so that they can generate a following online which can translate to money down the line.

Moreover, some stores hired independent artists to professional paint the boarded-up windows. I particularly love seeing these pieces. They are big and bold. They add beauty to the street. More than anything, they are a nice collaboration between small businesses, local artists, and the community. Plus people pay the artists to do the work, which they can do while maintaining proper social distancing protocols. It’s a win-win way that artists are making money during quarantine.

What do you see as the most innovative ways for artists to make money during quarantine?

Use These 5 Steps to Make and Stick to A Budget

May 13, 2020 By Kathryn Vercillo Leave a Comment

Do you find it hard to make and stick to a budget? You aren’t alone. However, if you break it down into bite-sized chunks, then you’ll discover that it doesn’t have to be challenging at all.

I can almost hear your protests. I can hear them because I feel them stirring inside my own mind. The arguments are familiar to me because I have found it hard to make and stick to a budget in the past. For me, making the budget is usually easy; sticking to it is the hard part. However, as someone with inconsistent income, even making the budget can be hard.

Like I said, it doesn’t have to be. Here are five steps that can simplify for you how to make and stick to a budget. Step one, setting SMART Goals, is where you make the budget. The other four steps will help you stick to it.

1. Make Your Goals SMART

The first step in budgeting your money is figuring out why you want to do this in the first place. Then you can set goals that align with that vision.

Why Do You Want to Budget?

Some of the most common reasons that people want to budget include:

Desire to save money towards a specific goal, such as a family vacation
Desire to save money more generally for the future, to have a cushion
Awareness that spending has gotten out of control, wanting to rein that in
A budget can assist you in feeling like you have more control over your finances, so that they aren’t a mystery
You and your partner aren’t on the same page about finances but you want to be

Set SMART Goals

Once you know why you want to make and stick to a budget, then you can set very specific goals. Use the SMART method:

Be Specific

You can work on the “S” of smart goals at the same time that you’re working to determine exactly why you want to make and stick to a budget. Answer the “what and why” details. For example:

“I want to make a budget so that I can be free of debt. Why? Because I find debt to be incredibly stressful. If I am able to reduce my spending and use the extra money to reduce my debt, then I will feel freer.”

Alternatively: “I want to budget so that I can save $10000 for a family vacation in Europe in three years. I want our family to have this memorable experience together without the strain of going into debt for it.”

Get as specific as you can to help you really drill down to the meat of the goal.

Make Goals Measurable

Now it’s time to apply numbers to that goal. How much do you want to save? What is a realistic amount to budget for each necessary expense in your life?

For example, “My rent is $1800 so I need to budget that much for rent. I currently spend $1000 per month on food. However, I can budget $600 instead. I will set the other $400 into savings.”

Alternatively: “I want to go on vacation in three years, which is 36 months. If I want $10000 by then, I need to adjust my budget so that I can save $275 per month.”

Is Your Budget Achievable?

This is where you marry your goals and dreams with your realistic financial situation. In other words, this is where you make a budget. You list all of your expenses. Go through your financial history to get a realistic sense of what you spend each month, not just on set items (such as utilities and your phone bill) but also on miscellaneous (such as entertainment and clothing).

Analyze what you spend and what you earn. Look at your budget goals and see if you can make the numbers work out. For example, in the case of the three-years-away vacation described above, can you adjust your budget to save that $275 per month? Most likely, yet. If not, then you might need to tweak your goal. You could plan for a vacation that is four years away or you could reduce the amount you would like to have within three years.

Make sure that you make your budget work on paper. That’s the only way you have a chance of making it work inn real life.

Are Your Goals Relevant?

If your goal isn’t truly in line with your personal values then you’re not likely to make a budget and stick to it. Saving for a family vacation is relevant if you all enjoy traveling and you believe that such experiences are valuable individually and collectively. It’s worth it to you to stick to your budget because you believe in the larger goal it will allow you to accomplish.

If, on the other hand, you don’t actually enjoy traveling but you think you “should” because it’s “good for the kids” then you might self-sabotage your budget without intending too. Go back to the “why” that you looked at earlier and make sure that the answer aligns with all of your loftier ideals in life.

