The pandemic period has taught us that emergency funds are very important. Therefore, we need to be very careful, especially in using the salary obtained from daily work. Because, even until January 2021, the situation could still be said to be uncertain. Many companies still have to survive desperately to survive. Maybe the company you work for is one of them. So it's a good idea for us to be more careful in managing our income. Don't let it happen that because we're not good at managing money, we have to experience difficulties.

In this uncertain situation, rather than wasting money, saving is certainly much better. After all, wanting to build a business is also very difficult. Not only are there more and more competitors, but people's purchasing power is also getting lower, unlike other days outside of the pandemic. So it feels almost impossible if during this pandemic you change gears from being an employee to becoming an entrepreneur. Eits, don't be pessimistic just yet. In times of crisis like this, this is the right time to open a business. More risky? Definitely. However, the risk of failure is the same as the risk of success, 50%. But if you don't try, the risk of success is 0%. Come on, which one do you choose?

Why do we need to save?

Saving does require discipline. However, with strong determination, saving is not a difficult habit to implement. Many people have been helped during this pandemic crisis because they have savings. Maybe there are many around you too. If you don't know that saving has many benefits, read the explanation below.

1. Helps in emergencies.

Emergencies are always unexpected. Therefore, when this occurs, the funds required are usually not part of the regular budget. There will be pressure to find additional funding at very short notice. This problem can get worse if the emergency is a sudden illness or car accident. This could be a matter of life and death. Accumulated savings can help alleviate the situation. The patient will immediately receive the necessary treatment.

Other emergencies that can be financed through savings are funeral costs, urgent home repairs and even car repairs. That said, such emergencies usually require large sums of money. If someone lacks the necessary funds, they can consider applying for a personal loan with a licensed money lender in Singapore. This will help ease their finances for now.

2. Lifesaver in case of sudden job loss

Losing a job is usually traumatic. It can put the family in a big crisis. Saving can be a lifesaver when you suddenly lose your income. It is usually very difficult to borrow money when one does not have a job. Therefore, those who have not been wise enough to save will literally drop to zero after losing their job.

3. Help pay for vacations.

Since the advent of social media, many of us have become a hobby of going on holiday, at least once a year. However, this is usually not possible due to lack of funds. Having accumulated savings can make your dream of going on vacation come true. Families and friends can enjoy time of rest, relaxation and bonding together. Using savings for a vacation is a much better option than going into debt.

4. Prevents you from getting into debt.

Having some savings can help someone limit the amount of debt they have. Savings can be used to finance certain expenses instead of using a credit card. This will definitely limit the amount of debt obligations and will also save the amount that could be spent on interest. Savings also help one to avoid taking out emergency loans when urgent situations arise, further limiting existing debt.

5. Gives financial freedom

The accumulated savings give him peace of mind and help him enjoy financial freedom. There is comfort in knowing that there is a buffer than can be used if funds are urgently needed. This is different from those who live from one paycheck to the next. They are quickly trapped financially if unexpected costs arise.

6. Help prepare for retirement

There are short-term benefits, there are also long-term benefits from saving. One of them is having funds available for retirement. Many retirees who rely on pensions usually don't have enough money to meet all their needs. Getting into the habit of saving a small portion of one's income over several years can accumulate into a very large retirement fund. This will make retirement much more comfortable.

7. Preparation for children's education costs

For those of you who are married and have children, further education costs are not a small expense and require preparation. Accumulating savings will enable a person to finance their child's education or continue their own education without having to seek funds from other places (borrow right and left).

8. Help make dreams come true.

Having savings can be the first step to owning your own home. Saving can also pave the way for having the wedding reception you dream of. Saving is also a very appropriate way to own your first car. We can't rely on other people for things like this, right? That's why saving would be a better option because family and friends may not have the required funds.

9. Helping you raise business capital.

From this point, maybe you can get the idea that saving and opening a business is not an option. But this is a process. What this means is, to build a business, you definitely need capital, even if it's a little. At least to buy tools to support your business. So, where can you get this initial capital? From saving, bro.

Is it wise to open a business in times of crisis like this?

Many feel afraid of having to do anything in this uncertain era like now. However, in fact, many new businesses were born during this pandemic and were successful. So, there's no harm in considering building a business at this time.

Moreover, there is Qasir, an application that supports your business by making transactions, digital payments and recording easier. You can even use Qasir's services for free, so it doesn't burden your operational costs.

Based on research from the National Pension Savings Bank (BTPN), Jenius shows that some people who are digitally savvy actually started their businesses during the current corona pandemic. The goal is none other than to increase your steady income every month.

Not all of their income is intact. Of the 267 respondents, 49% admitted that their income was constant, even though there was a corona pandemic. Meanwhile, 44% of them admitted that their income had decreased, and uniquely the other 7% had increased.

The research also showed that 24% of respondents whose income was fixed challenged themselves to open a small business to anticipate future risks. However, there are also another 11% who do not open a business, and work as usual and little by little improve their lifestyle and financial management so as not to be wasteful during this pandemic.

What's more interesting is that 42% of respondents whose income had decreased actually took the courage to open a business. The percentage is much greater than people whose income is fixed. Not infrequently, 22% of respondents also increased their income by becoming freelancers and 145 others actually reduced their expenses.

