2020 was a real anomaly, and we definitely felt it in our financial lives.

Many people lost work and had to learn to function with less.

Some found themselves with a surplus of cash from stimulus checks and reduced spending due to shutdowns.

A couple over over their monthly budget in the kitchen of their home.

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Here are 11 notable things we learned about budgeting during a pandemic.

Enter: thebare-bones budget.

A bare-bones budget prioritizes only your absolute essentials, such as your rent or mortgage, utilities and food.

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Its designed to get your spending down to the lowest possible amount.

Our team has compiled alist of creative waysyou can fatten your bank account this week.

This is a long list, so dont get overwhelmed.

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Go ahead and start now, but be sure to bookmark this post so you could easily return later.

Well keep it updated as offers changes or expire.

These tips onhow to cope with less incomecan help you deal with your changing circumstances.

As the pandemic stretches on, here are someconsiderations parents should make before taking a career break.

How to Embrace Frugality

2020 has forced many people to spend less money and become more frugal.

But its not an easy switch for everyone.

Youll get the benefits of this popular budgeting method without actually having to carry around cash.

Know How to Negotiate With Your Landlord

Housing costs are often our single largest household expense.

While eviction moratoriums have kept renters in their homes, they arent a permanent solution to the problem.

Neither is avoiding the letters and phone calls, hoping they go away.

Instead of immediately blowing it on what you want, think about what youneed.

Are you behind on any bills?

Is your emergency fund nonexistent?

What big expenses are on the horizon?

If youre a pen-and-paper or spreadsheet budgeter, thats fine.

Then, youll have no reason not to know where your moneys going.

We go to marriage counseling to better our relationships with our spouses.

But too often, we see our money issues as problems we need to work out on our own.

Prepare financially for lifes ups and downs bydrafting multiple versions of your household budget.

Having these budget alternatives available means you might seamlessly adjust to various financial situations.

Nicole Dow is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.

Probably not as good as youd like.

It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.

But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?

Ask one of these companies to help…