Everything has rapidly changed since the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown in many nations. Economies have been negatively impacted, with individuals having to adjust to the new norm. Family life, work-life and social life have taken a different direction with individuals adapting to online communication methods. Spending quality time with family and friends while enjoying a restaurant meal is next to impossible. Quality time has been converted to Zoom meetings and to spend most of the day in the house. We can hardly participate in sports or even enjoy a movie at the theaters like we used to.

The best excuse for leaving the house and enjoying the fresh air is exercising. Unfortunately, the lockdown has made us slaves to indoor activities, negatively impacting our mental and physical well-being. With many individuals looking for the slightest excuse to get out of the house, it is critical to ensure you don’t over-exercise. My dog, Tsarina, at times feels like she has had more than her fill, and after long walks, she usually just sits down.

Exercising can help your physical and mental health. What about your financial health? Let’s delve into the five easy things to get you on track financially and make the most of lockdowns with some good financial planning in Melbourne:

• Go through your bank accounts – take time to go through your bank statements to identify anything you do not recognize or do not want to subscribe to. This way, you can do away with unnecessary stuff and remain with only relevant expenses.

• Budget – it can help you save substantially by trimming impulse buying and expenditure. Understanding where your money goes helps you work out a balance between your income and expenditure. Take time to research and talk to a slew of experts on financial planning Melbourne for better budgeting solutions.

• Compare your bills – spending more time in the house means having more utility bills regarding electricity, water and other house bills. Comparing your bills allows you to understand how much more you may be paying and develop the right solutions to curb the situation.

• Start saving – the best way to start saving is to begin without having a specific goal in mind. Once you capture the rhythm, it becomes easier to continue saving. With as little as $50 monthly, you can work towards offsetting some of your loans. With a savings habit, you can develop financial goals towards financial freedom.

• Talk about money matters – as much as talking about money is taboo to many, it is a topic we cannot avoid. Talking about money helps you to understand better how to manage your finances. Incorporating top experts in financial planning Melbourne can help you develop appropriate financial strategies to get you through the lockdown.