With more people finding themselves as a part of the long-term unemployed, it is a good idea to brainstorm ways to survive financially if you lose your only source of income. Thinking of ways to save money or find necessities for free can help you stay afloat, even if you lose your accidents at work claims or no longer qualify for unemployment benefits. But this means more than just cutting out weekly trips to your favourite coffee shop. Here are five effective ways to save money whilst you are in between jobs.

Call your creditors. Many people think it’s enough to send an email when they deal with creditors. Or, even worse, they fall into the “online chat” trap when they visit websites for information. Whether you’re trying to lower your credit card bills or your balance for utilities, you will fare better if you try to negotiate your monthly payments by talking on the phone with a live representative.

Supermarket shop smarter. Remember to stay away from tempting displays when you head to the supermarket for necessities. It also helps to make a list of what you need to buy before you step foot in the store. Furthermore, you can take advantage of savings through online coupon codes that you can scan directly from your phone and also by signing up for rewards clubs sponsored by the supermarket you frequent the most often.

Look into deferring your payments. In addition to negotiating a lower rate for the bills that you owe, you may also be able to put off some payments altogether. Whilst this is never a good idea for someone who is able to pay their loans, it can be a short-term survival tool if you’ve recently lost your job and are looking for work. Student loan administrators are especially likely to allow you to defer payments when you hit hard times.

Trim your budget temporarily. It can be a hard thing to give up the amenities that you’ve grown used to, but expenses such as cable television, a smartphone and dining out can put an unnecessary strain on your finances that is only made worse by your loss of income. And getting rid of these monthly expenditures now enables you to keep the ones that you really need, such as utilities and an internet connection that allows you to job search. Cutting these expenses now becomes easier if you remind yourself that these are only temporary changes.

Use resources for the unemployed. Whilst you are searching for a new job, set aside a little time to research free resources for the unemployed, too. You may find programmes aimed at providing nutritional assistance as well as community health clinics that offer free services if you find yourself in need of them.