So, for those of you who want to open a business during the pandemic, there is a bright spot. So, what kinds of businesses are suitable for you and can be undertaken at this time?

Recommendations for new businesses with personal capital

You must be curious about what businesses can be run during a pandemic? Yup, there are lots of businesses you can get involved in, from culinary businesses, home clothing, services, to businesses that support health protocols such as selling masks and hand sanitizers.

Come on, scroll down, who knows, you can start one of these businesses now!

1. Culinary Business

The government's appeal for us to stay at home during the pandemic will inevitably have to be obeyed. All activities that are usually carried out outside the home, such as work or school, must be carried out at home. Bored with the walls at home, many people are looking for "entertainment" by ordering food or drinks via online motorcycle taxi applications. You can use this opportunity to start a culinary business.

There are many culinary business options that you can choose from. Starting from making home-cooked catering, cakes, to soft drinks. Still confused about what business to do? You can start from culinary trends that are developing on social media, for example Dalgona Coffee which has gone viral on social media, then there are also liters of coffee with milk, sweet foods such as dessert boxes, frozen foods which can start from dumplings, meatball tofu, dim sum; tempura, then there is also mentai salmon, beef sei, peach gum, Korean garlic bread which tastes delicious, and even businesses that sell ready-made seasonings.

Not only that, if you are really good at cooking, you can also open a packaged food business in the form of ready-to-eat side dishes, such as rendang, balado shrimp, which can be frozen and then cooked again at a later date. A business like this certainly won't be devoid of buyers. Especially if the buyer has to stay at home and doesn't have special cooking skills.

Wow, that's really exciting, isn't it? Come on, what culinary business do you want to start?

2. Try Online Shop

Apart from competing with various culinary businesses, you can also try out the online shop business, you know. With an online shop business, you no longer need to think about renting a shop. Just open a business on social media that fully supports small and medium businesses, such as Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp for Business, you can open an online business.

Then what businesses can you sell when opening an online shop? That must be what's on your mind, right? There are many choices of products that you can sell, from clothes, masks, medicines and vitamins. Want to be more specific and unique? You can start by opening a home clothing business such as pajamas and unique ornamental plants that are currently popular.

To maximize your online business, try creating a catalog on your website via the Qasir application. The button also goes directly to your marketplace and social media. Apart from that, through Qasir's website catalog, you can more easily receive online orders from your customers. So that you don't get confused, let's download the Qasir application right now!

3. Become a Freelancer to Earn Extra Money

Do you have any extra skills that would be a shame if you didn't use them? This is a good opportunity to open additional work, BossQ. What skills can you use for additional work? You can start from style director, photography, video editing, graphic design, surveyor, article writer, digital marketing, web design, influencer manager, makeup artist or other skills.

Don't have a network that can invite you to this business? Just calm down. You can look for side jobs on websites that can provide you with various projects that suit your skills. Whatever your skill, you can make yourself a contributor there. Chop chop, BossQ.

4. Stay Fit by Becoming a Fitness Trainer

Recommendations for maintaining health during a pandemic are very important to do. Even though gyms or yoga places are closed, that doesn't mean your enthusiasm for exercise has to be extinguished. So that your fitness, Zumba or yoga routine continues and can even be more profitable, you can open a fitness class even at home.

It's not difficult to get started. You just upload several types of exercise videos that you usually do at home to your social media. The video themes can be varied, one theme that you can try is "Workout From Home." You can channel videos in various ways, from using the Zoom application, YouTube Live, or Instagram TV.

After your followers already know about your amazing skills. New, you can promote opening streaming fitness training services. You can sell tickets via online ticketing or a special website that provides various class options. If you are starting to be known by many people, you can also increase your opportunities by providing private classes that can come from house to house.

5. Spread Knowledge with Online Learning

More skills and broader insight, it would be a shame if they weren't shared. For those of you who are really good at public speaking, don't miss the opportunity to open online learning. Whatever your skills and insights, you can share them with others. Not only can you give, you can also broaden your horizons by sharing solutions while discussing new cases submitted by participants in your class.

Online learning also takes various forms. Some are in the form of interviews or questions and answers. You can of course do these two concepts on YouTube Live, Instagram Live, or Zoom which can make you actively interact with each participant. You can even maximize the features in each application which can make your class even more exciting.

Not only that, you can also create podcasts. If you are starting to feel confident with the material you provide, it's time to start making paid podcasts. Let's start looking for online learning concepts, themes and topics that you want to have. If so, also download the Anchor or Spotify application to introduce your class content more widely.

How are you doing, BossQ? Do you have any idea about what kind of business you want to start during this pandemic? Whatever your business, don't forget to always download Qasir. Because only with Qasir, you can maximize your business. There are many premium features that you can take advantage of. Starting from help creating a business website, printing orders, integrating with online motorcycle taxis, even managing employee attendance.

So, what are you waiting for? Immediately decide what other business you want to run during this pandemic.

Whatever your business, don't forget to record all your income and expenses. You also need to create separate accounts for your business money and personal money. Don't forget to be disciplined in monitoring sales reports regularly. To be able to do all that, no, you don't need to immediately have an assistant or special employee. You just download the Qasir application here.

The Qasir application is an application that allows you to manage your business with the help of technology for free. Your shop can even accept non-cash digital payments. Really cool, right?

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