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You have to do it yourself.

If there’s one lesson to be learned from the financial devastation wrought by coronavirus in 2020, let it be this: Help is out there, but it’s not just going to come to you.

This year, you can take that literally. As Americans who’ve spent the past few months social distancing are well aware, at the end of the day you’re on your own. And though there are a range of relief programs available to the millions who’ve been knocked off course financially, nearly all come with the same string attached.

“You have to ask for it — and ask the right way,” as Liz Weston of NerdWallet recently put it.

Under the federal government’s stimulus act, for example, if you’ve been affected by COVID-19 you have the right to take an “accommodation” from your credit card issuer, which can include waived late fees, lower interest rates, or even the ability to skip payments — without negatively affecting your credit report. But in order to get that accommodation, you have to do the legwork by calling your credit card issuer and asking for it.

Likewise, the same law gives you the right to request a forbearance on a federally backed mortgage for at least 180 days, meaning you can skip payments without accruing late fees or additional interest. Those payments might be due in one lump sum at the end of the six months, or you might be able to tack them on to the end of your term — but again, you have to call your lender and ask.

It’s not just government programs. In March, Ally Bank’s auto financing division said it would give new customers a break on their first payment for 90 days. Bank of America said it would defer loan payments and add them to the end of the term. TD Bank said it would waive fees for cashing out CD accounts before full maturity. But in each case — you guessed it — you had to call and ask.

The government is adding an extra $600 to weekly unemployment benefits through July. That’s automatic … if you can manage to get benefits in the first place. Getting through to state unemployment offices has become a Herculean effort as archaic systems suddenly get swamped. In fact, relatively few relief programs were automatic. Stimulus checks were, within certain income limits, as were forbearance programs for federal (but not private) student loans.

Otherwise, it’s on you. And in a way, personal finance experts say, that’s how it’s always been. No one is going to look after your finances the way you would — not a broker, a CPA, or financial advisor. And certainly not the government.

“That was my goal when I opened up the Suze Orman Financial Group: to make people as independent from people like me as possible,” says the personal finance author and podcaster Suze Orman. “When I started my firm, [my clients] had to go to Charles Schwab and open up their own account. They would pay me an advisory fee. I didn’t manage money — because I wanted them to understand that they could manage their own money.”

“If you want to find the best financial advisor in the world, look in the mirror,” Orman says. “Because nobody’s gonna care about your money more than you.”

Orman says she hopes those who have been forced to dig themselves out of a financial hole this year won’t forget how hard it is — and strive to put themselves in a position where they don’t have to depend on other people next time.

If you’re ready to take control over your money this year, here are 50 expert-approved places to start.

With reporting by Kara Cutruzzula. Illustrations by Elisa Faye.

Check Out Credit Counseling Services Illustrations by Elisa Faye You don’t have to wade through a difficult financial situation on your own. Whether you have a large amount of high-interest debt or simply want advice on budgeting and saving, a certified credit counselor can provide you with free or low-cost one-on-one advice. Commonly offered through nonprofits, credit counseling is a low-risk option that helps you get a clearer view of your financial situation. Consolidated Credit launched Shutdown Hotline, a free phone service that offers debt analysis and referral to COVID-19-specific resources. And the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) is also offering free credit counseling services devoted to assisting people in light of the pandemic. Read more

Crunch Your ‘Survival Number’ Many people are buckling down on saving right now — how low can you go? To determine your “survival number,” add up all the monthly costs of your bare minimum essentials: rent, food, health care, etc. You don’t necessarily have to live on your survival budget, and calculating one doesn’t mean you’re embracing a scarcity mindset. In fact, there’s power in knowing how resourceful you can be, writes NextAdvisor contributor Jully-Alma Taveras, creator of the YouTube channel Investing Latina. Jully-Alma’s survival number is $581; use her downloadable spreadsheet to figure out yours. Read more

Open a Bill Account This is ideal if you often find yourself paying your bills late or getting into debt. Sierra Howard of @IDontDoBudgets recommends creating a dedicated bill account by calculating all your fixed monthly expenses and adding a $50 cushion (to avoid overdraft fees). Set up a separate checking account, make a monthly direct deposit into it for the total amount, and put your bills on auto-pay from this same account. Consider it off-limits and for bills only.

