5 ways to learn how to save more, invest smarter, and be better with money while you're stuck at home

As we try to stay healthy, support the professionals working to help us, and flatten the curve with social distancing, we can also work on ourselves.
Consider using some of your time to learn tips for saving , paying off debt , dealing with a down market , planning for retirement, and more via online discussions, content, and courses.
Read more personal finance coverage .

"Your grandparents were called to war. You're being called to sit on your couch. You can do this." And so went one of the many coronavirus memes in my Instagram feed. These messages can help us laugh instead of cry, and there can be truth to them.

As the world's leaders issue guidelines and mandates to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus and staff at hospitals, grocery stores, research labs, and more work to fight the effects of COVID-19 infection and give us access to supplies many of us are spending hours and hours at home. Teleworking. Social distancing. And Netflixing. (Let's be honest.)

As we try to stay healthy, flatten the curve , and support those working to help us, we also can work on ourselves. So check out these online resources to build personal finance skills. You could learn a few new money moves and stave off financial stress, too.

Fireside chats with Ramit Sethi

You may know Ramit Sethi as the author of I Will Teach You To Be Rich and founder of the corresponding website that teaches people how to use psychology and systems to have what he calls a "Rich Life." Now, the online business owner is running a series of nightly fireside chats via his Instagram account.

Tune in nightly at 8:30 pm ET for free, live tips on money, business, careers, and psychology. Past topics have included how to handle money during stressful times, how business owners can deal with the novel coronavirus, and how to work from home. Perhaps you can follow along with a fireside tonic of your own.

Office hours with Ellevest

This built-by-women company seeks to help other women reach their financial goals and have the tools to take control. These days, team members also are rounding up advice about "financial self-care and living life through these times," as CEO Sallie Krawcheck wrote on March 17.

If you have concerns about income loss, the current stock market decline, or the state of the economy, visit the Ellevest website for timely resources and tune into the Ellevest Instagram account to learn about scheduled, live Q&A sessions where you can ask all of your most pressing money questions.

Purdue Universitys Planning for a Secure Retirement course

If you've been feeling tempted to prematurely pull from your retirement account, try not to panic. Remember that market fluctuations including contractions and subsequent expansions are part of investing. Then focus on your long-term goals.

If retirement is an area you can fine tune, consider logging into this online course from Purdue University, which includes learning goals, activities, and sources for more info.

You'll find 10 self-paced modules that cover topics ranging from when you'll be ready to retire to what to know about options for retirement if you're self-employed. And if you're avoiding new expenses, this course is completely free.

Dave Ramseys Financial Peace University

This online class from author and money-management specialist Dave Ramsey (and his team) offers nine lessons on paying off debt, starting an emergency fund, investing for the future, and more. The class also gives you access to a budgeting tool and an online community of people who are saving and working to get out of debt.

If you have cash to spare, start your annual membership for $129.99. If you prefer free content, cruise through the site for tools to help with budgeting, taxes, and insurance, and to learn Ramsey's seven baby steps for building wealth.

LinkedIn Learning courses

With LinkedIn Learning , you can find more than 15,000 courses on a variety of subjects. But it's the investing content that may catch your eye, especially if you know the potential benefits of a down market .

For instance, the Understanding Capital Markets beginner course teaches about stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other capital markets in a little more than two hours.

If you're more intermediate, consider the Managing Your Personal Investments course. Running about an hour and a half, it offers info on building a balanced portfolio as well as adviser options.

Or search for other topics, including how to teach children about finances (to loop in any little ones snuggled next to you).

The first month is free; thereafter, the fee is $29.99 monthly, or $19.99 monthly with an annual commitment. At minimum, you can exercise your mind for the next few weeks.