Autumn often brings with it a downpour of rain. Although these rainy days may foster a sense of laziness for many, there are strategies to counteract this. In fact, embracing these days can even benefit your finances, given you approach it appropriately. Let us share a list of our nine favorite productive tasks you can take up during your rainy day, all of which could either boost your savings or expand your income, or even both at times!
1. TIDY UP YOUR WORKSPACE
In the current times, working from home has become a common trend, leading to dedicated home offices. However, this could add to the stress of work, particularly if the workspace is chaotic. By organizing your workspace, you can improve your focus and thereby accomplish more work in less time. Consequently, this productivity can enhance your income if you are a freelancer or give you more leisure time, further boosting your productivity. In essence, a tidy workspace can improve your productivity, leading to more income and a better life.
2. SORT OUT YOUR UNUSED ITEMS
Much like organizing, sorting out your unused items can clear mental clutter. Additionally, selling your old things can bring you some extra cash. Here are some steps to get started:
– First rule of thumb: any item unused for over two years should be let go.
– Finish one room at a time to avoid distraction and ensure effective decluttering.
– Separate items into piles to sell, donate, and trash.
– Figure out the most suitable platform to sell your items. Some popular ones include Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist or Poshmark.
– Sort the to-sell and to-donate piles into specific categories.
– Look up the selling price of similar items before you list yours.
This activity is personally rewarding as it leads to a more spacious, well-organized house and some extra income.
3. PURSUE A SIDE GIG
I have personally found side gigs to be quite enriching. They diversify not only your income but also your skillset. The endeavor may seem daunting initially, but the availability of various side gigs and the difficulty of choosing the one for you are the only real challenges. A rainy day could be the perfect opportunity to research diverse options if you haven’t taken up a side gig yet. If you already have a few, utilize the day to earn some extra cash while others are indulging in relaxation.
4. CLEAN YOUR PANTRY
Cleaning out your pantry is an effective strategy to save money. More often than not, our pantries contain a lot of unconsumed or expired food because we rarely organize them.
You can begin by emptying your pantry and discarding any expired items. Then, group the items into categories that cater to your cooking style. Put any items you know you won’t consume, but are still good, into a donation pile. This pile can go to a local food bank or family and friends who will use the items. Once you put the rest of the items back in an orderly fashion, you’ll have a clear view of what you need, avoid duplicate buying, and ensure efficient use of what you already have.
5. PREPARE MEALS IN ADVANCE
Following a pantry cleanout, preparing meals in advance helps save future time and thereby increases your overall productivity. To avoid wastage, use the ingredients found in the pantry that haven’t been used in a while. Then, meal planning comes into play, which can save you money and time in the long run.
6. REVIEW YOUR FINANCES
I personally love going through my budget. We even organize a weekly budget meeting. If you haven’t done a budget review lately, a rainy day is a perfect time for it. This is even more relevant during these uncertain times brought about by COVID-19.
7. SET A SAVING TARGET
While reviewing your budget, scrutinize your emergency fund. Determine if it contains enough to cover six months of your living expenses. If not, start asking yourself the tough questions about how to reach your preferred reserve level, be it by saving an extra $25 or $50 per week.
8. EXPLORE INVESTMENT OPTIONS
If you already have a solid emergency fund, considering investment options is a crucial step. Whether it’s individual stocks, real estate or 401k’s, the plethora of investment choices can be overwhelming and need thorough research, ideal for a rainy day.
9. REPLENISH YOUR SLEEP
Sleep deficit is a common theme in modern society. On a rainy day, catching up on some sleep can do wonders for your productivity in the long term.
A productive rainy day can assist you in building or saving money. Here are some strategies:
– Tidy up your workspace and earn more
– Sort out old stuff for extra income
– Pursue a side gig for additional finances
– Clean your pantry to save money
– Cook in advance for savings
– Review your budget for better saving
– Establish a saving goal for financial stability
– Explore investment options for more income
– Replenish sleep for improved productivity.
Although it’s impossible to do all of these in one day, you have plenty to choose from for many rainy days to come. Make the most of them for your future financial security.
What are your tips to make rainy days more productive?