Fix Mistakes on Your Credit Report New this year: The three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — are allowing you to check your credit report for free on a weekly basis until April 2021. Make the request at annualcreditreport.com, then take 15 minutes to run through your credit report and make sure your information is correct. About one in 5 consumers has a mistake on their credit report, according to a Federal Trade Commission report from 2013, and some errors will cost you extra money on loans or insurance policies. Plus, with new debt forbearance options being extended due to COVID-19 hardship, there’s even more reason to do an accuracy check. Those accommodations should not be reflected on your report as derogatory. If you find a mistake, use our email template to fire off a complaint; the credit bureaus will be legally mandated to investigate it. Read more

Set Up Banking Alerts If you avoid looking at your account balances because it stresses you out, you’re missing out on an opportunity to be more intentional with your spending. Sometimes it’s better to let the information come to you: Go to your online banking platform and set an email or mobile alert for every credit card charge or account debt. You may spot expenses you didn’t even know about, like recurring subscriptions.

Try a New Budgeting Strategy Chances are, your budget went out the window this year. Whether you’ve taken a hit on income or shifted your spending habits under lockdown, it’s probably a good time to check in on your finances. One tactic worth trying: zero-based budgeting. It forces you to designate a purpose for every dollar you earn, so it’s a great way to reset your intentions around saving and debt management. “Broke Millennial” author (and NextAdvisor contributor) Erin Lowry says it’s particularly useful for people with irregular income. Read more

Hit Pause on Your Mortgage It’s something to consider — with caveats. The CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) has made it easier for most homeowners to enter forbearance programs, essentially suspending or reducing mortgage payments for up to a year, without damaging their credit scores or incurring special fees. Those with federally backed mortgages can go down this road by calling their lenders, but you should know about the tradeoffs first. Interest will still accrue and you will need to make up missed payments in the future. Read more

Apply for Expanded Unemployment Benefits Unemployment benefits are a crucial safety net in times of crisis. For the first time, many self-employed workers, independent contractors, and part-time workers are eligible for benefits, thanks to the CARES Act’s provision for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). The stimulus package also added an extra $600 weekly benefit to any eligible claims, though that’s set to expire at the end of July. Filing for benefits can be tricky and time-consuming, especially since states are catching up on a backlog of applications. If you think you’re eligible, we recommend filing online and being prepared with the necessary information. Read more

Quit Smoking Everyone knows it’s an expensive habit, and COVID-19 has given us a new incentive to keep our lungs healthy. In the U.S., the average price of a pack of cigarettes is $6.28. Use this calculator to determine how much money quitting will save you weekly, monthly, even after 20 years, based on how many cigarettes you smoke a day and the cost of a pack in your area.

Call Your Lenders Illustrations by Elisa Faye If you can’t afford to pay your bills right now, it pays to be proactive. Many credit card issuers and lenders are working out deals with people who have lost income due to the pandemic, and experts say it’s in your best interest to be transparent about your situation before you fall behind. Call your lenders, explain your circumstances, and ask about any hardship programs they have in place. They might lower your interest rates, allow you to skip or defer payments, or pay later with additional interest, all of which are better options than skipping payments altogether. Liz Weston offers useful talking points here. And as Ron Lieber at the New York Times recommends, document your conversations to make sure your lenders follow through on what they say.

Get Help with Home Buying Believe it or not, the housing market is still churning, and many Americans are moving forward with their dreams of becoming first-time homeowners. If that’s the case for you, consider whether there are any special loans, grants, or assistance programs you can take advantage of. We talked to Olivia Bernard, a 23-year-old who bought her first home in Georgia in part thanks to multiple assistance programs. Check out this list of resources, which has links to first-time home buyer services in every single state. Read more

Get a Balance Transfer Credit Card If you’re having trouble paying down your credit card debt because the interest portion is high and you have good credit, you might be a candidate for a balance transfer. Many of these cards offer an introductory 0% APR, meaning you can give yourself time to pay off the debt without interest. Due to the impact of COVID-19 on the economy, credit card issuers are a bit nervous about extending credit, making access and incentives less available than before the pandemic. But if you’ve got a high credit score (around 670 or higher), it’s a financial tool worth considering. Be aware this move often comes with fees: It can cost between 3% and 5% of your balance to transfer your debt to the new card. Read more

Redirect Your Savings How different are your spending habits today compared to six months ago? With many recreational activities ruled out because of the lockdown, one smart tactic is to take all the money you were spending on a gym membership, eating out, travel, and social activities, and funnel it into a high-yield savings account or paying down debt. Not only will you get a better sense of where you want to spend your money again when you’re able), but you’ll feel like you accomplished something when your favorite activities do return.