Place Time-Boundaries on Goals

As you set the specifics of your goal, you will want to limit it with time. The aforementioned three years of saving is a good example.

You can set time boundaries even if your budget goals seem looser. For example, “I want to create a budget that will allow me to save money so that I have a cushion for the future.” Make that more specific. How much do you want to have? By when do you want to have it? How can you break down that budget into annual and monthly goals?

For example, “I want to retire at 65 with $500,000 in my savings account. I am 35. That means I need to save $500,000 in 30 years, which is about $16,700 per year or $1388 per month.” This lets you know that you need to set a budget that will allow you to save $1388 within a one- month time frame.

2. Write Out Your Goal and Post It

Use the SMART method to create your budget. If you need additional help with the specifics of analyzing your finances in order to create this budget, here are some helpful links:

Once you have established your budget, write it out. Make it like a mission statement. Couch it in affirmative language. Then post it where you will see it regularly.

You might want to post it in several places. For example, a bullet list of the steps you plan to take makes a great phone screensaver. A paragraph about why you’re budgeting goes well on an index card that you use as a bookmark. Get creative. Where will you see the plan most frequently and how can it most motivate you to action?

3. Review Your Progress Regularly

The visible reminder from step two will help you stick to your budget. However, you should build in additional accountability. Therefore, you should review the goal regularly. Check your progress against the goal. Ask yourself if you need to make any adjustments. (You can always go back through the SMART steps if you do.)

I like to do a weekly quick check-in with my budget. Then I do a bigger review at the end of each month. This helps me stay on track throughout the month. It also helps me plan out the next month in the best way possible. I may discover that I can’t stick to my $600 food budget, so I will rework my budget accordingly in order to still meet my goals.

4. Reward Yourself for Success

Make small goals within the larger goal. Each time that you achieve one, reward yourself. You do not have to spend money to reward yourself. Keep a running list of things that give you great pleasure. When you meet a goal, choose at least one thing from your list and indulge.

This step is especially great for families or couples trying to stick to a budget together. Instead of nagging and annoying each other into compliance with the financial restrictions of a budget, you can use teamwork and encouragement to achieve your shared goals. Celebrating together will build momentum and keep you working towards the goals together.

5. Get Back on the Budget Horse When You Fall Off

Are you the type of person who plans to diet, then the second that you “cheat” you just go into a total binge? Many people do this when it comes to budgeting. You work hard to set the budget goals. You restrict your spending to see the budget. Then something happens and you slip. You over-spend. It feels like you’ll never get back on track, so you stop sticking to the budget altogether. This doesn’t make sense.

With a diet, let’s say that you ate a piece of cake which went over your caloric budget. Does it make sense to then just add a whole bunch more calories on? Will it feel good to your body to quit the diet altogether and eat all of the foods that are worst for you? No. You ate the cake. Enjoy it. Then move on. Get back to the diet. Eat the way you intended starting with the very next meal. Likewise, overspending once doesn’t mean you should keep spending. Go back to the budget. Start with it right away, as soon as you realize that you slipped up. Don’t berate yourself, shame yourself, guilt yourself, or avoid the truth. It’s all okay. Get back up on that budget horse and ride it to your goal.

What is the biggest challenge that you have had when it comes to learning how to make and stick to a budget?

Where Did My Stimulus Money Go? And Will We Get Another Payment?

May 8, 2020 By Kathryn Vercillo Leave a Comment

I mentioned recently that I had been wondering where my stimulus check was? I ended up receiving it in the mail. Apparently since I file my taxes through TurboTax, the government didn’t have my direct deposit information on file. I was grateful to receive that stimulus money. However, I live in the state of California. That money is already long gone. Here we are in a new month and, like many people across this nation, I’m wondering if we are going to receive another payment.

Stimulus Money Goes Further In Some States Than Others

As most of you are well aware, the government issued stimulus money for many citizens in response to the COVID-19 financial challenges. Individuals earning less than $99,000 (or couples earning less than $198,000 combined) were eligible to receive the first round of stimulus money. The amount was $1200 for many people with a smaller amount for those earning between $75,000 and $99,000. Parents received additional small payments per child.

