I was on an Experian CreditChat Panel and was inspired therefore wanted to share some of my tips here. During this time we are all trying to cope with this COVID19 pandemic and the new norms. Some of us have never gone through anything like this before so we are learning as we go along. We are all trying to stay safe by practicing social distancing and staying in and sort of be  quarantined. 

5 Things to do:
1. Offer help to those in need. If you happen to have extra be sure to share during  this time. Many people are suffering but some are not. Don't exhaust your essentials to give to others but if you have an abundance then consider sharing. If you do this, let the kids participate. 

2. Continue to budget your money. It is extremely important to monitor what you are spending. A budget or spending plan is the best way to do so. Here is a free, downloadable, budget sheet you can use BUDGET SHEET.  Budgeting is simple, write down all of your income and all of your expense and visit it regularly. Be mindful of dates as well. 

3. If needed, contact your mortgage, rent and utility companies and make arrangements. Only do this if this is necessary. 

4. Pay your credit card bills on time. If possible, pay the minimum balance and pay it on time. Paying on time is 35% of your credit score.

5. Spend more time with your family and BE PRESENT. What do I mean by that? Put the phone down. Play board games, cook, bake and organize closets together. Maybe each of you had a book and discuss the chapters as you go along. 

5 Things not to do:
1. Don't panic buy. Buy things you need for your specific household. Right now the stores are staying open so when you run out of things you will have an opportunity to go and get more.

2. Don't spend more than what you need. 

3. Don't sit around all day long in front of a computer and eat all day. Get up on move around and get fresh air. 

4. Don't over consume the news. Watch to be sure you are current but don't consume it more than you need to.

5. Don't open any new credit cards.

Finally, please don't panic and get fresh air daily. Also, If you are one that may get a stimulus check put it to good use. Her are a few ideas:

• Start your emergency fund, if you don’t have one
• Pay off your bills
• Invest
• Start a business. 

Please remember to continue with your budgeting. Here is a free resource BUDGET SHEET

Leave a comment and let me know if you would add to either list.

There is a lot of things going on in the world right now with the Coronavirus and have been trying to stay current and hope you are watching the news to get the most up-to-date information BUT don't over consume it - please find a happy balance. As I learn of breaking news I am making that available in the It'$ My Money Squad Facebook Group.If you are not a member, consider joining for free by clicking here. 

With so much going on it has clouded that fact that this is National Women's History Month. I am excited about the interviews I have had with a diverse group of fantastic women. They are sharing money stories and  tips to help all of you.

Below are the episodes that I have released thus far. 

Episode 42 - Saving your home from foreclosure 
A consumer protection attorney defines foreclosure, how to prevent foreclosure and what to do if it happens to you. She walks through the various stages and where you can find a consumer protection attorneys in your area.
Sarah Poriss is an attorney in West Hartford, Connecticut who has made a career of working with people who are in some kind of financial crisis. She helps homeowners who are behind on their mortgages or are in foreclosure, as well as counseling people who are overwhelmed by
credit card debt, and who want to improve their credit scores. She is the author of Got Debt? Dispatches from the Front Lines of America’s Financial Crisis, a book of stories of working with people in debt over the last ten years, which is available on Amazon.com.
Soundcloud - Eps42 | Apple podcast- Eps42 | Spotify- Eps42 | Stitcher- Eps42 | Pandora- Eps42

Episode 43  Why you should invest in real estate?
Monick shares why all should invest real estate. She talks about how and why she got started investing in real estate and how you can as well.
Monick Halm is the founder of Real Estate Investor Goddesses. She is an educator and advocate for female real estate investors, and has a mission to help 1 million women achieve financial freedom through real estate. Monick is herself a real estate investor and syndicator, and owns, together with her investors, over 1300 rental units across six states.

She is also a #1 bestselling author, podcast host, Real Estate Strategy Mentor, wife, and mother of three amazing kids. In 2020 she is fulfilling a long-held dream and spending the year traveling the world with her husband and daughter.

Soundcloud- Eps43 | Spotify- Eps43 | Stitcher- Eps43 | Apple podcast- Eps43 | Pandora- Eps43

Episode - 44 - Lessons Learned When Buying A Home
Justine is the Founder of a real estate education site called Live with Plum, which aims to be the home buying guide for the modern woman. The site was inspired by her personal experience buying in NYC and seeing how little resources there were for female home buyers. She lives in NYC and originally hails from Singapore. 

SoundCloud -Eps 44 | Apple-Eps 44 | Spotify- Eps 44 | Stitcher-Eps 44 | Pandora-Eps 44

To get an automatic notification of when future podcast episodes become available, subscribe to The Money Exchange Podcast on the platform for which you listen to podcasts.

Here are the links for easy reference:
Spotify | Soundcloud | Stitcher  | Pandora |  Apple

Enjoy!!!