Build Your Emergency Fund This one’s important. Building a savings cushion is a fundamental step toward financial wellness — one that can protect you in tough times and help you grab opportunities in good times. This year’s sudden unemployment crisis shows us not only how useful an emergency fund is, but how hard it is to achieve. Don’t be overwhelmed, though. Start small with a goal that feels reasonable to you. Putting even a few dollars away every month for the future can become a lifeline during extreme circumstances. Check out our emergency fund guide for more inspiration. Read more

Refinance Your Mortgage Homeowners: If you have job security and expect to be in your home for more than a few years, now could be the time to take advantage of low mortgage rates. The government has lowered both short- and long-term interest rates to encourage investments and keep the market stable. These rates give homeowners the opportunity to lower their monthly mortgage payments, adjust their loan term, or get a fixed-rate mortgage instead of a variable-rate mortgage. Don’t be afraid to shop around and compare rates from various lenders to make sure you’re getting a good deal. And don’t rush it — low interest rates are here to stay for a while, experts say. Read more

Follow the Experts Make your screen time a bit more productive by adding a dose of money inspiration to your feed. Danetha Doe has one mission: to elevate the self-worth and net worth of women. NextAdvisor contributing editor Farnoosh Torabi answers questions and interviews notable guests three times a week on her podcast “So Money.” And Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche says she has helped more than 800,000 women save more and pay off debt.

Return One Item Look around your house or apartment. Is there anything you recently purchased that you haven’t opened or used because it wasn’t quite what you imagined or needed? Don’t let it sit there. Fill out the return form to get your money back, then arrange to have it picked up or drop it off at the post office if possible. There’s no point in eating the cost of something you’re not going to use.

Borrow From Your 401(k) — But Only If You Have To This is usually a big no-no, but tough times require tough moves. Taking money out of your 401(k) or other retirement account can pull you off track from your long-term goals and lock in market losses, but personal finance experts say it can be a better move than taking on unmanageable debt right now. That’s partly because the calculus has changed in 2020, with federal stimulus legislation waiving the usual steep penalties that come from tapping your 401(k) early. Read up on the new rules and see if this is the right move for you. Read more

Check Your Subscriptions Illustrations by Elisa Faye Maybe you signed up for a cable channel for one sporting event, or subscribed to an online program when you needed to learn a certain skill. But are they still relevant to your life now? A quick scan through a credit card bill can help you discover any recurring subscriptions and monthly payments that you no longer need. Take a few minutes to cancel them and consider all the money you’re saving.

Stay Away From Credit Repair Companies Building good credit is essential to your financial health, and poor credit will cost you. So it might seem tempting to hire a credit repair company that promises to do the work of repairing your credit score for you. Many such companies have stepped up their advertising outreach during the pandemic. But beware: These companies aren’t worth the cost, and you can do everything they promise to do by yourself — for free. Read more

Choose a ‘No-Spend Day’ This is easier than you think, especially if you’re spending a lot of time in your home. Pick one day of the week where you commit to spending zero dollars — no ordering takeout or buying anything online. If all goes well, repeat the following week.

Upcycle Something in Your House If you want to cut back on shopping, you can still get creative. The Instagram account @upcyclethat features tutorials to transform everyday or discarded objects into something new.

Get Credit for Your Work Your credit report follows you for life, and it tracks your financial history in obsessive detail. Then, banks use the information on your report to calculate your credit score, a three-digit number that determines what kind of terms you’ll get on financial products like mortgages or insurance policies. Before the stakes are too high, like when you’re applying for a car loan, get familiar with how your credit score is calculated. The formula’s not a secret, and with enough time and patience you can manipulate it. Plus, the same behaviors that will boost your credit score are also likely to get you in better financial shape. Read more

Join an Online Community Sometimes it’s helpful to know that other people are going through a similar situation. The free online network Ladies Get Paid has thousands of members offering help on finding a job or looking for a mentor, and NPR’s Facebook community Your Money or Your Life features advice from members on saving and investing.

Funnel Your Transportation Cash Subway ridership in New York is down 92%, which means thousands of people are saving money usually spent on their daily commute — as much as $127 per month, if you typically buy a 30-day MetroCard. The same goes for car-friendly cities, too. Rather than spend that savings elsewhere, take the money usually spent on gas or public transportation and earmark it for a future use.