I am grateful that I received that $1200. There are some people who still have not received that first stimulus check. I was lucky to get mine. I needed it for bills. But the fact is that $1200 goes a lot further in some places than in others. This money is supposed to help people pay their rent and other bills. My rent for my one-bedroom San Francisco apartment is nearly $1900. That’s a lot lower than it would be if I had moved into my place more recently; I’ve got rent control in a spot I’ve been in for over eight years. Nevertheless, you can do the math. $1200 in stimulus money left me $700 short of rent. It certainly didn’t leave anything for other critical bills.

The States Where Stimulus Checks Stretch Most and Least

I am fully aware that I live in one of the most expensive cities in the country. In fact, the cost of living is high across the whole state. In a report from USA Today, California ranked second in a list of places where stimulus money goes the least far. Other states where a $1200 stimulus check doesn’t even cover the average rent or mortgage payment include Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Hawaii.

In states where rents are lower, people can get by better with the $1200 (or $2400 for couples plus $500 per child). The five states where stimulus checks will stretch the furthest are Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, West Virginia, and South Dakota.

Will Americans Get More Stimulus Money?

The government acted quickly in the face of COVID-19 to get billions of dollars in checks out to American citizens. But, as the numbers above suggest, it might not be enough. Many people, particularly in states where the money doesn’t stretch so far, aren’t sure how to keep paying the bills. In states that continue to shelter-in-place, a large percentage of people simply can’t go to work. That leaves a lot of us wondering if Americans are going to get more stimulus money.

Chances Are That Yes, We Will Get Some Type of Help

There is a lot of conflicting news about whether or not we will receive additional stimulus money. Lawmakers are extremely divided about if, how, and when to release a second stimulus check. That said, most reports indicate that some type of additional assistance is likely in the near future.

Just what that looks like remains unclear. Generally speaking, Democratic leaders are in favor of issuing more stimulus money and doing so quickly. In contrast, Republican leaders are calling for a slower approach, releasing less money perhaps to fewer people. Overall, it’s starting to look like the next round of assistance may take a form other than a direct check to Americans.

Suggestions on the Table for More Stimulus Money

Here are some of the suggestions lawmakers are considering when it comes to giving Americans more stimulus money:

$2000 Per Month

Two different proposals exist that would give Americans earning less than a certain amount the right to receive $2000 checks every month:

California’s Ro Khanna and Ohio’s Tim Ryan are calling for anyone over age 16 earning less than $130,000 to receive a $2000 check every month during the pandemic
Michigan’s Rashida Tlaib and Washington’s Pramila Jayapal have proposed the Automatic Boost to Communities Act which would give every American $2000 per month throughout the duration of the pandemic. Moreover, it would give $1000 per month to every American for one year after the pandemic ends.

Many Americans would love to see these suggestions enacted. However, as of the writing of this post, Republican leaders aren’t on board with giving out this much new stimulus money. In fact, they don’t want to give out direct stimulus checks at all. Therefore, these monthly checks seem increasingly unlikely.

Stimulus Check Tied to Payroll Tax Cut

President Trump is calling for a payroll tax cut. In other words, he wants to give a tax break to businesses as part of the next round of COVID-era relief. Some reports indicate that he supports indicate that he may be willing to support a direct stimulus check to individuals (amount unknown) if it is tied to a payroll tax cut. Other reports indicate that he wants to discuss a payroll tax cut first, leaving the direct stimulus check out of the conversation.

Expanding Aid to States

Increasingly it seems that the conversation is turning towards expanding other aid programs including money from the federal government to the states. Even the Democrats are turning their attention to the immediate need for further assistance with food stamps and unemployment funding. Many argue that this money is as critical, if not more so, than a second stimulus check. Moreover, it’s likely to receive more support from Republicans than a call for more direct stimulus money.

What to Do While We Wait to Find Out More

Things are up in the air right now. We simply don’t know if we are going to get more stimulus money. We can’t count on it. So, what should we do in the meantime? If you are struggling to make ends meet during COVID-19, review all of your options for relief. Check with your lenders about mortgage forbearance, skipping a month of payments, and other hardship options. If you qualify, apply for unemployment assistance and food stamps. Hang in there. The lawmakers are working on it, despite the fact that they are divided on how to proceed.