Obviously we're living in very uncertain times right now but it’s especially daunting for video producers whose industry is built on social interaction. As we move towards stabilizing, here’s a few tips to save money.

Don’t fall for the instant gratification mindset!

Don’t buy new gear, seriously for what?

Retail therapy is a real thing especially for video producers who are isolated at home. Plus there's a lot of discounts on eBay and Facebook marketplace which can be super tempting. There's actually a Canon C200 going for 4,000 bucks on eBay which I was eyeballing. But no one knows exactly how social restrictions will effect our business. So buying discounted gear right now is risky, unless you have some kind of remote work lined up that would pay for it. Maybe your live switching some kind of remote webinar or getting paid to create some explainer videos at home. Those are good reasons to get the right equipment. But outside of that, don't tie up your money in physical assets right now. Keep everything liquid because cash is king.

I love my Ready Rig Pro GS gimbal stabilizer setup. But if I don’t use it a few times a month, it’s gotta go.

Sell your old crap, you are never going to use it again.

As video producers we tend to obsess constantly about our gear. I'm totally guilty of this as well. But over the past few months, I've taken small steps towards minimalism by selling off unwanted video gear. Selling off unwanted stuff has two very clear benefits right now. First, selling your crap should generate a little side income. Second, you can deposit that money into your emergency fund. Remember we're in a global pandemic right now so don't look at just making a profit. Be reasonable with your selling price and understand that we're all in this together. Maybe someone will hopefully use your unwanted gear to get back on their feet. That's nice sentiment isn't it?

The Crockpot and Air Fryer are the best quarantine cooking appliances. No cap.

Cook your own damn food.

Now everyone's situation is different, but stocking up on groceries can last for weeks. If you're healthy and not dependent on food delivery, consider making limited trips to the grocery store and stick to your grocery list. Don't shop when you're hungry or you'll end up impulse buying. I use the free Reminders app on the iPhone to create folders that are ordered geographically to the sections within the grocery store that I'm shopping at. Try it and I promise you you'll will end up saving money.

Remove your chargers from the wall. They trickle energy AND money out of your bank account.

Turn off your damn electronics.

With so much remote working, most will see an average 12-15% increase in energy usage. But even that average is dependent on various factors such as how many people you live with and their habits. Maybe you're using that time to edit or hold virtual meetings but your roommate is watching Netflix for 10 hours. While the increases may seem minimal, any extra costs could be an added financial burden especially for video producers. Here's some good habits for energy savings. Unplug your phone or laptop adapter. Most chargers use energy even when they aren't connected to a device. Use a power strip or smart plug to stop power flow to your camera and computer gear. If there's enough natural light in your room, open the blinds and turn off those fancy RGB lights because no one actually cares about that stuff right now.

FOMO: Anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on a social media website.

Limit social media flexing, we get it, you're bored.

This tip is not really about saving money but it is about saving your mental health. Take a look at your social media accounts and count how many posts are flooded with COVID themed "content". The more quarantine "content" we engage with encourages the creation of said content in ever-increasing amounts. It's a vicious cycle. We have a tendency to evaluate our own isolation relative to how our friends and neighbors are isolating. It's like a contest of who finally built that backyard deck or who finally learned to play Mozart's Piano Sonata in D Major. Nobody actually cares. It's easy to fall into the trap of chasing quarantine likes in small doses throughout the day which end up adding to a few hours. Why not put those hours to be different. Call you friends and family on a regular voice call. Remember those people who you haven't spoken to in months because you're too busy with hashtag setlife? Yeah, those people. Call them up.

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