Choose the Right Bank Account Saving money is hard. Don’t make it harder by using the wrong type of bank account. Your four main options are a savings account; a checking account; a certificate of deposit, or CD; and a money market account, or MMA. Check out our guide to choosing the right one, which is all about finding the optimal balance of interest rate, liquidity, and fees. And remember you can use a mix of accounts that suit your goals, such as CDs for a future down payment and a high-yield savings for an emergency fund. Read more

Get Obsessed With Online Books Your bookstore or local library might be closed, but their digital resources aren’t. Many library systems are connected to apps like OverDrive and Libby, which allow you to check out digital books from home — for free. Plus, signing up for a library card has never been easier and can usually be done from home.

Spend Your Credit Card Points If you have a rewards credit card that racks up points with every dollar spent, now may be the time to cash them in. Maybe you were saving those points to redeem on a big trip — but if that no longer looks likely, you can instead use them to shop on your Amazon account, spend them at other stores on necessities you would have bought anyway, or even get cash back.

Use the 5-Second Rule Illustrations by Elisa Faye One trick to move forward on your money matters is to use the “5 Second Rule” created by author and talk show host Mel Robbins. It’s simple: When you have an instinct to act on one of your financial goals, Robbins says you have to do it immediately — or else your brain will find a way to shut it down. So if you want to be proactive, count backwards: 5-4-3-2-1. When you reach “1,” take action. Check your accounts, look at your taxes, resist the impulse purchase. Counting down and giving yourself that window of time can distract you from worries and excuses.

Finish That Course You Already Bought Maybe you wanted to learn a new skill or finally committed to buying the Malcolm Gladwell MasterClass six months ago, but then never actually started it. Now’s the time, according to Tonya Rapley of @MyFabFinance. You can calculate what you already spent on the course, and tell yourself you’re getting that money back — plus new knowledge — when you complete the course.

Check Out High-Yield Savings Accounts The current national average savings rate is a measly 0.07% — but you can earn 10 times that by choosing a high-yield savings account with an online bank. If you’re fortunate to have some savings, or you’re working on building them up, consider moving that cash to a high-yield online savings account such as the ones offered by Ally and Marcus by Goldman Sachs. Your money will still be relatively accessible, but it’ll earn much more interest than it would in a traditional bank account. Compare your options, taking care to find the highest interest rate without any monthly maintenance fees or minimum balances. Read more

Consider a New Student Loan Schedule If you have a federal student loan, your payments have been suspended from March 13 to September 20, 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis. This temporary relief can be extremely helpful if your income has gone down. Keep in mind that in most cases, interest will keep accruing even while you sit out payments. If your income hasn’t been affected in recent months, and you can afford it, continue making payments. And if you need your payments to be more manageable in the long term, you can talk to your loan servicer about an income-driven repayment plan, in which your monthly payment is based on your income — and in some cases can be driven down to $0.

Become a Contact Tracer Increased testing and tracing are two strategies for preventing the further spread of COVID-19 — and contact tracing is one of the fastest-growing jobs right now. It involves calling people who came into contact with confirmed positive patients, checking symptoms, and referring them to nearby resources. Qualifications vary by state and can range from having a high school diploma to a college degree, but tracing is usually fully remote and ranges from $17 to $22 an hour. Take this free course offered by Johns Hopkins University and look up the job requirements in your state.

Work on Your Estate Plan Nobody likes to talk about death, but you’ll do yourself and your family a huge favor if you get your affairs in order while you’re healthy. If you don’t have a will or other estate documents, consider doing it now. Working with an attorney to draw up basic documents can cost between $500 to $1,000, advises CBS News business analyst and NextAdvisor contributor Jill Schlesinger — or there are online services like Quicken WillMaker & Trust, which costs around $90. Think of it as the smartest money move you can make for the future. Read more

Negotiate Your Cell Phone Plan How much data do you use per month? How many texts do you send? The cell phone plan you signed up for two years ago might not be as relevant to your life today. Log in to your account, check your usage, and call — yes, call — your cell phone company to negotiate your bill or adjust your plan. Knocking even $10 off a month will add up.

