11 things that have fallen in price or become free during a pandemic

The coronavirus has quickly changed daily routines for millions of Americans. Many were fired or suspended from work. Therefore, saving is very important. Oddly enough, despite the rise in prices for hand sanitizers and toilet paper, some things have become significantly cheaper due to the pandemic, writes Money Talks News.

Photo: Shutterstock

From home workouts to food delivery and car insurance, you can get many things for free or very inexpensive right now.

1. Virtual entertainment

People surf the Internet to chat and peer into the outside world using online services at home. There are many free events on the web right now.

Try the new streaming video service or take an exciting virtual walk anywhere: from museums и aquariums to the botanical gardens and operas.

2. Delivery

Stores are temporarily closed to customers, but many are still operating online. Some—including REI, Sephora, Staples, and Walgreens—are even offering free shipping on orders with no minimum purchase for a limited time. You may even find free delivery for your prescriptions.

3. Required Minimum Distributions

The Coronavirus Federal Aid Act (CARES Act) has abolished the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from retirement savings for 2020.

RMDs are the amounts that US tax law requires annually to be derived from traditional retirement investment and employer-sponsored retirement plans. Thus, this one-time cancellation means that some pensioners will pay less taxes for 2020.

4. Petrol

Stay-at-home orders have caused traffic to plummet and millions of Americans have stopped driving. Therefore, gasoline demand is at its lowest level since 1968, and as of April 13, the national average price per gallon of gasoline has fallen up to 1,86 dollars.

On the subject: Taxes in 2021: 10 Important Innovations to Know About

5. Auto insurance

Car insurers also note changes in driving habits. Some of them, including GEICO and Allstate, offer discounts or reimburse policyholders for limited time insurance during a coronavirus outbreak.

6. Home training with personal trainers

Your local gym may be temporarily closed, but you can still exercise at home using your mobile device. Many gymnasium networks offer online classes, so go to your gym's website or social network.

If you want to try something new during a pandemic, Blink fitness и Planet fitness provide free homework on Facebook Live. Orangetheory Fitness publishes workouts on his YouTube channel. Life time fitness also conducts home workouts on his YouTube channel.

7. Promotions

The impact of coronavirus on the economy is reflected in several major US stock indices in recent weeks.

In early April, the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq were markedly below their February highs. While some of the losses have been recovered, stocks are generally much cheaper now than at the end of February.

8. Food delivery from a restaurant

Bars and restaurants are temporarily closed across the country to limit social events. But this does not mean that every dish should be cooked at home.

Some restaurants offer take-away and free delivery, while others work with services such as Grubhub and Postmates, which offer free delivery or free sample meals.

9. Loans

Expected that double reduction in the rate of the Federal Reserve System in March, dominoes will have an effect on various types of interest rates for consumers, which will ultimately make loans cheaper. For example, now the APR (full cost of a loan) for credit cards and mortgages is lower than a year earlier.

10. Flights

Global travel restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus have impacted the travel industry. As a result, airline prices fell. For example, airfares to the US in the first week of March fell by an average of 14%, while prices for some routes fell by 70%, according to a CNBC report.

On the subject: Hotels all over the world offer discounts on future bookings for tourists.

11. Federal Student Loan Payments

Under the CARES Act, federal student loan borrowers receive temporary break in payment principal amount and interest on the loan from now until September 30 - without penalties. Payment suspension occurs automatically, so you do not need to submit a request if you decide not to make payments during this time period.

This benefit does not apply to private student loans, but you can contact your service agent if you have any difficulties.

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Hotels all over the world offer discounts on future bookings for tourists.

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California restaurants will feed older people free on self-isolation

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