We could all use a bit of support these days — perhaps more than usual. Chances are you also have friends or family who could use a hand.
While it’s admirable to want to aid relatives, friends and neighbors through a rough patch, you must be careful not to overcommit — particularly if your own finances are fragile. Covering someone’s overdue bill or lending cash when you’re strained will only widen the difficulty.
Even if you’re short on funds, there are still many meaningful things you can do. Below are nine ways to assist loved ones without spending money.
1. Do Grocery Shopping for Someone at Risk
If a family member or friend can’t or shouldn’t go out, offer to take their list and payment and pick up groceries for them. Alternatively, guide them through placing an online order and then collect the items on their behalf.
If your shopping needs overlap, another choice is to buy in larger quantities and split the purchase. Buying bulk often lowers the per-item cost. Just be sure you have enough containers for storage.
2. Share Scarce Supplies
Giving someone toilet paper isn’t a joke these days — it’s a practical kindness.
With stores experiencing shortages of everyday items, you can help by sharing what you have extra of — whether that’s surplus disinfecting wipes for a friend or letting a neighbor borrow a cup of sugar.
If someone can’t find a face covering, offer to make a mask with materials you already have at home.
3. Deliver Meals or Coordinate a Meal Train
If you know someone who’s ill — from COVID-19 or another condition — or someone who’s struggling to prepare food, drop off meals at their doorstep so they don’t have to manage cooking.
To keep this support sustainable, invite others to participate and commit to delivering meals. You can organize meal rotations using a service like Meal Train or Take Them a Meal, or simply coordinate via a shared spreadsheet or calendar.
4. Check In on People Living Alone
Loneliness and social isolation can damage health — especially in older adults. Reach out to loved ones who are quarantined alone to remind them they aren’t forgotten.
Catch up by phone, plan to run errands for them together, or sit six feet apart in lawn chairs and chat.
5. Video Chat With a Loved One’s Children
Parents are stretched thin trying to work from home while keeping kids entertained and playing teacher.
Spend half an hour reading to your nieces or nephews, or talk with a friend’s preteen about amusing TikTok clips. Their parents will welcome the respite.
6. Act as Tech Support
Technology has helped us adapt during these difficult times, but not everyone picks up new apps and tools easily.
Share your tech knowledge with those who are less comfortable online. Walk your aunt through setting up video calls on Zoom. Show a neighbor your favorite online shopping apps.
7. Help Someone Looking for Work
If someone you know lost their job during this crisis, you can help their job search by passing along openings or introducing them to relevant contacts in your network.
You could also review their resume and cover letter with a fresh eye. Role-play as an interviewer in a mock interview so they gain confidence answering common questions and become familiar with video interview platforms.
8. Support Them on an Important Call
It can be intimidating to call a landlord, service provider or creditor to explain you can’t make a payment. Offer to be on the call with a loved one to provide moral support.
You can advocate for an alternative payment arrangement, or simply listen and take notes so your friend has someone to debrief with as they weigh their options.
9. Point Them to Free Financial Guidance
Sometimes professional counsel is necessary to help someone recover from financial setbacks. Accredited financial counselors, certified financial planners and credit counselors have been offering free guidance in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
You can also encourage worried family members or friends to submit their money questions to Savinly’s Dear Penny advice column by filling out this form or emailing [email protected]. Our on-staff CFP, Robin Hartill, offers thoughtful guidance as the voice behind Dear Penny. For more ways to give support without spending, see how to give to charity without spending money.
Emily Parker is a senior writer at Savinly.