Talk to Your Landlord Typically, this isn’t the most enticing idea, but when rent takes up an average of 35% of your income, it’s a good place to look for savings. If you’re renting and plan to stay through your lease, or possibly extend, and you’ve been a model tenant so far, try asking the owner to knock some dollars off your rent. With many people plotting to move elsewhere or outside bigger cities, they might rather keep a good tenant than risk searching for a new one. You’ll gain even more leverage if you team up with your neighbors and negotiate as a group.

Make Your Contributions Count If you’re donating to a nonprofit or social justice organization like the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, try to make your money go even further. Many employers have a charitable match program — if they do, your money could go twice as far. Ask your HR department if you can’t find any details. Plus, keep an eye out on social media, because some generous individuals are offering to personally match donations if you share a screenshot of yours.

Avoid These Home-Buying Mistakes If you’re thinking about buying a home in the near future, get educated on the money traps you might face. Putting down a small down payment, buying a house you can’t afford, failing to get a preapproval, getting the wrong kind of mortgage … there’s a lot to look out for. That’s why we asked Chris Hogan, author and personal finance expert, to walk us through the eight most common mistakes that first-time home buyers make. Read more

Buy a Bike With public transportation seeing record low ridership during lockdown, many are turning to alternate forms of getting around. Consider investing in a bicycle — not only can it save you money when it comes to subway fare or putting gas in the car, but it’s a cheaper form of exercise than a gym membership. Fair warning: Other people have had the same idea, and many bicycle companies are reportedly backlogged.

Find a New Go-To Cheap Meal Illustrations by Elisa Faye Sick of canned beans? Follow @budgetbytes on Instagram for delicious recipes that are also budget-friendly, like this“pizza” pasta salad, blackened shrimp tacos, or mushroom broccoli stir fry.

Trade In Your Electronics If you’re in the market for a new phone, don’t forget about the one you already have. Apple has a trade-in program that offers up to $500 credit for certain devices, which can be used on a new purchase or as future store credit. You can also trade in an old computer for credit via the Apple website or, starting mid-June, in Apple’s retail stores. The trade-in program extends to tablets and watches, too. For other phones, Verizon offers a trade-in program, as does T-Mobile.

Automate, Automate, Automate If you have a pang of fear every month and ask yourself, “When’s the credit card due? Is my electric bill paid? How much should I put into savings every month?” do yourself a favor and automate most – if not all — of your online bills and investments. Setting up automatic payments once will save you time, energy, and — yes — money every month (those late fees add up). Just make sure you’re adding enough cushion to your checking account to avoid any overdraft fees.

Sell Your Old Stuff If lockdown encouraged you to go through your closet, you can list and sell some of your old clothes on a site like ThredUp, which calls itself the world’s largest online secondhand shopping destination — and recently partnered with Walmart to expand its e-commerce resale options. If you have more than just clothes, LetGo is another marketplace where you can connect with buyers.

Check in on Your Retirement Plan “With so many other pressing financial demands — combined with living through a global pandemic and likely recession — it’s completely understandable why you may scoff at the notion of retirement,” writes Erin Lowry. But ignoring this situation now will only make things harder in the future. Assuming you’re able to meet your essential needs right now, Lowry breaks down a few smart tactics for keeping your retirement planning on track. Read more

Charge More No, not on your credit card. If you’re self-employed, a small business owner, or a freelancer, take a hard look at the rates for your services. When’s the last time you increased them or gave yourself a raise? Not all industries are down this year—if you have clients who are weathering the recession, consider starting the conversation. This applies to full-time workers too. Budgeting and saving hacks will get you far, but earning more will truly power up your finances.

Do Your Taxes This year, Tax Day was postponed until July 15, giving people a little extra time to pull together their documents and file. But if you’re still putting it off, don’t wait: Since a majority of people get refunds every year, think of it as money waiting to be received.

Nail Down Your Emergency Fund Target Every single expert says you should have an emergency fund. But once you dig into the details, there’s a lot less agreement. Should you sock away $1,000? Three months of expenses? A year of expenses? The truth is that the answer depends on many individual factors, like your job security, your goals, and even your age. We polled 11 different personal finance experts for their recommendations — and got 11 different answers. See which emergency fund target is right for you, and let that number be your guide as your work toward your savings goals. Read more

Stop Betting on the Lottery The average American spends nearly $70 a month on lottery tickets and betting pools, according to research released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics last year. For older Americans, that figure is even higher: up to $132 per month. If you’re one of the people driving up those averages, compare the long odds of hitting the jackpot with the guaranteed interest rate you’d get on that money if you put it into a high-yield savings account.