I first want to start by acknowledging that 2020 was a difficult year for many of us. The coronavirus pandemic took the world by storm and many of us suffered in its wake. Whether that was through getting the virus, standing on the (socially distanced) sidelines while loved ones were ill, job loss, financial worries, poor mental health, or something else, the virus has impacted many facets of our lives – largely in a negative way.
We’ve entered a new year, and the pandemic is still in full force. But many of us are slowly beginning to adapt to living in new ways that help to slow the spread of the virus and keep us all safe. If anything, this past year has taught us to be grateful for what we do have in life.
While, we may still find it difficult not being able to live life to its usual extent, there is still so much to be happy for. Life without climbing, exploring the hills, or simply brunching with friends and seeing loved ones has been hard for me. But, I also appreciate all that I do have in life – health, a roof over my head, a job I love, and a partner I love by my side.
Sure, I have my moments where I feel exacerbated by living a subdued, restricted version of the life I’m used to. But if you’re feeling down about this, try to put a positive spin on it. If we can’t do much, that means that many of us are saving money. If we’re saving money, we can start putting it aside for things we can look forward to in the near future.
Since going freelance, I’ve recognised the importance of having some “security” funds. If you are in a position to save money, now could be a great time to start putting some money aside. Whether you’re saving for a rainy day, a big investment, or just in case of emergencies, having a savings pot can help you feel at ease.
Here are a few suggestions of big investments you could start saving for today. Hopefully, it will add a silver lining to the clouds in your sky and help you find some solace whilst you ride the crashing waves of these unprecedented times.
Holiday
Most of us are yearning for a holiday and can’t wait for all of this to be over so that we can start planning travel again. We were lucky to have the chance to spend a few days in an extremely rainy Betws-y-Coed in August. But we’re also looking forward to the day when we can safely travel abroad, explore someone new, and enjoy a spot of sunshine.
Sure, borders may be closed or travel may be advised against for the moment, but this can’t last forever. There will come a time when we can travel again. So, now’s the perfect time to start thinking about your dream holiday destination and determine how much it would cost to go there.
Consider flights, accommodation and spending money. You can then create a savings pot and start putting money into it. I have a feeling the price of travel will increase by time all of this is over. But who knows? By the time it’s safe to travel again, you might have enough to book and get away to somewhere new!
Car
Having a car puts you in a privileged position during these current times. It allows you to get from A to B without having to come into contact with anyone else. So, if you’re without a car, now may be a good time to start saving towards one.
Alternatively, if you’re like me, this past year may have made you realise that you don’t need a car. Since going freelance and working from home, I no longer need to commute on the motorway five days a week. Pair that with no longer going anywhere other than the supermarket once a week, I’ve realised that there really is no reason for me to have an expensive car.
So, I’m currently in the process of getting my car fixed up and looking brand new so I can sell it and save some pennies. why not start saving towards one? If I decide further down the line that I could benefit from having my own car, I’ll get a cheap and cheerful car that gets me from A to B. With that said, I do like the idea of one day owning an electric vehicle!
Buying a car is a personal choice – you might be happy with a budget car or you may have your eye on something more expensive. If your dream car is on the higher end of the scale, it’s always worth looking at approved Used dealerships such as Bentley Approved Used to see if you can get one for a better price.
Either way, browse prices and determine how much you will need to buy one – and don’t forget about additional expenses such as insurance, petrol and car tax. Then, again, create a savings pot and start putting cash away in it.
I use Monzo to create savings pots for all of my future investments. The best part is you can even set it up to round-up your purchases and put those extra pennies in your savings pot. It’s a great way to save money without noticing.
House
Buying a house is a big investment, but now could be the time to get the ball rolling with it. If there’s one thing the pandemic and multiple lockdowns has made me realise, it’s how much I long to live close to the fells, woods, and outdoors. So, we’ve slowly been working through the list of jobs for on the house and squirreling away our pennies in the hope that we can move somewhere that’s a little bit closer to the nature.
Whether you’re buying your first home or you’re looking to move to a new home, you’ll have to make sure you’ve got enough money saved for a deposit. In the past, a deposit of 10% of the property value has been a sufficient amount. However, there’s a chance these may be harder to get in a post-pandemic life so you may need to save more than you initially planned.
When it comes to house deposits, you’ll have to consider your income to determine what size mortgage you are likely to be approved on and then determine the size of the deposit you’ll need. I know that being newly self-employed could make it harder for us to buy a house. But I’m keeping my spirits high and I figure we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Until then, we’ll keep working on the house and putting money aside for the day when we can move to a little house surrounded by mountains, woodlands and not-much-else.
If, like me, you aren’t planning to save money to move or buy a house, there are plenty of high interest savings accounts specifically to buy a house, such as LISAs, that you could look into.
These are just a few ideas to get the ball rolling. If you want to save for something else, then go wild. Saving can be a great way to add some positivty to your life and see the light at the end of the monotous tunnel. Whatever you decide to save for, make sure you set up some savings pots to help make the saving process easier. Even if you only afford to save £5 per month, it’s a great place to start.